The retirement of FSU offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn caught most people off guard. However, it’s likely that Mike Norvell and FSU had an inkling it was coming with the promotion of Tim Harris Jr. to co-offensive coordinator a few weeks back.
It must have come quicker than even they thought, as Harris Jr. was promoted to offensive coordinator with the retirement of Malzahn on Monday. Harris Jr. worked under Malzahn as a coordinator for a few years, so there is some continuity there.
Mike Norvell’s offense isn’t drastically different from what Malzhan ran. They both like to establish the run game and attack vertically for explosive plays in the passing game.
The biggest question for Mike Norvell and the offense in 2026? Will Mike Norvell resume calling plays for the offense? Will he allow Tim Harris Jr. to call the plays? Norvell trusted Malzahn and his experience to call plays, and it was one of the main reasons he hired him to take more of a CEO approach last year.
Malzhan likely called the plays while Harris Jr. worked as his offensive coordinator at UCF. Harris had a short stint as offensive coordinator at FIU in 2020. If I had to guess, Mike Norvell will likely resume playcalling to some degree or be heavily involved with the offense again with the departure of Malzahn.
I'm sure this will be one of the first questions Norvell will receive when they speak with the media again. I wouldn't expect too many changes in the offense regardless, probably fewer trick plays. However, folks making a big deal about who they took at quarterback are making something out of nothing since Norvell's offenses are very similar. to Malzahn.