FSU offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham will take the offensive coordinator job at Oregon. The rumors of the potential move began to swirl a couple of days ago, and Dillingham, who’s usually all over social media, was ghost aside from one tweet Tuesday that was unrelated to FSU.
I understand the move because he wants to become a head coach one day, and the path to do that is becoming an offensive coordinator with 100 percent control.
That hasn’t been the case under Mike Norvell, who is a mentor and someone that’s helped Dillingham get to this point in his career. It’s not the first time he’s left Norvell as he left Memphis to take the offensive coordinator position at Auburn, where the offense was not 100 percent his.
The way this deal with Oregon went down could have been handled better, but that’s the business. Some FSU fans were not happy with the timing of the announcement:
Source confirms that Florida State offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham is taking the same position at Oregon on Dan Lanning's staff.
— Tom Green (@Tomas_Verde) December 15, 2021
Dillingham, who was Auburn's OC in 2019, had been in consideration for the role on Bryan Harsin's staff last week
So this mf broke the news on ESD?
— Go Noles . 🍢🍢FSU 3-0(1-0) (@watson_rand) December 15, 2021
I cant believe people arent madder about this
— SkotD (@SkotDuran) December 15, 2021
Just makes him look like a fraud, but whatever. His whole “special kids” press conference now just shows what a sham he is. Atkins will be a better OC
— Tim Wright (@twright623) December 15, 2021
However, the life cycle of that news was quickly stomped out as news broke that FSU offensive line coach Alex Atkins will replace Dillingham as the offensive coordinator.
BREAKING: FSU has promoted Alex Atkins to offensive coordinator.
— Josh Newberg (@josh_newberg) December 15, 2021
Kenny Dillingham's deal to Oregon got done earlier today. I expect FSU to announce Atkins as new OC later today or tomorrow.
More on Noles247: https://t.co/0zsjTWqgPy
It is a move that many expected if Dillingham took the offensive coordinator job. It’s good Mike Norvell had someone on staff he trusts and has experience as an offensive coordinator.
The promotion of Atkins is a move most expected if Dillingham took the Oregon offensive coordinator job. It’s good Mike Norvell had someone on staff he trusts and has experience as an offensive coordinator. Atkins is one of the best offensive line coaches in the nation and an absolute dawg on the recruiting trail.
It’ll still be Mike Norvell’s scheme, but I’m interested to see how the offense looks with Atkins’ fingerprints on it. Now, FSU needs to find another ace recruiter as Dillingham did a lot on that front and was highly visible on social media.
Stay tuned to Chopchat in our live tracker for the rest of the signings for Early Signing Day.