FSU football: Grading new coaching hires after 2024 season

Offensive Hires

Gus Malzahn has a great relationship with Mike Norvell and is someone he fully trusts to hand over the offense. Malzhan has had top offenses at multiple stops and top 30 offenses in the last three years at UCF. They usually run the ball well and are among the most explosive nationally. There is a misconception his offense is way different than what Mike Norvell has done at FSU, but it's not true. Malzahn is a capable recruiter with experience recruiting against top programs in the SEC and should give Mike Norvell insight and guidance on how to improve.

Herb Hand is one of the most well-respected offensive line coaches, with a track record at multiple stops. He has put multiple guys in the NFL and has worked with Gus Malzahn for years. He knows what offensive linemen are supposed to look like and someone that knows how to develop players. He also has experience at several big-time programs. I expect the offensive line to improve quickly with a toughness and edge. He's not a dynamic recruiter, but competent enough. It's a plus that he knows Malzahn's offense. I'm giving him a high grade because of his ability to improve things quickly.

I honestly don't know much about Tim Harris Jr., other than he coached with Gus Malzahn at UCF as their offensive coordinator last year and in 2021-22. It'll help he is familiar with the offense. Harris also has ties to South Florida and is young at only 39 years old. He coached at FIU and Miami and was the head coach at Booker T. Washington HS. I'm dinging him a bit because he's never coached wide receivers before, but he apparently has a high upside as a recruiter in the Sunshine State, particularly in South Florida. He also has experience as a recruiting coordinator. This might be a reach, but we'll see where we are a year from now as we see him work on the recruiting trail.