FSU's Norvell fires both coordinators, WR coach

FSU’s Norvell fires both coordinators, WR coach

Posted by Admin November 10, 2024 Football

Mark Schlabach, ESPN Senior WriterNov 10, 2024, 05:29 PM ET
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- Senior college football writer
- Author of seven books on college football
- Graduate of the University of Georgia

The housecleaning is under way at Florida State, where coach Mike Norvell fired offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Alex Atkins, defensive coordinator Adam Fuller and receivers coach Ron Dugans on Sunday.

The dismissals came a day after the Seminoles lost their sixth straight game, 52-3 at Notre Dame. It was FSU’s third straight loss by 20 points or more.

With a 1-9 record, Florida State is on pace for its worst season since finishing 1-10 in 1974, two years before legendary coach Bobby Bowden took over the program.

“I appreciate the work these three men have provided over the last five years with me at Florida State,” FSU coach Mike Norvell said in a statement. “They are all great men with families who also have poured into our program. We had many great moments together here, and I have never doubted their passion for our players and for Florida State.

“Unfortunately, we have not upheld the Florida State standard with our results on the field this season. I did not make any of these decisions lightly, but I felt changes needed to be made to elevate our program back to where we all desire it to be.”

Norvell said co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Randy Shannon would take over defensive playcalling, and other staff members will help replace the departed assistants.

The Seminoles rank last among 134 FBS teams in scoring with 13.3 points per game and are 101st in scoring defense, surrendering 29.8 points per game.

It has been a stunning collapse for an FSU program that went 13-0 and captured an ACC title in 2023. With starting quarterback Jordan Travis injured, the Seminoles were left out of the College Football Playoff. Following myriad player opt-outs, FSU lost 63-3 to Georgia in the Capital One Orange Bowl.

After flirting with Alabama‘s vacancy once Nick Saban retired in January, Norvell agreed to a 10-year extension at Florida State that will pay him more than $84 million through the 2031 season.

The Seminoles close the season by hosting FCS program Charleston Southern on Nov. 23 and rival Florida the next week.