Sources tell FootballScoop tonight that, following the departure of Green Wave offensive coordinator Will Hall to become the new head coach at Southern Miss, Willie Fritz is expected to bring in Chip Long as his new offensive coordinator.
Long, who is currently serving as an offensive analyst at Tennessee, is the former Notre Dame offensive coordinator under Brian Kelly from 2017-19.
Long is a close friend of outgoing Green Wave offensive coordinator Will Hall. The two have similar offensive philosophies.
Prior to his time at Notre Dame, Long spent a season as the offensive coordinator at Memphis in 2016.
As an assistant coach, Long had stops at Arizona State and Illinois working with tight ends, and as a graduate assistant on staffs at Arkansas and Louisville. under Bobby Petrino.
After Notre Dame's disappointing 4-8 season in 2016, Long was brought in from Memphis to revitalize the offense. In his upper 30's, Long has already been a finalist for the Broyles Award, awarded to the nation's top assistant coach in college football during his time with the Irish, where they compiled a record of 32-6 while Long was calling the offensive plays.
Sources tell FootballScoop Fritz is making this move now to seek to build upon the offensive success and strategy the Green Wave has established.
Tennessee has two remaining games on the schedule, December 5th vs Florida and December 12th vs Texas A&M.
Stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.
Update> Pete Thamel has now followed our report with the same information.