Mike Norvell tight lipped over future FSU football staff changes

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Mike Norvell offered little insight about further Florida State football staff changes after the departure of defensive back coach Patrick Surtain.

The Seminoles’ head coach said he had “no comment” about more staff changes during a Dec. 5 press conference, but he offered a comment on the decision to move on from Surtain.

“Grateful for Pat and the contributions over the last few years. He’s a great man, obviously, he’s done a lot in the program,” Norvell said.

“He’s done a really good job just for the investment that he’s poured in, and grateful for the time I got to work with him, and definitely wish him all the best as he moves forward.”

Running backs coach David Johnson is reportedly being targeted by Arkansas to be the next running backs coach under new head coach Ryan Silverfield. The pair previously worked together at Memphis.

Johnson, Surtain, quarterback coach Tony Tokarz and special teams coordinator and linebacker coach John Papuchis were the only coaches who weren’t fired after the Seminoles’ 2024 season. The loss to Notre Dame resulted in the firing of offensive coordinator Alex Atkins, wide receiver coach Ron Dugans, and defensive coordinator Adam Fuller, and linebacker coach Randy Shannon was let go after the season.

Johnson, Surtain, Tokarz and Papuchis are all out of contract at the end of February, so decisions on their future are expected.

What Norvell doesn’t expect, however, is any changes with his coordinators. Both offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn and defensive coordinator Tony White are currently expected to return to the program next season.

“Yes, there’s not been any change in regard to that,” Norvell said. “Just going to continue to push forward with all things.”

FSU schedule 2025

Here is Florida State’s schedule and results. All times Eastern.

  • Aug. 30: vs Alabama | W 31-17
  • Sept. 6: vs East Texas A&M | W 77-3
  • Sept. 13: Bye
  • Sept. 20: vs Kent State | W 66-10
  • Sept. 26: at Virginia* | L 46-38 (2OT)
  • Oct. 4: vs Miami* | L 28-22
  • Oct. 11: vs Pittsburgh* | L 34-31
  • Oct. 18: at Stanford* | L 20-13
  • Oct. 25: Bye
  • Nov. 1: vs Wake Forest* | W 42-7
  • Nov. 8: at Clemson* | L 24-10
  • Nov. 15: vs Virginia Tech* | W 34-14
  • Nov. 21: at NC State* | L 21-11
  • Nov. 29: at Florida | L 40-21
  • Record: 5-7 (2-6 in ACC)

Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Mike Norvell has no comment on FSU football staff changes

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