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FSU football: Three too early opinions of Mike Norvell

By Holton Graham

ORLANDO, FL - SEPTEMBER 05: Mascots Osceola and Renegade of the Florida State Seminoles are seen on the field prior to the Camping World Kickoff game against the Mississippi Rebels at Camping World Stadium on September 5, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - SEPTEMBER 05: Mascots Osceola and Renegade of the Florida State Seminoles are seen on the field prior to the Camping World Kickoff game against the Mississippi Rebels at Camping World Stadium on September 5, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Clear Vision, Clearer Message

I won’t lie to you, I was severely underwhelmed when FSU football announced the hire of Coach Norvell. He wasn’t the big-name-coach we thought we wanted or the homerun-hire we thought we needed. Nope. Instead, we went with a young offensive mind from Memphis. A guy who had great success at a smaller program, but is relatively unproven as a head coach at the power five-level.  This archetype has become a familiar one in today’s college football; it’s just not one I ever expected to see at Florida State.  But times sure have changed haven’t they?

But even with all of this apprehension, I’ve got to say, I like the message Norvell is trying to convey. Since he first stepped foot in Tallahassee, the man has been preaching work ethic, discipline and toughness, non-stop. In every facet of the game, on and off the field.

Related Story. CBS Sports Grades Mike Norvell Hire An "A". light

I can’t emphasize enough how refreshing this is to hear from the head coach, given that the last one was the antithesis of all of those descriptors. Again, it is way too early to tell if this is a legit mantra or just lip service. But regardless, it is nice to hear.

It gets a whole lot nicer when you actually see those same principles embodied within the men he has hired for his coaching staff. From the stoic and experienced calm of new Defensive Coordinator Adam Fuller to the youthful excitement (and almost disturbing enthusiasm) of OC Kenny Dillingham, it is clear that Norvell surrounds himself with like-minded individuals; given what we have seen in interviews and such.

Also, the coaches that he chose to retain show me that the man knows a thing or two when it comes to coaches who know the game. Electing to keep receivers Coach Ron Dugans and defensive line coach (and 2x head coach) Odell Haggins from the previous staff were huge moves, both in terms of football strategy and fan perception. Both of these men are guru’s when it comes to coaching their respective positions. They also both have attributed immensely to FSU football and its legacy. And if we are being real here, I don’t think anybody is firing Odell Haggins.

Not to mention, the retention of these two coaches played no small role in.

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