FSU head coach Mike Norvell spoke at the 2025 ACC Kickoff in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Wednesday, and he brought a ton of energy.
One would think he might want to lower expectations after the worst season in most of our lifetimes. However, that's not Mike Norvell:
"This team and this season that's ahead, I've got great expectations. I've got a lot of confidence because I've watched the work, because I've seen the investment. I'm really proud and grateful for the coaches and the new leaders that we have within our coaching staff. Being able to have two of the best coordinators in college football, a couple of the best football minds that this game has."
"Coach Malzahn and Coach White have done a wonderful job pouring into our players, being able to establish a foundation throughout the course of the spring and be able to build concepts and a plan in place that are built for the great playmakers that we have.
We're excited for all things that are ahead. It's an exciting time in Tallahassee. We've got a great kickoff here August 30th with Alabama coming into town, and this football team, it is hungry, and it is bringing that daily edge in all things that we're doing."
Mike Norvell has had success at FSU, big-time success, and had it before when he was at Memphis. He knows what it's supposed to look like. He wouldn't have gone 23-3 from 2022-23 after the lackluster seasons in 2020 and 2021 if that wasn't the case.
I honestly believe last year was a perfect storm of several different variables, but most of those variables are no longer present. It's no coincidence Mike Norvell mentioned his two new coordinators, Gus Malzahn and Tony White. Those two coordinators know what it's supposed to look like, too.
Gus Malzahn routinely has top 25 offenses, and White has back-to-back top 20 defenses in his two years at Nebraska. He'll have more overall talent than the past two years, and Malzahn will have pieces that resemble a 2022 UCF offense that averaged 33 points per game.
I think Mike Norvell has great confidence in their track records and the response those coaches get from the players each day at practice. Those different voices with proven track records command a different type of respect. If we couple talent, leadership, and accountability together, you get the makings of a good football team.
FSU football fall camp begins on July 30th, and we'll get to see the guys in action a month later against Alabama. FSU isn't shying away from that opening game challenge, and it's clear Mike Norvell isn't looking to skate by with six or seven wins.