TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – College football looks more like its big brother the NFL with each passing season, now with the advent of contracts and direct compensation it’s closer than ever, after a comprehensive assessment of the Florida State football program one thing became clear to athletic director Michael Alford and head coach Mike Norvell. It’s too big a job for the way things have always been.
“A head coach not only coaches the team but what he has to deal with with contracts and putting rosters together in the portal,” stated Alford about the current realities of running a major college football program.
“We need more assistance.”
Enter the creation of a front office and the hiring of General Manager John Garrett. The former FSU Director of Scouting returning to Tallahassee after a two year stint as GM for Manny Diaz and the Duke Blue Devils, creating a collaborative structure in recruiting where Norvell’s coaches makes the list and Garrett’s staff buys the groceries.
“They’re responsible for those areas and to evaluate them through watching tape, talking to their high school coaches, getting their transcript, evaluating them from an intangible standpoint,” said Garrett of the role Norvell’s staff will play in the evaluation and acquisition processes. “Once they gather all that information if they believe they’re a serious candidate for Florida State, they’re passed on.”
“I thought this was an absolute necessity to take our personnel department and the focus of what we’re doing in today’s age of college football,” said Norvell of restructuring his football program. “Making sure that the guys we’re bringing in, it’s an aligned vision.”
And while Garrett reports directly to Alford, the process will be full of checks and balances with final say over Norvell’s program coming from the man himself.
“Coach Norvell has HC {Head Coach}, next to his name,” quipped Garrett. “We’re all here to make sure we make the best decision for Florida State University football under his guidance.”
With Seminole football hoping it’s found the playbook for the future and not another false start.
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