It's an understatement to say Mike Norvell took FSU football from rock bottom to where it's supposed to be in fewer than four years. FSU is supposed to compete for National Championships, and Mike Norvell and the coaching staff had them in position in 2023 before getting snubbed by the College Football Playoff Committee. However, despite losing 10 NFL Draft picks and a few more players as UDFAs. The Noles reloaded instead of rebuilding and should be in the midst of things for the 12-team College Football Playoff in 2024. Norvell has not only changed the program in a short amount of time, he's changed the lives of the players who have come through his program. It doesn't matter if it was for only a year or if former FSU players never played for him, they can see what makes him different. Recently, an iconic video of a passionate Mike Norvell speaking after starting the 2021 season 0-4 got reposted on social media, and several former players chimed in with their thoughts on Mike Norvell:
Best decision I ever made was choosing @Coach_Norvell and @FSUFootball… He trusted me, I trusted him and we both stood by our words! Forever Luv coach🫡🖤 https://t.co/oqLpSBTjYd
— Jermaine Johnson II (@ii_jermaine) August 9, 2024
I enjoyed my time at FSU but gosh I wish I could’ve had the opportunity to play for this guy. https://t.co/GGpFSRYuJ6
— Jalen Wilkerson (@88Dreamchaser) August 9, 2024
Changed my life🤞🏾 Im with you forever https://t.co/0Xncf2zii5
— J.Jones (@JarrianJones) August 9, 2024
This is the coach you not only want to play for, but you want to be the best version of yourself for 🙏🏾 https://t.co/fytSqu7DFR
— Jared Verse (@JaredVerse1) August 8, 2024
The best @Coach_Norvell https://t.co/cJVFdR7hI5
— Trey Benson (@trey_uno1) August 8, 2024
What's crazy is players who have only been in the program for fewer than three months can already see what type of coach he is. This is freshman Elijah Moore below:
One of the Greats❗️ https://t.co/keK9aM5LPi
— Elijah Moore👑♌️🖤 (@3lijahmoore) August 8, 2024
The father of transfer quarterback DJ Uiagalelei:
THE PROOF IS IN NORVELL🍢🍢🍢 https://t.co/3ry1Fv2uQC
— Big Dave Uiagalelei (@DUiagalelei) August 8, 2024
There were players who were only with Norvell for one year and others who were with him for four. We've seen players leave to enter the transfer portal to leave FSU and then beg to come back. However, I think this one was the most telling:
Memphis players got on here when it was still Twitter and told FSU fans, y'all got a real one. Be patient. You'll see. They were so right. He's been such a blessing to FSU, the football program. Great things are still to come. https://t.co/vuCu3Ja5aB
— Jet Jackson (@yardlemur) August 10, 2024
I’m not gone lie. Y’all boys to spoon fed down there in Tallahassee. Nobody perfect but y’all down there doing this because y’all don’t like the way Norvell operates. Just do your part and you’ll be successful. That man is going to make sure you win on and off the field. https://t.co/W9uTrgnfDX
— Kedarian Jones (@_UnoTres) August 13, 2020
That was former Memphis player Kedarian Jones co-signing Mike Norvell before he coached a game at FSU. This situation was shortly after the Marvin Wilson situation and response to a tweet from former FSU wide receiver Warren Thompson(that has since been deleted). Mr. Jones couldn't have been more right.