The lack of facilities was one excuse used by former head coach Jimbo Fisher as to why he left Tallahassee for College Station, Texas.
Well, it was much more than that, but that’s one item Fisher butted heads with FSU administration as the college football arm’s race got underway.
The Noles were able to get the first indoor practice facility in the state under Fisher’s watch. It looks like the football-only facility he dreamed of is more than talk nowadays.
FSU released updated renderings for the new Football Operations Building on Twitter Wednesday afternoon:
🚨New Renderings🚨
— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) April 14, 2021
Check out the new information on the operations building for Florida State football. #KeepCLIMBing
The football operations building will be the new day-to-day home of Florida State football. Located adjacent to the Albert J. Dunlap Athletic Training Complex and the Dunlap practice fields, the new center will be one of the most significant investments in the program’s history. Inside its 150,000 square feet of dedicated space, Seminole student-athletes will enjoy first-class resources including:
- Dedicated football training facility attached to the existing Dunlap Athletic Training Center
- 13 position meeting rooms
- Indoor walk-thru meeting area adjacent to position meeting rooms
- Locker room
- Dedicated recruiting lounge/suit
- Offices for Football Coaching Staff
- Private Event Space
- Strength Training and Weight Room Centers that include: Walk-thru recovery pools
- Custom hot/cold plunge pools
- Underwater treadmill pools
- Dedicated recovery suite
- Cryotherapy, hyperbaric chamber, high altitude room
- Team Meeting Rooms
- Player development areas
- Virtual Reality/Performance Enhancement Areas
- Nutrition/Fueling Stations
- Coaches Video/Production Offices
“This facility project is all about attracting the very best student-athletes and developing them, in all aspects,” said Alford. “We are committed to fostering an environment where every student-athlete is able to perform at a high level while receiving leadership and life-skills training that they can take with them after they graduate.”
Fan Reaction
We finally starting to play with the big boys. Love to see it.
— MadNole🍢 (@Madnole2) April 14, 2021
Build it now. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Y4wFgYfbal
— USAFA Nole (@NolevellEra) April 14, 2021
If you love @FSUFootball and you’re not a booster yet you can become one today. We NEED this Football Only Facility built ASAP! https://t.co/dsU1uEWwgy
— TaReef KnockOut (@TaReefKnockOut) April 14, 2021
Orchestrated, synchronized announcements coming out of FSU football. Almost like they know what they’re doing. pic.twitter.com/mEj1RUeyUp
— Slowdell Haggins 🎒 (@CSteph90) April 14, 2021
@FSUFootball & @SeminoleBooster stopped playing when they hired @Coach_Norvell @SeminoleAlford & Bruce Warwick. Just now getting 2 see their vision & execution. Last team thought u needed to be top 10 team to start doing these things. Current crew knows what's needed to be top10.
— RockinNole (@NoleRockin) April 14, 2021
— Xavier (@XavierJ5284) April 14, 2021
— Xavier (@XavierJ5284) April 14, 2021
Thoughts
I can’t express the difference in how FSU handles things since hiring Mike Norvell. It’s not all because of Mike Norvell, and much of the credit has to go to David Coburn and President Thrasher.
Their willingness to make changes to the structure in how Seminole Boosters operate has been a massive influence and allowed things to move at a quicker pace.
The hiring of Michael Alford last July as CEO of Seminole Boosters has been massive. The changes he has brought to that organization have been a breath of fresh air, and all parties involved seem to be moving together with the grace of Olympic synchronized swimming.
There’s momentum everywhere across the athletic department. However, this new football-operations building news is perfect timing coupled with the recruiting momentum the Noles have at the moment.
The NCAA recruiting dead period will end June 1st, and the staff will be able to host recruits on campus and have interactions. These visits will be a prime opportunity to show off these renderings and what’s to come with the FSU football program.
I know I’ve been critical of FSU football fans and they want to play big boy football without attending games or becoming a Seminole Booster. I want to applaud nearly 10,000 boosters that have joined in the past few months, but I encourage you to go here and join if you haven’t yet.
It’s the perfect time to support a program that’s beginning its climb back to an elite status where they belong!