We have broken down the offensive line, the offensive coordinator and now we will break down the defensive side of the football. When Coach Adam Fuller got fired after the Notre Dame game one of the premier positions in college football opened up - DC at FSU. For the longest time FSU were spoiled by having Mickey Andrews run the defense. He was replaced by Mark Stoops who quickly turned around the defense. When Stoops went to Kentucky you had Jeremy Pruitt come in. With each hire usually came instant results. Each guy made their mark on FSU program. The defense has been the one constant even during the later Bowden years. Last year FSU was very good on defense when the shutdown Louisville and Florida. The reality was that Coach Adam Fuller never had an elite defense. If you have a good run game and an elite defense this year FSU could have overcome some issues and probably had a winning record. For Norvell to turn the program around the DC hired must come in and make an instant impact. So who could FSU hire....?
Why Steve Clinkscale - I have known Steve for a while and if there is a coach who is ready to be the MAN, It is coach Clink. He coached under Mark Stoops at Kentucky. He was the defensive backs coach at Kentucky from 2016-2020. He was the DB coach in 2021 at Michigan. He became co-coordinator with Jessie Minter at Michigan in 2022-2023. He was a big reason why their secondary was elite and Michigan was good on defense. He is now the Defensive Backs coach with the Chargers.
Who was Steve Clinkscale responsible for - Will Johnson - Gross Pointe, Michigan- (5-Star). Do I need to say more? He will be a first round pick and is one of the top corners in the country. He has landed recruits at smaller schools from Dade and Broward Counties. He has recruited the state of Florida. He has recruited all over the country and has had success.
Why not: He has been Co-Coordinator but never been THE GUY. He has worked under some great coaches. That being said is FSU the place he should be learning on the job. I know this would be a concern for some. I feel Clink deserves a chance at the job. Some may disagree. He has the pedigree but will MN hire someone like Clink?
Final Thoughts: This is tough. Sherrone Moore the Michigan head coach tried everything in his power to keep Clink. He offered him assistant HC. He offered him to be the DC at Michigan. He turned it down to go with Harabaugh and the Chargers. He could have stayed back at Michigan but like smart coaches do, he went with the known commodity. I have known coach Clink for a while and if FSU offered him full control of the defense it is something I feel he would consider.
Why Steve Clinkscale - I have known Steve for a while and if there is a coach who is ready to be the MAN, It is coach Clink. He coached under Mark Stoops at Kentucky. He was the defensive backs coach at Kentucky from 2016-2020. He was the DB coach in 2021 at Michigan. He became co-coordinator with Jessie Minter at Michigan in 2022-2023. He was a big reason why their secondary was elite and Michigan was good on defense. He is now the Defensive Backs coach with the Chargers.
Who was Steve Clinkscale responsible for - Will Johnson - Gross Pointe, Michigan- (5-Star). Do I need to say more? He will be a first round pick and is one of the top corners in the country. He has landed recruits at smaller schools from Dade and Broward Counties. He has recruited the state of Florida. He has recruited all over the country and has had success.
Why not: He has been Co-Coordinator but never been THE GUY. He has worked under some great coaches. That being said is FSU the place he should be learning on the job. I know this would be a concern for some. I feel Clink deserves a chance at the job. Some may disagree. He has the pedigree but will MN hire someone like Clink?
Final Thoughts: This is tough. Sherrone Moore the Michigan head coach tried everything in his power to keep Clink. He offered him assistant HC. He offered him to be the DC at Michigan. He turned it down to go with Harabaugh and the Chargers. He could have stayed back at Michigan but like smart coaches do, he went with the known commodity. I have known coach Clink for a while and if FSU offered him full control of the defense it is something I feel he would consider.
