FSU football: 6 takeaways from Mike Norvell’s third year in Tallahassee
By Kelvin Hunt
Michael Alford as AD Helped Changed Everything
I mentioned the potential impact of hiring Michael Alford as Athletic Director a year ago. The void at the position for nearly a decade hampered FSU athletics, and Alford began making contributions nearly immediately.
He beefed up Mike Norvell’s support staff to make it competitive with teams like Clemson. Mike Norvell made several hires in the spring that helped play a role in FSU’s success on the field this season.
That goes all the way to FSU’s digital creative team, which has evolved from a running joke into one of the best in the nation.
FSU’s NIL game was nonexistent when Alford became Athletic Director, and Rising Spear finally launched in early April at the spring game. It wasn’t good enough to attract elite recruits because it was so late in the 2023 recruiting cycle when it launched but has continued to improve.
FSU football had a new locker room unveiled before the season, which all the players and recruits love.
Not to mention, FSU football broke ground on their football-only facility a couple of weeks ago. All these things have played a role in FSU’s success this season and are laying the groundwork for great years ahead.