Close was an FSU assistant from 2004-11

Via the Associated Press:

Cori Close, who led UCLA to its first women’s Final Four during one of the best seasons in school history, was named The Associated Press Coach of the Year on Thursday.

The Bruins earned the No. 1 ranking in The Associated Press Top 25 women’s basketball poll for the first time ever, holding the spot for 14 weeks as they piled up win after win on their way to grabbing the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament.

“I’m thankful to be surrounded by the players and staff I have,” Close said. “It’s a really nice thing. It does give me an opportunity to say thank you to all the people who have poured into me all the years. Never be here without village of people who mentored me, who have come alongside me in difficult times.”

The biggest weekend of the 2025 Florida State baseball season to date has arrived.

The No. 4 Seminoles (24-4, 7-2 in ACC) kick off a series vs. visiting Wake Forest (21-9, 7-5 in ACC) Friday night at 8 p.m on ACC Network. The Demon Deacons, who took the series over the Seminoles last year in Winston-Salem, were ranked in the top 15 nationally until this week after dropping a home series vs. Virginia Tech last weekend. They enter this weekend having lost five of their last six ACC games.

Friday's series opener is a sellout and the Marching Chiefs will be in attendance, playing live during the game down the right-field line.

FSU will turn to junior LHP ace Jamie Arnold (3-1, 3.07 ERA) and hope he can right the ship vs. the Deacs after he's been a bit sloppy the last two weekends at Miami and at Notre Dame. After striking out 32 batters and walking just four over his first four starts of the season, he's issued more walks (7) than racked up strikeouts (6) in his last two starts.

Wake Forest will start junior RHP Luke Schmolke (3-0, 2.14 ERA). This will be his first career start for the Demon Deacons, but he's been a very effective bullpen arm thiss season, allowing just 12 hits over 21.0 innings with 30 strikeouts to nine walks.

FSU lineup


Wake Forest lineup




I'lll have updates once things get rolling.

FSU sports information:

The Florida State track and field teams concluded the first day of the Pepsi Florida Relays hosted by the University of Florida at the James. G Pressly Stadium on Friday.

The men’s and women’s 4x100-meter relay teams advanced to the Saturday final.

The women’s 4x100-meter relay team consisting of Lucy May Sleeman, Liana Tyson, Shenese Walker and Joella Llyod claimed the third-fastest qualifying time at 43.97, advancing to Saturday’s final at 12:55 p.m. The men’s relay team of Jaiden Rollins, Neo Mosebi, Micahi Danzy and Amare Williams placed sixth in the preliminaries, earning a spot in Saturday’s final that will take place at 1:00 p.m. with a time of 39.23.

Tyra Wilson rallied to a top five finish in the women’s 400-meter hurdles, placing fifth with a time of 56.01. Curtis Williams collected his second top five finish in the men’s long jump invite at 7.61m (24-11 ¾).

The sprints, jumps and throws groups will resume action on Saturday at the Pepsi Florida Relay with the women’s discus starting at 9:00 a.m.

Joe Farley led off the competition at the Stanford Invite by placing 12th with a lifetime best of 29.43.34.

Brooke Mullins is expected to run in the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, while Zach Leachman will go in the men’s 5,000-meter race later tonight.

NOLE SUMMARY:

-Women’s hammer throw:

Madison McGloin | 27th | 50.71m (166-4)

Zianna Curtis | 28th | 50.14m (164-6; PB)

-Women’s 4x100-meter relay (prelim):

*Lucy May Sleeman, Liana Tyson, Shenese Walker, Joella Llyod

3rd|43.97

-Men’s 4x100-meter relay (prelim):

*Jaiden Rollins, Neo Mosebi,Micahi Danzy, Amare Williams

6th|39.23

-Men’s hammer throw:

Austin Kleinman | 17th | 59.18m (194-2)

Cooper Crowell | 29th | 52.20m (171-3)

Jackson Hamilton | 30th | 52.10m (70-11)

-Women’s 1,500-meters:

Lauren Mahan | 11th | 4:37.71

Olivia Niewald | 12th | 4:38.48

Lily Moore | 24th | 4:46.26

Ella Menke | 27th | 4:48.26 (PB)

Lindy White | 28th | 4:48.96

-Men’s long jump (invite):

Curtis Williams | 5th | 7.61m (24-11 ¾)

-Women’s long jump:

Azharia Jones | 11th | 5.65m (18-6 ½)

-Men’s long jump:

Jaiden Rollins | 7th | 7.22m (23-8 ¼)

-Men’s 1,5000-meters:

Kaden Levings | 11th | 3:57.61

Tanner Simonds | 23rd | 4:02.44

-Women’s 1,5000-meters (invite):

Nicole Dinan | 8th | 4:21.64

-Women’s 400-meter hurdles:

Tyra Wilson | 5th | 56.01

Takiyah Ferguson | 31st | 1:01.34 (PB)

-Men’s 10,0000-meters (Stanford Invite):

Joe Farley | 12th | 29:43.84 (PB)

*Advancing to finals

FSU sports information:

The No. 75 Florida State women’s tennis team (12-7, 3-6 ACC) fell to No. 12 NC State (12-5, 7-2) 4-2 on Friday evening at the Scott Speicher Memorial Tennis Center.

Florida State battled back in doubles after NC State earned a victory on Court 1. In their first match together this spring, Millie Bissett and Tina Li began the day down 2-1 and won four of the next five games to take a 5-3 advantage. After Li's ace, the pair defeated Anna Zyryanova and Jasmine Conway 6-4. Maelie Monfils and Laura Putz had multiple ties throughout their match, but the duo broke the 5-5 tie and won the next two games to defeat Kristina Paskauskas and Michaela Laki 7-5 to clinch the doubles point for FSU. Putz and Monfils picked up their fifth ACC victory and improved to 6-1 overall this season.

The Wolfpack began singles with victories on Courts 3 and 5 to take a 2-1 lead. Bissett earned a straight-sets 6-4, 6-2 victory over No. 68 Zyryanova on Court 2 to tie the match 2-2. Bissett earned her first ranked victory of the season and won her third conference match of the year.

NC State earned a victory on Court 6, taking a 3-2 lead. Courts 1 and 4 both entered the third set, with the Wolfpack clinching the match on Court 4 to earn a 4-2 victory.

On Court 1, Shaw rallied back after dropping the first set to No. 23 Laki, winning the second set tiebreaker 7-6 (4), and was tied 5-5 in the third set when the match concluded.

Florida State will host its final regular-season home match on Sunday at noon against No. 36 Wake Forest. The match will feature a Senior Day recognition and Faculty/Staff Appreciation Day with free pizza to be provided. Admission is free to all Florida State home tennis matches.

Live stats and video will be available on Seminoles.com.

#12 NC State 4, #75 Florida State 2
Singles Competition:
1. Eva Shaw (FSU) vs. #23 Michaela Laki (NCST) 5-7, 7-6 (4), 5-5, unfinished
2. Millie Bissett (FSU) def. #68 Anna Zyryanova (NCST) 6-4, 6-2
3. #72 Maddy Zampardo (NCST) def. Kristyna Lavickova (FSU) 6-2, 6-4
4. #106 Gabriella Broadfoot (NCST) def. Maria Juliana Parra Romero (FSU) 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (1)
5. #125 Mia Slama (NCST) def. Laura Putz (FSU) 6-2, 6-0
6. Gabia Paskauskas (NCST) def. Maelie Monfils (FSU) 7-5, 6-3

Doubles Competition:
1. #2 Gabriella Broadfoot/Maddy Zampardo (NCST) def. #42 Eva Shaw/Maria Juliana Parra Romero (FSU) 6-1
2. Tina Li/Millie Bissett (FSU) def. Anna Zyryanova/Jasmine Conway (NCST) 6-4
3. Laura Putz/Maelie Monfils (FSU) def. Kristina Paskauskas/Michaela Laki (NCST) 7-5

Florida State (12-7) | NC State (12-5)
Order of Finish: Doubles (1, 2, 3); Singles (5, 3, 2, 6, 4)

On Friday's edition of the Osceola's Seminole Sidelines, Patrick Burnham and Curt Weiler discuss FSU's eighth practice on Thursday. Mike Norvell discussed the Seminoles' inconsistency after practice

They also preview FSU's top-25 matchup in baseball with Wake Forest in a series that begins on Friday night.

Later, Nick Carlisle joins to reflect on prospects who visited campus on Thursday. Among the big names were Jaden O'Neal, one of the nation's top quarterbacks.

Thanks to Seminole Sidelines' sponsors: Alumni Hall and Mowrey Law Firm.

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FSU sports information:

The No. 5 Florida State beach volleyball team split its matches on Friday afternoon during the opening day of the Unconquered Invitational in Tallahassee, defeating No. 10 LSU and narrowly falling to No. 8 Texas.

Florida State earned a 3-2 win over LSU in the afternoon session. The Tigers struck first, taking court five in straight sets. Gella Andrew and Maddie Trusty answered with a dominant performance on court two, winning the second set by a 10-point margin to even the score. Audrey Koenig and Alexis Durish gave FSU the lead with a win on court one, but LSU responded with a three-set victory on court three to tie the dual once again. Kenzie Hultquist and Makenna Wolfe delivered in a clutch three-set battle on court four, defeating Tatum Finlason and Kate Baker 21-19, 19-21, 15-10 to seal the win for the Seminoles.

The Seminoles opened the day with a tightly contested 3-2 loss to Texas. The dual came down to a back-and-forth battle on court five, where the Longhorns clinched the win with a 21-16, 10-21, 15-13 victory. Andrew and Trusty secured FSU’s first point with a hard-fought win on court two, while Koenig and Durish closed the match with a three-set triumph on court one.

Florida State opens play on Saturday against USF at 9 a.m. where they will honor Seminole Heritage. The Seminoles will then play No. 15 Florida Atlantic, then close the weekend against South Carolina. Live stats will be available on Seminoles.com.

#8 Texas 3, #5 Florida State 2

1. Alexis Durish/Audrey Koenig (FSU) def. Chloe Charles/Eva Liisa Kuivonen (UT) 22-24, 21-18, 15-13
2. Gella Andrew/Maddie Trusty (FSU) def. Katie Harshman/Emma Grace Robertson (UT) 22-20, 21-19
3. Maddison Parmelly/Karin Zolnercikova (UT) def. Carra Sassack/Bailey Higgins (FSU) 21-17, 21-15
4. Macey Butler/Noa Sonneville (UT) def. McKenna Flaherty/Kenzie Hultquist (FSU) 21-19, 21-13
5. Vivian Johnson/Carys Patton (UT) def. Makenna Wolfe/Myriah Massey (FSU) 21-16, 10-21, 15-13

#5 Florida State 3, #10 LSU 2

1. Alexis Durish/Audrey Koenig (FSU) def. Parker Bracken/Gabi Bailey (LSU) 21-12, 21-15
2. Gella Andrew/Maddie Trusty (FSU) def. Camryn Chatellier/Elle Evers (LSU) 21-18, 21-11
3. Aubrey O’Gorman/Julia Sprecher (LSU) def. Carra Sassack/Bailey Higgins (FSU) 21-18, 16-21, 15-13
4. Kenzie Hultquist/Makenna Wolfe (FSU) def. Kate Baker/Tatum Finlason (LSU) 21-19, 19-21, 15-10
5. Skylar Martin/Emily Meyer (LSU) def. Angeline Bergner/Myriah Massey (FSU) 21-17, 21-13

Alex Lodise started the season as the 27th-ranked shortstop nationally. He was named D1Baseball's Midseason Player of the Year on Wednesday.

The FSU standout has come a long way over the last three years from only having one D-I offer to becoming one of the best college baseball players in the country.

I talked to him this week about his journey, how he's evolved into the player he now is, what this recognition has meant and much more.

Like this. A great trend in college hoops. Think he could be valuable as a recruiter, making calls for Loucks and the staff:

FSU sports information:

Florida State’s Mirabel Ting, who led the Seminoles to two team championships, won two individual titles, and who averaged 66.60 strokes per round during the month of March has been named the ACC Golfer of the Month by the Atlantic Coast Conference for the third time in her career. Ting has also earned this honor in March of 2024, September of 2024, and now March of 2025.

Ting won the individual championships at the Briar’s Creek Invitational (-11, 133) and the Florida State Match Up in record fashion (-16, 200) as she was a total of 24 strokes under par for the two events in the month of March. She recorded scores of 67-66 in winning at Briar’s Creek and scores of 66-67-67 in winning the Match Up. Ting’s scores of -16 strokes under par and her score of 200 at the Match set new school records in both categories.

Ting was at least six strokes under par after both rounds at Briar’s Creek and at least five strokes under par in each round of the Match Up.

Ting's victory at the Florida State Match Up gave her the individual championship at the Seminoles’ home event for the first time in her career. She is the sixth different Seminole to win the championship.

Ting played in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur this past week for the second time in her career.

As the Seminoles approach the ACC Championship (April 16-19, Sedgefield Country Club, Greensboro, N.C.) Ting is enjoying the best season of her career. She has earned five individual championships (first place at the Folds of Honor Collegiate; first place at the Schooner Fall Classic; first place at the Collegiate Invitational at the Guadalajara Country Club; first place at the Moon Invitational; first place at the Florida State Match Up) and totaled six top six finishes in six events since the start of the fall season.

Ting’s average of 68.50 in six events this year ranks as the highest in school history, her 70.82 career stroke average as a Seminole is ranked third in school history, her 36-hole score of 133 in the Briar’s Creek Invitational and the Florida State Match Up are the best in school history. Her three round tournament score of 200 at the Match Up ranks as the best in school history, and her single round scores of 66 during the Collegiate Invitational, the Briar’s Creek Invitational, and the Florida State Match Up are tied for 14th in school history.

Ting’s six individual career victories as a Seminole ties her with Seminole All-American Matilda Castren (2014-17) for the school record for wins in a career as a Florida State Seminole.

As FSU crossed the midway point of spring camp tonight, Mike Norvell urged his team to continue to bring that edge and push for improvement.

"I didn't think today was a bad practice. I just thought there were moments where we have to be better."

Plus notes on FSU's somewhat-depleted receiver unit, quarterback leadership and more.

FSU sports information:

Florida State junior Ta’Niya Latson and senior Makayla Timpson received 2025 WBCA NCAA Division I Coaches’ All-America team honorable mention on Thursday.

Latson picked up her fourth All-America nod this season. On Tuesday, Latson was named to the John R. Wooden Award All-America Team and captured second-team recognition from the Associated Press and US Basketball Writers Association. It is the sixth All-America honor in her career.

The Miami native led the nation in scoring, finishing the season averaging 25.2 points per game as the Seminoles led the nation with 86.9 points per game.

Latson became the fastest to score 2,000 points in Florida State basketball history and closed out the season as the nation's leading scorer with 25.2 points per game. She set the FSU single-season scoring record, passing the mark that Sue Galkantas set in 1981-82 (710), finishing with 731 points.

Timpson, who also was honorable mention by the AP, picked up her second All-America honor in her career.

The Edison, Ga., native finished her FSU career as the leader in career rebounds (1,085) and double-doubles (47). She also set season program record in blocks (103) and rebounds (350), erasing the records she set as a junior. Timpson also finished the year with 16 double-doubles, the second-highest in school history, behind her record of 18.

Latson and Timpson have collected six All-America honors in 2024-25, the most in a season in program history.

Timpson along with O’Mariah Gordon will play in the Women’s College All-Star Game on Saturday at 3 p.m. in Tampa. The game will air on ESPN2.

Amaree Williams was on track to be a high school senior in 2024 before reclassifying and signing with Florida State. But he still would have been a redshirt candidate, perhaps playing four games as an undersized defensive end.

A plan to have Williams line up at tight end played out well for his development. Williams played 148 snaps, grabbing five catches for 78 yards and two touchdowns. That on-field time has helped in his development and now the planned shift back to defensive end this spring.

“Something I always bring up is I wouldn’t have had a year worth of experience,” Williams said. “Just getting on the field, playing, playing fast, I feel like that’s the biggest thing for me right now is just slowing down everything in my head and just play. I’m an athlete. I’m able to make plays.”

Oklahoma QB commit Jaden O'Neal was on campus for the first time since June on Thursday for a multi-day visit. As the Seminoles pursue a flip, the contact and communication between him and the coaching staff will be important if the QB dominoes force him out of the Sooners class.

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Story Link: Jaden O'Neal on his FSU visit

He remains committed to Oklahoma but if the Sooners take a second QB (Bowe Bentley mainly) O'Neal would not be pleased. Here's what his mentor, Ortege Jenkins, said about the FSU visit today:

"Solid visit so far. They really value him and showing him by their actions that he is a major priority."

FSU sports information:

The No. 19 Florida State men’s tennis team (15-7, 7-4 ACC) defeated Notre Dame (13-12, 1-10 ACC) 4-1 to win a fifth consecutive conference match at the Speicher Tennis Center on Thursday night.

After Notre Dame claimed the doubles point, FSU came roaring into singles play winning five of the six opening sets across Courts 2-6.

Erik Schiessl quickly snatched the first set 6-1 before outlasting his opponent to seal a straight-set victory on Court 3, tying the match. Schiessl claimed his first-ever Court 3 victory in ACC play and second Court 3 win of the season.

Youcef Rihane traded games back and forth on Court 6 before winning eight consecutive games to seal the first frame 7-5 and blank his opponent in the second set 6-0. Rihane has won three consecutive matches for the first time this spring, all wins coming against ranked schools.

FSU gained the lead of the match and within seconds extended the lead to 3-1. Jamie Connel powered through a 2-2 first-set scoreline and rattled off 10 consecutive games to close the set and blank the second frame, winning 6-2, 6-0. Connel has won 24 of the last 26 games played in his previous two matches including three 6-0 sets and a double bagel performance at North Carolina.

The battle on Court 4 saw dominant sets by each player before the deciding frame. Alex Bulte found his rhythm at the right time, pulling away with a 6-2 score to clinch the final set and match victory. Bulte has claimed two match clinches in the past week after sealing the 4-3 reverse sweep at No. 13 Duke.

Florida State will face off against Louisville on Saturday at 1 p.m. to close out the weekend. Live video and stats will be available on Seminoles.com.

#19 Florida State 4, #55 Notre Dame 1
Singles Competition:

1. #15 Corey Craig (FSU) vs. #18 Sebastian Dominko (ND) 3-6, 6-3, 1-3, unfinished
2. #52 Jamie Connel (FSU) def. Yu Zhang (ND) 6-2, 6-0
3. Erik Schiessl (FSU) def. Chase Thompson (ND) 6-1, 6-3
4. Alex Bulte (FSU) def. Luis Llorens Saracho (ND) 6-3, 1-6, 6-2
5. Joshua Dous-Karpenschif (FSU) vs. Peter Nad (ND) 7-5, 4-5, unfinished
6. Youcef Rihane (FSU) def. Kyran Magimay (ND) 7-5, 6-0

Doubles Competition:

1. #68 Sebastian Dominko/Chase Thompson (ND) def. #9 Alex Bulte/Youcef Rihane (FSU) 6-3
2. Joshua Dous-Karpenschif/Erik Schiessl (FSU) vs. Jameson Corsillo/Yu Zhang (ND) 5-2, unfinished
3. Luis Llorens Saracho/Peter Nad (ND) def. Azariah Rusher/Jan Sebesta (FSU) 6-3

Florida State (15-7, 7-4 ACC) | Notre Dame (13-12, 1-10 ACC)
Order of Finish: Doubles (1, 3); Singles (3, 6, 2, 4)

Luke Loucks and FSU have landed a fourth transfer addition in Jacksonville guard transfer Robert McCray V. He played for new FSU assistant Michael Fly the last two years, averaging 17.3 points per game for the Dolphins.

As we reported a few weeks ago, four-star Oklahoma commit Jaden O'Neal was going to take a visit to Florida State and that visit begins today and ends tomorrow morning. This will be his first time visiting campus since June of last year.

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"Ultimately, the goal is to get to the NBA and to win a lot of games for coach Loucks and Florida State," Wiggins told the Osceola. "I’m still all about academics. I want to get my degree from Florida State."

I'd like this to be an archive of Luke Loucks stories from the last few days. We'll also aim to update this thread with any news on assistant coaches, player retention, portal moves when that opens.

FSU announces Luke Loucks' hire (from Sunday, includes an anecdote from a 2021 Loucks interview)

Column: There's a lot to like about Luke Loucks' hire (from Curt)

Five takeaways from Luke Loucks: 'I'm hopeful that this is my last job' (from the press conference)

Three reasons why Michael Alford thinks Luke Loucks will be successful (From Jerry, looking at some of the financials of FSU hoops)

Details of Luke Loucks' five year contract (includes assistant coach pool)

The Osceola and some other news outlets requested the total legal fees that FSU faced from December 2023 through the settlement of the lawsuit in February 2025.

The total: $4.591 million

Have been told that 2026 4-star WR Rodney Dunbar and 2027 4-star WR Jabari Watkins are BOTH back at FSU for spring practices today

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Both visited about 2 weeks ago from South Georgia. Both hold offers from the Seminoles

The project is coming into focus and with the August 30 season opener with Alabama is less than 170 days, Seminole fans are making their decisions on where in Doak Campbell Stadium they'll sit or whether they'll even renew their seats. The emotions are charged on both sides, even among non-ticket holders worried about how the stadium will look and feel on game day.

You usually read about those who are upset but I hear from both, longtime ticket holders who are upset -- sometimes because of incorrect information -- and many who are stoked about upcoming improvements to comfort, restrooms and concessions.

Like so much, our attitude is often affected by these few words: How does it affect me?

And that is 100 percent fair.

Eventhough I am publisher of this site and have a press pass to attend, I choose to give my credential to a member of the Osceola staff and purchase season tickets and pay my booster contribution because I've always had a need to stay connected to what our fans feel in the pocket book and in the stands, whether I worked for the Boosters of published the Osceola.

I've been a continuous season ticket holder and booster since the late 1970s, and whether I was on the sideline as a photographer, in the press box or working the game as a Seminole Booster employee, I paid for those tickets for my family and for the rare occassions I was able to join them. While previous priority policies (that I was ironically in charge of) impacted me as adversely as anyone else, the west side project has a much more dramatic affect for those with seats on the west sideline and in the Dunlap Champions Club.

I know.

And now that I'm retired I really know.

In this article, I review the changes, the prices, the re-seating, and the lengths FSU has gone to give affected west side and champions club seat holders all the information they can to help them find a seat that is satisfactory to their budget and their needs before they open sales to anyone else. That's a remarkable policy and noteworthy and contrary to some of what you might have read about FSU selling these seats to corportations and "Johnny Come Latelies".

Not true, at least not until April, when FSU will open sales for the first time to people who haven't had seats on the west sideline.

I hope you'll share your feelings, whether positive or negative, as this series continues.

If you are undecided, I STRONGLY suggest you take the hard hat tours being offered as seeing is believing. I took the tour this morning as a ticket holder and all the people I took it with were saying "Wow. It is so much easier to viualize during the tour."

If you have decided to buy but are waiting to pull the trigger, I STRONGLY recommend you pull it NOW to be included in the early seat selection process. If you wait to the summer to decide, many of the best seats will be sold.

If you have questions email me at jkutz@theosceola.com and I'll connect you with the right person. Or call me at 850.508.8690. You pay to receive the Osceola and I'm here to serve you with advise, solve problems if necessary, and put you in touch with the right people.

How does Doak changes affect me?