FSU Football: Another late collapse shows problem with Charles Kelly

FSU football watched another chance at a win go out the door thanks to questionable fourth quarter defense – a continuing trend under the man in charge.

After winning the 2013 national championship and watching their defensive coordinator move on the University of Georgia, FSU football coach Jimbo Fisher kept things in house and promoted then linebacker and special teams coach Charles Kelly to the position – while also handing over the keys to the defensive backs as well.

Kelly responded by leading the defense to a 77th overall raking in total defense mostly due to a pass defense that ranked 73rd nationally (as the run defense ranked 13th). As plenty of people called for his head right away, the Seminoles stuck with Kelly and he led the 2015 unit to a 16th ranking nationally in total defense – leading many to think it was turned around.

While the rankings and stats would indicate that Kelly is one of the better coordinators in the country (FSU football ranking 26th in total defense last year and currently ranked 16th nationally), it’s another late game collapse where the defense played a major role that proves the real flaw with having Charles Kelly in charge.

After Saturday’s loss to Louisville, the Seminoles have now had the lead or been in a tied ballgame in the second half during six of the 11 losses since Kelly took over as defensive coordinator (with three of the exceptions being blowout bowl losses to Oregon and Houston as well as this year’s opener with Alabama).

In 2015, it was a late lead blown against both Georgia Tech and even against eventual national runner up Clemson – while in 2016, it was a loss to North Carolina and the eventual champion Tigers in which the Noles had fourth quarter leads.

It’s almost insane to look at this year’s team – currently ranked 16th nationally in total defense and 17th against the pass – and realize they are 2-4 at this point. It’s a FSU football defense that has allowed late efforts by both Miami and Louisville to create such an odd situation.

In a lot of cases, we talk in college football about how someone can be a great coordinator but not a great coach. Charles Kelly may be a great segment coach, but he can at times seem to be in over his head as a coordinator. Ultimately, it is up to Jimbo Fisher to make any decision when it comes to his staff – and as long as the stats show “success”, he doesn’t seem willing to make a move.

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So, baring an absolute meltdown to the 2017 season, fans of the Seminoles that want Kelly gone might not get that – as Fisher has never been someone who listens to public opinion on such things.