FSU football: Grading Mike Norvell’s coaching staff hires
By Kelvin Hunt
Offense
Kenny Dillingham. A. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Offensive Coordinator/QB's Coach. Auburn. player. 804
I gave Dillingham a B+ because of his long-standing relationship with Mike Norvell and the product they produced while working together at Memphis. It’s an upgrade over Kendal Briles because it’s less boom or bust but just as if not more explosive while not putting as much pressure on its own defense. Dillingham will not be the playcaller as the offensive coordinator, but he will be coaching quarterbacks and assisting with game planning and organizing the offense. One thing that’s stood out thus far is he seems to be a tenacious recruiter while being aware of seemingly every player that’s available who could fit a need on the roster.
Running Backs . David Johnson. Scouting Report. Tennessee. B. player. 804. Pick Analysis
Davis Johnson worked with Mike Norvell at Memphis in 2016-17 as the wide receivers coach. Johnson is known as one of the better recruiters in the game with ties to a lot of different areas. Customarily, this coaching position is given to the better recruiters on staff. I’d say he’s a massive upgrade over Dontae Pimpleton. David Johnson hasn’t been officially announced at the time of this piece but was reported to be hired by FSU according to Bruce Feldman and several other outlets.
A. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Wide Receivers. FSU. Ron Dugans. player. 804
I think Mike Norvell retaining Ron Dugans is big time. Dugans brought in an excellent group of wide receivers in his first year on staff. He also brought a toughness to the wide receivers while seeing growth on the field in blocking in 2019. His ability to recruit will only get better as the ‘Noles product improves on the field.
Pick Analysis. B. player. Scouting Report. Tight Ends/Deputy Head Coach. TCU. Chris Thomsen. 804
Chris Thomsen comes to the Noles from TCU and has a great deal of experience in developing offensive linemen and tight ends. Mike Norvell calls him one of the best recruiters he’s ever been around. The two coached together while at Arizona State in the early part of last decade. I like that he has a ton of Power Five coaching experience and a stone cold killer stare in his pics! He’s an overall upgrade over Telly Lockette.
UNC-Charlotte. Alex Atkins. player. 804. Scouting Report. Offensive Line. Pick Analysis. B
Alex Atkins comes to the Noles from UNC-Charlotte. Mike Norvell is familiar with Atkins from coaching against him while Norvell was at Memphis and Atkins was at Tulane. He’s thought to be a bright guy and someone who will be a future head coach somewhere. His offensive lines have been really productive everywhere he’s been. I didn’t him a higher grade because he doesn’t have any Power Five coaching experience. I can’t say he’s an upgrade over Randy Clements, so let’s just say this is a wash.