--TIM DREVNO RETURNS TO USC FOOTBALL STAFF AS RUNNING BACKS COACH/RUNNING GAME AND PASS PROTECTION COORDINATOR
LOS ANGELES--Tim Drevno, the offensive coordinator at Michigan the past 3 years after serving as an assistant at USC in 2014, is returning to the Trojans’ football staff as the running backs coach and running game and pass protection coordinator, USC head coach Clay Helton announced today (March 5).
“We are very excited to welcome back Tim to the Trojan Family,” said Helton. “Through his experiences with elite college program and in the NFL, he has gained a reputation as a great teacher and he has grown his expertise in both the run game and pass protection. Adding Tim to our coaching staff will help continue the success we have had offensively and will help us reach our goal of winning a national championship.”
The 48-year-old Drevno, who has 27 years of coaching experience, spent 2014 as USC’s running game coordinator and offensive line coach. That season, USC produced a 1,000-yard rusher (Javorius Allen) as the Trojans eclipsed 2,000 rushing yards as a team, while center Max Tuerk made All-Pac-12 first team and offensive guard-tackle Toa Lobendahn and offensive guard Viane Talamaivao were Freshman All-American first teamers.
The past 3 years (2015-17) at Michigan, Drevno coordinated the offense and was the offensive line coach. Each season he was there, the Wolverines rushed for more than 2,000 yards. In 2017, 3 Wolverines rushed for at least 500 yards, a program first since 1991. In 2016, Michigan ranked 11th nationally in scoring offense (tops in the Big Ten for the second consecutive year) and scored at least 40 points in 7 games.
Before his first stint at USC, Drevno served as the San Francisco 49ers’ offensive line coach for 3 years (2011-13). In 2013, tackle Joe Staley and guard Mike Iupati made the Pro Bowl. In 2012, all 5 of the 49ers’ line starters were selected for the Pro Bowl and Iupati was an All-Pro first teamer. The 2011 line led the way for running back Frank Gore to become the franchise’s all-time leading rusher. The 49ers advanced to the playoffs in each of Drevno’s seasons, including winning the NFC West title his first 2 years and capturing the NFC championship in 2012.
Prior to joining the 49ers, Drevno was an assistant at Stanford for 4 seasons (2007-10), the first 2 years handling the tight ends and the last 2 seasons coaching the offensive line. His line allowed just 13 sacks during those 2 years, ranking second nationally both seasons, while opening holes for a ground attack that set a school rushing yardage record in 2009 while ranking 11th nationally (218.2). Center Chase Beeler was an All-American first teamer in 2010. Stanford played in the 2009 Sun Bowl and 2011 Orange Bowl.
He was the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at San Diego for the 4 previous seasons (2003-06). The Toreros were named back-to-back NCAA Division I-AA Mid-Major national champions and won Pioneer League titles in 2005 and 2006. Under his direction, USD led the nation in total offense twice and also finished third and ninth in that category. USD led the nation in 2003 in total yards (483.3) while averaging 39.9 points. In 2004, the Torero offense was ninth nationally in total offense (432.4), 11th in scoring offense (36.1) and 12th in passing offense (275.4). San Diego set numerous offensive school records in 2005, including average points (42.6) and total offense (485.2). The 2006 San Diego squad led the NCAA Division I-AA in passing offense (293.3), total offense (494.3) and scoring offense (42.8). Quarterback Josh Johnson was one of four offensive All-Americans on the team and led all NCAA Division I-AA quarterbacks in passing yards (3,320), passing efficiency (169.0), touchdown passes (34) and total offense (336.7). He was a fifth round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2008.
Drevno was the offensive line coach at Idaho for 3 seasons (2000-02). The Vandal offense ranked sixth in the nation in 2001 and eighth in 2000. He coached NFL players Jake Scott, Rick Demulling and Patrick Venzke at Idaho.
Prior to his tenure at Idaho, his coaching stops included San Jose State (offensive line, 1999), UNLV (running backs, 1998) and Montana State (tight ends, 1993-95, and running backs, 1996-97). He was a graduate assistant at Cal State Fullerton, his alma mater, in 1991 and 1992.
Drevno began his collegiate playing career as an offensive lineman for 2 years (1987-88) at El Camino Junior College in Torrance (Calif.), where he helped lead the Warriors to a national title in 1987 and then earned All-Mission League honors the following year. He then went on to start on the Cal State Fullerton offensive line for two seasons (1989-90).
He earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Cal State Fullerton in 1992.
He was an all-league player at South Torrance (Calif.) High.
He was born on March 20, 1969. He and his wife, Shannon, have 2 daughters, McKenna, 19, and Baylee, 14, and a son, Zachary, 17.
