Changes were promised and expected, but no one could've seen defensive backs coach Patrick Surtain Sr. as the first casualty on the coaching staff. Surtain was generally popular among his players and was considered one of the better recruiters on staff.
However, once you peel back the onion a bit, this could've been expected. Surtain and John Papuchis are the only members of the defensive coaching staff that weren't already associated with defensive coordinator Tony White. Papuchis, however, arrived at FSU with Mike Norvell and is one of his loyal soldiers.
Surtain was obviously disappointed in yesterday's name and went on X (fka Twitter) to make a statement.
That FIRED shit hit different. Gave everything for 3 years. I guess 4 years matter more than 40. BET!! Coach Super Good Yall💪🏾💯
— PAT SURTAINl (@psurtain23) December 5, 2025
It'll be worth monitoring to see where Surtain ends up next. Before coming to FSU, he spent six seasons (2016-2021) as head coach at American Heritage School in Plantation, Florida, one of the top football programs in the state. In 2022, he was a defensive assistant for the Miami Dolphins.
Former Seminole floats a potential replacement
Antonio Cromartie had himself a day on the X social media platform, engaging with fans about his own coaching experience and claiming that he's been blackballed from the profession. He also quickly shut down any chance of him returning to Tallahassee, saying he is "too Florida State" for the current staff.
But in between those statements, he did offer an opinion of who he believes could replace Surtain at FSU and it does make sense.
How the hell do you dismiss your best recruiter and developer of talent. Shit he’s your best coach on staff. This don’t make any sense at all. Unbelievable. He’s probably going to bring his guy TJ Rushing!! Just be on the look out. All I can say is Wow!!! Make it Make sense https://t.co/cKLasvl5hF
— COACH ANTONIO CROMARTIE (@CRO31) December 5, 2025
Rushing is currently the safeties coach at Auburn. His tie to Norvell goes back to their days together at Arizona State as assistants under Todd Graham. Rushing also served as the Memphis defensive backs coach in 2018-2019. We know that Norvell doesn't have a deep coaching circle and generally likes a staff of guys he is completely familiar with.
There's no guarantee Rushing will stay at Auburn with Alex Golesh coming in as the new head guy, so he could be available. If Tony White stays on as defensive coordinator, however, there's just as good of a chance that the next hire is someone connected to him and more comfortable with his 3-3-5 zone scheme.