FSU football: Noles showing bigger commitment to playing big boy football?

FSU football hasn’t played to the program standard for the past four seasons. A 19-27 record since 2018 has FSU fans looking for a glimmer of hope on the not-so-distant horizon.

While the program has its own self-inflicted issues, some of the problems plaguing the program were beyond its control. COVID impacted the hiring of a new FSU President and Athletic Director. Of course, an athletic director couldn’t be hired until a new President was in place.

David Coburn did an admirable job filling in during his time as athletic director, but I think we have seen a not-so-subtle change since Michael Alford was appointed as his successor.

Alford officially began in the role, Monday, January 3, and the football program has added several new additions that were a huge need.

I spoke about the hiring of Alford and if FSU was going to play big-boy football a day or so after the Early Signing Period on the Built For Playmakers Podcast. I think it’s safe to assume that to be the case as Mike Norvell has added a bevy of off-the-field support staff in the past few weeks.

The large support staff is something elite programs have had access to for years. The ability to hire quality control, offensive and defensive analysts, and other supporting roles show FSU is committing to trying and competing at the highest level.

Recent Additions

FSU began to make additions to the staff about a year ago with the hiring of Ryan Bartow as Director of High School Relations.

They added Kenyatta Watson a few months later as the Director of Player Relations. Bruce Warwick recently saw a promotion to Associate Athletics Director for Football.

Former FSU standout Corey Fuller began as the Director of Football Relations, and Keiwan Ratliff began as the Assistant Director of High School Relations last week.

FSU announced Darrick Yray as the General Manager of Personnel, Gabe Fertitta joined as a senior offensive analyst, Greg Moss as a defensive analyst, and Carol Moore as an executive assistant and office manager.

These positions should help from an organizational standpoint and help distribute work on the backend of things. However, it’s still a far cry from what some other staff around the nation have.

Here’s FSU’s staff roster(not including strength and conditioning, compared to the Florida Gators staff roster.

Clemson football has a large support staff as well.

Final Thoughts

These additions are a good sign, and it’s a solid start for Michael Alford in his first month on the job as Athletic Director.

This aspect is one of the many reasons it’s important to become a Seminole Booster. These other programs have alumni contributing at a higher percentage than the Noles, whereas FSU only has about three percent of its total alumni base as acting boosters.

Michael Alford increased those booster numbers in his first year on the job and plans to work hand-in-hand with whoever assumes his old position.

Those monies go towards scholarships, facilities, nutrition, rehabilitation technology, equipment and other things necessary to compete at a high level.

There are several projects already underway, like the locker room renovations and new additions to other sports like baseball:

If you have not become a Seminole Booster, I’d encourage you to do so here. Anyone can donate a single amount or contribute as little as $25 per year to participate.

If 10,000 of over 300,000 FSU alumni contribute only $25, that’s an extra $250,000. That would be 38 percent of the allocations for strength and conditioning. Boosters can contribute to specific programs other than football as well.

I wrote about the positives of hiring Michael Alford as Athletic Director, and I trust he’ll make good use of the funds. That will help FSU get back to playing big boy football.