Florida State football fans have been waiting impatiently to see what all of the changes for FSU in 2026 will entail. Will FSU have a new general manager? We already know Pat Surtain Sr. won’t return, and FSU has already hired a new defensive ends coach from Syracuse.
The latter likely means FSU defensive coordinator Tony White will return. FSU running backs coach and recruiting coordinator, David Johnson, left for a similar role at Arkansas. It looks like FSU is targeting a coach who has a previous relationship with Gus Malzahn to replace him:
Tulsa Associate HC/RBs coach Kam Martin has emerged as a target in Florida State’s RB coach search, sources tell @CBSSports.
— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) December 10, 2025
Martin was previously the running backs coach at UCF and Incarnate Word. He’s had a 1,000-yard rusher every year he’s been a position coach. pic.twitter.com/ArFAoGSmhr
FSU fans have been wondering if Malzhan would retire, take another job, or return to FSU in 2026. The fact that FSU is looking to hire someone with ties to Malzhan likely means he’s returning. Otherwise, why would FSU hire someone that a new offensive coordinator may not want?
Martin was the running backs coach at UCF when RJ Harvey surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in back-to-back seasons. He also played running back for Gus Malzahn at Auburn from 2016 to 2019, rushing for over 1,500 yards in his career and eight touchdowns.
Martin wasted no time getting into coaching once his playing days were over, coaching at smaller schools before joining Malzhan at UCF. He went to Tulsa after last season when Malzahn came to FSU to be the offensive coordinator. It’s hard to say what Kam Martin brings to the table as a recruiter, but he’s gotten production from the running backs he has coached at every stop. If the deal comes to fruition, it’s a good sign Gus Malzhan returns for 2026.