 |  |
| Tim Sorrells |
| Title: | Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator, Quarterbacks |
|---|---|
| Email: | Tim.Sorrells@Furman.edu |
| Phone: | 294-3450 |
| College: | Furman '81 |
Former Paladin quarterback great Tim Sorrells, a member of Furman's Athletic Hall-of-Fame, is now in his 23rd year as an assistant coach, 15th season as offensive coordinator, and second year as assistant head coach. In addition he coaches the running backs.
Last year Jerome Felton, one of Sorrells' most decorated products, earned All-America honors and wrapped up his career as the program's all-time leading scorer (414 points) and top rushing fullback in Furman history (2,652 yards) prior to being selected by the Detroit Lions in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft.
In 2005, Sorrells directed the SoCon's top offense (470.0 ypg) and deepest backfield as tailbacks Brandon Mays, Daric Carter, and Gipson combined to rush for 2,064 yards and 13 touchdowns, and Felton added 940 yards to key the Paladins to a 11-3 record, NCAA I-AA semifinal playoff appearance, and No. 3 final ranking. In 2001 Sorrells oversaw a powerful offense that helped Furman go 12-3, win the SoCon, and finish as national runner-up. Headlining the attack was a lethal ground game featuring tailback Louis Ivory, who finished his career as Furman's all-time leading rusher (5,353 yards). In 2000 Ivory captured the Walter Payton Award as the top offensive player in NCAA I-AA.
Ivory's development as one of the finest players in school history only added to a long line of quality standouts produced under Sorrells' guidance. In 1992 tailback Carl Tremble capped a brilliant collegiate career by rushing for 1,555 yards en route to becoming the league's all-time leading rusher at that time.
Prior to 1989 Sorrells coached both the squad's running backs and quarterbacks, and he played a key role in the development of all-conference signal caller Frankie DeBusk, who in 1988 led Furman to a 13-2 record and NCAA I-AA national title.
A Greeneville, Tenn., native, he came to Furman in 1977 after an all-state career at Jefferson County High School. As a quarterback, he was twice named All-SoCon after leading Furman to titles in 1980 and '81.
Sorrells received his undergraduate degree in physical education in 1981. He remained at Furman as a graduate assistant coach, helping the Paladins claim the 1982 league title while working on his master's degree in education.
From the graduate assistant coaching ranks, Sorrells took his first full-time coaching job at the high school level as an assistant coach at Rhea County (Tenn.) High School.
He and his wife, Tracy Ballew, formerly of Spartanburg, S.C., have two sons: Caleb, a senior at Carson-Newman, and Jordan, a junior quarterback at Furman; and a daughter, Emma.
