From our former athletic director Wayne Hogan​

​FOOTBALL


Ok. Here’s two cents from a career college sports aficionado (or hack, whichever you prefer) Twenty years at Florida State, including a stint as athletic director. Twenty more years at Georgia Tech and Montana. All of that means my opinion is probably no better than Dagwood Bumstead’s. But here goes.
Mike Norvell started rebuilding a horribly fractured FSU football program in 2020 on the heels of the Willie Taggart debacle. Norvell was masterful in methodically building a new foundation for FSU football. He said all the right things, did all the right things. It’s like the guy who was asked “How do you eat an elephant?” Answer: “One bite at a time!”
Norvell’s Seminoles slowly began to take on a persona that mirrored their coach. That first season wasn’t easy and finished with a 5-7 record. But everyone in the program believed with all their hearts that better days were just ahead. Norvell had instilled that belief. Engrained it. Stay the course. Always do the right thing, even if no one’s looking. Work hard, be confident, believe in each other and believe in the guidance of your leader, the head coach.
The buy-in was palpable by mid-season 2022 when the Noles ripped off six consecutive wins, including victories over Miami, Florida and Oklahoma. By 2023 the Foundation was rock-solid. Players had changed, coaches had changed, but Norvell was the constant. His doctrine was engrained. This was a program built to withstand anything. Well, almost anything.
FSU was a program that had returned to glory by 2023. Despite tremendous adversity (Jordan Travis) and slings and arrows flying, Norvell’s, and now the Seminole’s, resolve was unshaken. The vision was laser focused.
Until…
The one and only thing that could wash away 3-plus years of meticulous, steadfast forged steel development inexplicably occurred. Actually, it was two things that occurred. A series of unfortunate events, as it were. First was “The Snub.” Enough has been written and spoken about that and I do not intend to rehash the lunacy and asininity (that’s actually a word) of that foolishness.
And, while “The Snub” was certainly the incendiary substance that touched off the firestorm it, in and of itself, did not topple Norvell’s rock-hard Foundation. What happened next certainly did.
Norvell’s players, so immersed in the new-found Nole belief system, began to jump ship. Those laser focused stars simply flinched in the face of such an indignity as “The Snub.” Florida State fans came unglued. The hue and cry was heard from coast to coast. First, the nation shared FSU’s disdain for the system Then the nation went back to normal life. Then the nation became annoyed with FSU’s continuing bellyaching. Then the nation chuckled at the train wreck that was the Orange Bowl.
Meanwhile, poor Mike Norvell watched as his magnificent program-building handiwork washed away like sands in a Hurricane. Nobody’s fault, it’s just that a program built on trust and confidence, all-for-one, one-for-all, can’t sustain defections from the ranks. Especially mass defections. It also can’t sustain itself in the midst of a grudge-holding, paranoid (justified or not) fanbase.
As we turned the page to 2024, something other than the players had changed. Fans were still booing Kirk Herbstreit and the Noles were inexplicably pushed around by Georgia Tech and Boston College. Norvell himself seems a tad jittery. This isn’t the culture of the last 22 months or so. Fortunately, at only age 43ish, Norvell has a strong enough back and a relentless resolve to build it again. I’m convinced he will do that. FSU fans need to re-focus, too. Forget about Herbstreit, ESPN, the refs, the ACC and all that outside stuff that doesn’t mean a hill of beans. I was at FSU during a time when our program was loved and admired coast-to-coast. You can get there again, Noles. Let’s get the chip off our shoulders and watch a true coaching virtuoso bring it back all over again. This second fortification effort will be amazing to watch.

Dan Lanning had a lot of good things to say about Coach Norvell this morning.

He said CMN made a difference in his life and wouldn’t be where he is today without him.

Very positive.

The word for today is INSANITY -We have watched this team every week since Georgia Tech and continue to expect a different result. I started watching FSU football in 1980. Have told the story many times. I went to my first FSU game in 1980 when the Seminoles played Oklahoma in the OB. Never has a team that FSU has had have they left me feeling the way I do. This is the worst FSU football team we have witnessed in our lifetime. There have been times FSU has had a terrible offense (Rainbow offense) anyone. There were some bad defenses. Never have we seen both sides of the football this bad at the same time.

WHY? This is the question that I have asked Bob, Pat, Curt. I have asked people who are Boosters at FSU. I have asked so called experts who cover FSU not part of this site. No one has answers for this mess. I will say this when I spoke to Pat about this team before the season started he did say to me that this team did concern him. While he could have never predicted the team to be 1-8 after 9 games, Pat did feel they were not very good. After GT and BC this team was just plain BAD.

So what happens next? I said on the post game podcast yesterday that there should be at least one firing done by MONDAY. I know it will have very little to no impact on the field. At this point it does not matter. 1-8. This is unacceptable. As I re-watched the game last night the team did not play terrible in the first half. They had pretty much shut UNC down most of the first half. Then towards the end of the first half all the mistakes started to happen and before you knew it 14-3.

WHY 2? In the first quarter FSU had UNC 3rd and 9, 3rd and 14 and 3rd and 10. Under MA the one thing you could count on at FSU was a great defense. Yes towards the end of his career it was no longer great but that had to do with college football changing and MA defense was no longer a good fit. Why does FSU defense have such a hard time getting off the field in these situations. When you look back at the season the defense to me has been the biggest disappointment. The reason why is because at FSU the one thing you could always count on was a great defense. When Jimbo took over I spoke to coach James Coley and he said Fish the defense will be easy to turn around. He goes that side of the ball is always easier. Mark Stoops came in and while his defense was not for everyone, we saw improvement in year 1. Some will say well it is the scheme. Well Texas A&M uses the same scheme and it works. It is the messenger. There are communication break downs between the coaches and players. That must be fixed.

Coaching changes - I have been told that there will be MANY....Once the season ends I will go over the changes. Pat Surtain is safe BUT.....There is a BUT. Surtain will have a choice to make. He is being sought after by Southern Miss. He also could take a job in the NFL. This is one to watch over the next couple of weeks. There are two other coaches I have been told will be back. Everyone else is on the chopping block potentially.

Re-watched the game - WHY? I really don't know why I did this. The second half started 14-3 and FSU team quit. They gave up an easy touchdown. The Seminoles did score a TD to make it a closer game only to watch the defense give in again. DISGUSTING. I can't defend this effort against UNC. JUST CANT. Neither can the coaches.

QB-Luke/Brock/Luke/Brock - I don't like this back and forth with the two. Pick a QB and roll with them the rest of the way. I know Pat has concerns that one or both could transfer. 1-8 - I really don't care if both decide to leave. I know many don't want to hear this but if FSU has to take a portal kid-then go after one. If you take a portal player and both QB's decide to leave - you take Carter Smith. They should take him anyway. Luke is not ready to play next year. JUST NOT. He takes terrible sacks. He does not know how to get rid of the ball. He keeps his eyes down when there is a pass rush. Unless FSU has a very good OL and run game next year, the Noles will have another losing season. FSU needs to go out and get a true dual threat QB. This way if there are breakdowns in the OL - you can still run your offense.

RB- I have no idea why Toafili does not get 20 touches a game. For a kid who has stayed loyal to FSU, He should be the focal point of the offense. When he does get the ball it seems like LT comes through.

WR- I liked the early reception to Hykeem - They targeted him one other time and it should have been a PI....Again, why no more touches? McCoy has flashed enough for me to realize he will be fine. I think he could be a very good slot receiver.

TE-Why? Why does Kyle Morlock continue to play. His blocking is terrible. On one play he tried to block it was a terrible attempt to do so. FSU will have the two freshman back. I thought I saw Amaree go in on defense but could be wrong. I hope they find a position for him and just let the kid play there.

OL- Darius Washington - I really don't know how a kid goes from a decent player as a freshman to what we saw yesterday. He whiffed on two sacks. I mean you would have to think the kid took money to play this poorly. Kieondre Jones - Can we see if Auburn wants him back. He can't hold his spot. Jones gets pushed back into the backfield. I kept my eye on Otto. He is big and can move. I feel he will start next year and be an ALL-ACC lineman. He will be fine. I also think Early and Rizy are two others FSU can work with. FSU needs to fix the tackle spot. FSU needs to go and get two portal OT and hope and pray Simmons takes the next step. PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD GO AND GET OT over 6'5.

DE- Marvin, Marvin, Marvin - If there is one player who is coming back it is Marvin. He is a player that is frustrating to watch. You can see some speed and quickness from him at times. What I just don't get is how lost he looks. For a kid who came from a football family he seems to have zero football IQ. I am hoping that another full off-season, some new coaching possibly and a year in the system that Marvin can make the jump. We have seen it before...Marvin needs to commit himself to football this off-season. He does that and FSU will have one of the edge spots filled. Pat Payton - NFL - LOL. Payton won't get drafted. 11 has just gone full LAZY this year. His film is awful for NFL Scouts. I expect him to hit the portal and play somewhere else next off-season. Byron Thomas - WHY????? I have no idea why he plays.

DT-Grady Kelly - Lets just say that losing Braden Fiske was huge. Kelly gets dominated and pushed back on almost every play. He needs to get much bigger and stronger this off-season. This is not the mountain west conference. He still plays like a Colorado State player. Joshua Farmer - If there is ever a kid who needs another year it is him. Darrell Jackson - He had one sack and acted like it was a big deal. SMH.

LB- For all the crap Randy takes on these sites, I feel the LB spot is the one that has actually gotten better. It is where it needs to be - NO....Omar Graham made back to back plays on the goal line. He has improved more than any player on defense. He had one trait coming out of HS - Omar was smart. It shows as the kid actually seems to care. I still think Nichelson has gotten better. Losing Crier stinks. I wish FSU had Cam Riley back for one season.

DB-After watching the game yesterday I wonder if these guys practice. Another game where two defensive backs ran into each other. It seems like the secondary players are just out there running around in space.

Final Thoughts: If I could pull the plug I would.. This is unwatchable. It is like seeing an accident up ahead on the highway and slowing down to see the damage. This season is DEAD ON ARRIVAL. Nothing you can do. To expect anything differently at this point is useless. To think they have Notre Dame up next is painful. I have heard FSU fans say in the past that you can go 1-10 or 1-11 as long as that one win is over UF. Well we will find out if that is true this season. Uf lost Lagway for what looks like the season. Their back up to him is downright terrible. SO LIKE LLOYD SAID AT THE END OF DUMB AND DUMBER - So you are saying we have a chance. YES - As sad as it can be the only thing FSU is playing for this season is a win over UF.



College Football

UGA - Carson Beck - He went from a guarantee of being a first round pick to possibly not going by round 3. His decision making this year has been down right terrible. CHRIS RIX BAD. He needs to clean up his act or UGA will not beat Ole Miss next weekend.

Oregon - This maybe the team that wins it all. Lanning's team has an identity. They are tough. Watch them near the red-zone and it seems like they always score. I think Dan Lanning is quickly rising to the top of college football as far as coaches go. He has the traits to be elite - He can coach and recruit. That is rare in college football. When you can do both the odds are trophies follow.

James Franklin - I like coach Franklin. I think anyone that wins 9 games two years in a row at Vandy and then goes to Penn State and wins 11 games multiple times. BUT-WTH was that yesterday. 1st and goal from the five and you run a fat OL in motion. SERIOUSLY. Are you trying to lose the game. Penn State could have easily won that game. They will most likely now run the tables and get into the playoffs. The loss hurt them less than it would Ohio State.

As for Ohio State - You know a coach is feeling the pressure when he comes out after the game and SAYS SEE WE ARE TOUGH. OUR PLAYERS ARE TOUGH, THIS WAS A TOUGH WIN. Ryan Day realizes that his team is not tough and has to tell the world how they are tough. Ohio State loses yesterday and 20 million in pay roll goes down the drain. I feel that Indiana has a very good shot at pulling the off the upset.

As for IU - They are now 9-0. Michigan is up next and they end the season with Purdue. Indiana football is most likely going to win 11 games. CURT CIGNETTI - You are a great coach. DO ME A FAVOR LEAVE NOW. You will not duplicate this feat. Don't think this is sustainable. PJ Fleck should have left Minnesota after winning 10. These programs you don't sustain. Appreciate your great season and go and get the UF or OU jobs. PARLAY IT INTO A BETTER JOB. I think Curt Cignetti is the one coach who will look at a team coached by Ryan Day and say - quietly under his breath...Coach Day we are actually tough. YES-IU is tougher then Ohio State- Ask Michigan State as they jumped out to a 10-0 lead before IU put 40 plus straight up on on them.

Michigan - 5-4 after winning a Natty. They will most likely be 5-5 after next week. There is a good chance that Michigan has a losing record in 2024. I know some of you don't believe me when I say FSU wont be the last team in this new era of college football to fall flat on their faces a year after winning it all. This is the NEW COLLEGE FOOTBALL we are watching. Take note....Because next year IU will probably have a losing record.

Billy Napier - He got his team to 4-4 after 8 Games. His team fought yesterday and that is one thing you cant bash him for. His Florida team is TOUGH. They do fight. They will go out and not embarrass their University. UF plays @ Texas, follows it up against LSU and Ole Miss....UF will be 4-7 after the next three games. Lagway has shown the people in UF there is hope for 25-26....Problem is you have a Napier problem. In year 3 - 4-7 in Gainesville is going to get you fired. Beating a potentially 2-9 FSU team is not going to fix that. Napier needs to go.

Playoffs -My Rankings

1-Oregon (Big 10)
2-Miami (ACC)
3-UGA (SEC)
4-BYU (BIG 12)

Remember seedings are based on conference Winners.

5-Ohio State
12-Boise State

6-Texas
11-SMU

7-Penn State
10-Tennessee

8-Indiana
9-Penn State


First Four Out

1-Alabama (2 Losses)
2-LSU
3-Mississippi
4-Iowa State

For the first time this year, Mike Norvell admitted today that change is coming to the FSU football program. After a season he referred to as "shocking", he's hopeful the Seminoles can end the 2024 season on a high note before a critical offseason begins.

On a night where FSU debuted a number of new faces, it was some familiar faces in Jamir Watkins and Taylor Bol Bowen who led the way to a comfortable season-opening win over Northern Kentucky.

Tom Block filling in for Jeff Culhane, who is doing the basketball game tonight.

Mike Norvell discussing FSU-UNC. Omar Graham Jr. and David Johnson will join the show later.

No show next Monday due to the bye and Veterans' Day holiday.

On Monday's edition of the Osceola's Seminole Sidelines, Patrick Burnham, Mark Salva and Bob Ferrante reflect on FSU-UNC as well as Mike Norvell referencing the need for changes as he evaluates the program.

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

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I'm not sure any in-season staff changes would help FSU over its final three games. But I still think Mike Norvell badly needs to make a few changes ASAP to send the message that standards matter and that this season's results have been unacceptable.

My column from another demoralizing FSU loss.

FSU sports information:

The Florida State softball team released its 2025 schedule on Monday afternoon that features several 2024 NCAA Tournament and Women's College World Series teams while traveling all across the country as well as a trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

The Seminoles will open up the season in Puerta Vallarta for the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge as they will play a regular season game outside of the United States for the first time in program history. The Noles will begin the season against 2024 WCWS participant Oklahoma State. The Noles will play the Cowgirls twice and Louisiana Tech twice while also playing Northern Colorado for five games in three days.

FSU will stay in the state of Florida for three consecutive weekends as they will play in the Shriner's Children's Clearwater Invitational in Clearwater, Fla., on Feb 13-16 before returning home for the JoAnne Graf Classic on Feb. 20-22 and the Dugout Club Classic on Feb. 27-Mar. 1. Opponents and times for the three tournaments will be announced at a later date.

The Noles will play a doubleheader against North Florida and Jacksonville on Mar. 5 in Jacksonville before playing seven games in Oregon over the course of five days. FSU will play each Oregon and Oregon State twice in Eugene, Ore., before playing a doubleheader at Portland State on Mar. 11.

The Noles will begin ACC play at home against Pitt on Mar. 14-16 before beginning a huge week where they will play a midweek game at Alabama and an ACC series at Duke which were both 2024 WCWS participants. The Noles will then play eight consecutive games at the Seminole Softball Complex as midweek games against Stetson and Florida are sandwiched between ACC series against NC State and Virginia.

The Noles will be back on the road from Apr. 9-13 as they face Saint Mary's in Moreca, California, on Apr. 9 before playing new ACC member Cal on Apr. 11-13 in Berkeley. The Noles will return home for its final home series against Georgia Tech on Apr. 18-20 before they hit the road for back-to-back weeks at Louisville and Virginia Tech. The ACC Tournament will take place on May 7-10 in Chestnut Hill, Mass., on the campus of Boston College.

2024 season ticket holders have been contacted to renew their season tickets. Tickets to the general public will go on sale at a later date.

2025 Florida State Softball Schedule
Feb. 6 – Oklahoma State (Puerto Vallarta College Challenge)
Feb. 6 – Northern Colorado (Puerto Vallarta College Challenge)
Feb. 7 – Louisiana Tech (Puerto Vallarta College Challenge)
Feb. 8 – Louisiana Tech (Puerto Vallarta College Challenge)
Feb. 8 – Oklahoma State (Puerto Vallarta College Challenge)
Feb. 13 – Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational
Feb. 14 – Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational
Feb. 15 – Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational
Feb. 16 – Shriner’s Children’s Clearwater Invitational
Feb. 20 – JoAnne Graf Classic
Feb. 21 – JoAnne Graf Classic
Feb. 22 – JoAnne Graf Classic
Feb. 27 – Dugout Club Classic
Feb. 28 – Dugout Club Classic
Mar. 1 – Dugout Club Classic
Mar. 5 – Jacksonville (at UNF)
Mar. 5 – at UNF
Mar. 7 – Oregon State (Eugene, Oregon)
Mar. 7 – at Oregon
Mar. 8 – Oregon State (Eugene, Oregon)
Mar. 9 – at Oregon
Mar. 11 – at Portland State (DH)
Mar. 14 – vs. Pitt
Mar. 15 – vs. Pitt
Mar. 16 – vs. Pitt
Mar. 19 – at Alabama
Mar. 21 – at Duke
Mar. 22 – at Duke
Mar. 23 – at Duke
Mar. 26 – vs. Stetson
Mar. 28 – vs. NC State
Mar. 29 - vs. NC State
Mar. 30 - vs. NC State
Apr. 2 – vs. Florida
Apr. 4 – vs. Virginia
Apr. 5 – vs. Virginia
Apr. 6 – vs. Virginia
Apr. 9 – at St. Mary’s
Apr. 11 – at Cal
Apr. 12 – at Cal
Apr. 13 - at Cal
Apr. 18 – vs. Georgia Tech
Apr. 19 – vs. Georgia Tech
Apr. 20 – vs. Georgia Tech
Apr. 25 – at Louisville
Apr. 26 – at Louisville
Apr. 27 – at Louisville
May 2 – at Virginia Tech
May 3 – at Virginia Tech
May 4 – at Virginia Tech
May 7-10 – ACC Tournament (Chestnut Hill, Mass.)

Passing along a note from Rivals National Analyst Greg Smith who works in the midwest region. He talked with Loftin following his visit to Nebraska.

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The good news and the main thing to note is that Loftin is expected to be back at Florida State for the Florida game later this month. So if Loftin makes it to that game with his commitment still intact, then obviously that's huge for the Seminoles' chances of holding on. However, Loftin is likely going to take visits to both Texas A&M and Missouri.

I would venture to guess that he is at Texas A&M on Nov. 16th for the New Mexico State game and Missouri this upcoming weekend (Nov. 9th) for the Oklahoma game. So by the time the Florida game roles around, then each of the other programs that Loftin took official visits to will have had a shot to flip him before he gets back on FSU's campus.

We've gone from no visits set anywhere, to a visit set to Nebraska (and nothing to FSU), to now all of the official visit recipients (including FSU) likely getting another visit in a matter of about two and a half weeks. I'm still not real optimistic about Florida State's chances of hanging on and won't be until Nov. 30th roles around and I see him with my own two eyes on campus. Still think Nebraska is in a good spot despite not knocking it out of the park and running away with the flip this weekend.

That 2014 miracle win was the start of this trend. Clemson has dominated our o-line for literally a decade. Even last year in our win, the line got dominated, we couldn't run the ball, and we only won because of the scoop and score and Jordan throwing up jump balls. This has to change. Atkins has to go. He is IMO the worst coach on our staff. The line was the weakness of the team last year too. What has Atkins actually produced on the field? We hear all this crap about how much the players like him and how well he recruits blah blah. But what happens on the field? We get dominated. None of the veterans have improved. None of his transfers panned out. His recruits barely even play. Atkins has to go. #1 coach that needs to be fired.

In this time of college football being a big business I think head coaches should foot the bill for fired assistants buyouts.

FSU made a few minor format changes and removed one starter on offense on its depth chart to begin Notre Dame week.

Early story and video of postgame interview. I'll add some quotes to the story later:

FSU sports information:

The No. 19 Florida State women’s basketball team opens the 2024-25 season on Monday, welcoming North Florida at 11 a.m. at the Donald L. Tucker Center.

The game will serve as Education Day as over 3,000 students from Leon County are expected to be in attendance.

FSU will host UNF in its home and season opener for the third time since the 2017-18 season. The Seminoles defeated the Ospreys 78-50 on Nov. 9, 2021, and 109-51 on Nov. 10, 2017. Since 1972, FSU is 42-10 all-time to start the season and have won the previous eight openers.

Florida State brought back 75 percent of its scoring production from a year ago as well as 82 percent of their rebounds, led by Ta’Niya Latson, Makayla Timpson and O’Mariah Gordon. All three players are poised to move up the ranks in program history in several categories this season.

In just 64 games played, Latson ranks 16th in career points (1,364) and 20th in field goals made (483). Timpson, who has 31 career double-doubles can tie Sue Galakantas (1981-84) in second place at 32 on Monday. The program record was set at 41 by Natasha Howard, from 2011-14. Timpson also ranks 12th in rebounds at 744 and third in blocks at 187 after 98 games played. In 95 career games, Gordon has tallied 270 assists, ranking 20th.

The broadcast will air on the ACC Network Extra and locally on 96.5 The Spear, the Seminole Gameday app and on Sirius XM, Channel 371.

Here's video of today's interviews with FSU's three coordinators, reflecting on the UNC loss and previewing this week's game at Notre Dame.

FSU head coach Mike Norvell talked about the UNC loss, the Seminoles' lack of physicality and much more at his press conference today to begin Notre Dame week. Here's the full video. Transcript will be added in the near future.

Another Florida State football game week has begun.

After the Seminoles fell to 1-8 (1-7 in ACC) with Saturday's 35-11 home loss to North Carolina, FSU hits the road once again this week to take on another ranked opponent. FSU travels to South Bend, Indiana this week to face No. 10 Notre Dame (7-1) Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on NBC.

To begin the week, FSU head coach Mike Norvell and his three coordinators will hold their press conferences starting Monday at 11:30 a.m. They'll likely discuss the UNC loss, the state of the program and Notre Dame. We'll have updates below once Norvell begins at 11:30.

We'll post video afterwards but if you want to watch live, here's a link to FSU's live stream on Youtube:

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In a season of low points, Florida State didn’t lay a goose egg in the first half. But beyond Ryan Fitzgerald’s 56-yard field-goal attempt, the Seminoles managed just 61 offensive yards and allowed UNC to convert 8 of 10 third-down conversions.

Mike Norvell’s offense and Adam Fuller’s defense offered up very few moments early. And it didn’t get any better in the second half.

Omarion Hampton had four touchdown runs and a 49-yard TD reception — racking up 172 rushing yards and 93 receiving yards — in North Carolina’s 35-11 win over FSU. It was a season low in points for the Seminoles.

It’s going to take T. Boone Pickens money to get rid of Norvell and right this ship.

The FSU soccer team is the No. 3 seed in the ACC Tournament and will host No. 6 seed Notre Dame on Sunday at 8 p.m. in an ACC Tournament quarterfinal.

Sunday's game is on the ACC Network.

If the Seminoles win, they would face No. 2 seed Wake Forest in a semifinal on Thursday in Cary, N.C.

VT and UNC also face off on Sunday at 6 p.m., with the winner playing No. 1 seed Duke.