Stay or Go? Discussing desired FSU coaching staff changes

A popular topic on FSU message boards everywhere right now is the on-field coaching staff. After another disappointing season of Seminole football, who should stay and who should go? Tomahawk Nation’s Tim Alumbaugh and NoleThruandThru discuss the changes they would like to see made with the assistant coaching staff. Mike Norvell is off the table after having been announced as returning in 2026, but we’ll break down every other coach on staff and state whether we think they should stay or go.

Shout out to PhDSeminole for the request for this article- if you have something you’d like us to write about, don’t be shy!

Offense

Should Gus Malzahn be retained as offensive coordinator?

I am not a huge fan of the Malzahn offense, but it was successful, especially when Tommy Castellanos was healthy. There are certain decisions that you can question such as the running back rotation, number of deep ball attempts, and unnecessary gimmick plays. But, the offense improved year over year (how could it not?). The Seminoles doubled their scoring average per game and added roughly 200 yards in total offense. Both numbers rivaled or bested the 2023 season.

There are some issues though. Malzahn is not going to recruit and only certain quarterbacks fit his mold. The longer FSU sticks with Gus, the more challenging it will be for the next OC to change the offensive personnel.

End result, unless there is back channeling for an exciting, young offensive coordinator, I think the we may see Malzahn back next year. If Gus were to leave, Norvell will certainly have challenges in adding a new coordinator due to his own uncertainty. You’d most likely have to overpay, or make promises that would potentially make the next head coaching hire difficult. If you could get a young, up-and-coming type coach that would bring excitement on the field and on the trail, then it makes sense. Other than that, if Gus leaves, you could be looking at Norvell and Tony Tokarz crafting next year’s offensive scheme.

What about the other offensive on-field coaches?

Quarterback coach Tony Tokarz. The quarterback position and decision making has been a disaster in Norvell’s tenure. You could say not all of that is Tokarz’ fault, however he has been the quarterbacks coach for the past four seasons. In that time, Norvell and Tokarz had the successful two year run with Jordan Travis. Outside of that, the recruited high school quarterbacks that have played under Tokarz’ tutelage are Tate Rodemaker, AJ Duffy, Brock Glenn, Luke Kromenhoek, and Kevin Sperry. While the book is still out on Sperry, the others have either come and gone or had their confidence destroyed. Go.

Wide receiver coach Tim Harris Jr.  One of the biggest question marks on last year’s coaching additions, Harris potentially produced the biggest position group turnaround.  Duce Robinson was a beast, Micahi Danzy had flashes, and Lawayne McCoy ended the season strong. If the 2026 class stands, Harris will bring in a nice haul for the Seminoles. Stay.

Offensive line coach Herb Hand. Yes, it was a portal built group. Yes, we have yet to see the homegrown talent developed, but it was a successful unit. Hand’s veteran experience and familiarity with the Malzahn offense was evident. If Malzahn is back, I believe Hand will be back as well. He’ll have his work cut out next year with replacing all five starters. Stay.

Running back coach David Johnson. The Seminole recruiting coordinator has overseen the biggest FSU recruiting disasters of memory. The inability of this staff to finish rings true each season. On the field, the running backs were inconsistent once again. The usage, which could be attributed to Malzahn/Norvell was all over the place and outside of Ousmane Kromah last year, the position has been poorly recruited. It’s time to put an end to YAC. Go.

Tight end coach Chris Thomsen. The steady force of Norvell’s offensive coaches, Thomsen has been part of the staff since the Norvell regime began. Thomsen recruits the position well enough and his players perform on the field. I believe we’ll need to see a step forward for some of the current tight ends (Landen Thomas, a healthy Chase Loftin, etc.). But for now, I see Thomsen being retained. Stay.

Defense

Should Tony White be retained as offensive coordinator?

I’ve gone back and forth on this question so many times over the past few weeks. I’ll state a case for both answers:

Why should White stay? Consider the situation he walked into in Tallahassee. Yes, he certainly knew the record from 2024 and that this wouldn’t be an easy task. He had to know that certain holdovers would translate well into his schemes while others wouldn’t, thus his comments about sitting guys who weren’t cutting it. That said, I do wonder how his system might improve with a full offseason to bring in players who are better fits for his schemes.

Why should White go? White talked a big game from the beginning, letting folks know that he intended to bring along some of the most talented Nebraska defenders who played for him the previous season. He managed to bring in two. He hasn’t seemed to click at Florida State. He showed a mind-numbing penchant for NOT adjusting in games- was this a product of poor management or a resignation that he just didn’t have the right players for what he wanted to do? I tend to think it’s the former but I also acknowledge that coaches often want to do different things but are held back by personnel during their first season somewhere.

I’m ultimately ambivalent to whether he stays or goes, honestly. We’ve stated numerous times that his successor is likely already in town, as defensive analyst Zach Arnett has experience as a head coach, defensive coordinator, and linebackers coach. I’m not sure it would make any difference going from White to Arnett. I don’t want to be a waffler so I’ll say I think it might be better for White to stay so FSU doesn’t have to pay a buyout, but if he leaves on his own for another job, I won’t lose any sleep.

What about the other defensive on-field coaches?

Defensive line coach Terrance “Pot Roast” Knighton. The Desir twins have been a bright spot in a dark time for the Seminoles. It’s a shame that FSU was in the position to have to rely on them, but they’ve shown that hard work pays off and should be cornerstones of the defensive line next season. Outside of that? WOOF. Knighton also failed to bring in several Nebraska defensive lineman and the one he did snag, James Williams, spent more time clapping back at Nebraska fans than making plays. Knighton has been a disappointment on the recruiting trail as well, being called out specifically by one prospect for not caring and only recruiting him because he felt obligated. If White leaves, Pot Roast likely goes with him, and I think that might be best for all involved. Go.

Linebacker coach/Special Teams coordinator John Papuchis. Y’all have seen my comments about this man throughout the past two seasons. I have no idea why the hell he is still employed by Florida State. Linebackers took a step back this year despite upgrading talent before the season. His special teams units are especially bad and he gets credit for a couple of great kickers and punters, positions that really don’t need much coaching and often have specialists they work with outside of the program. When is the last time you felt good about a Florida State player returning a punt? Rashad Greene? Greg Reid? Get this man the hell out of Tallahassee. If you still need a linebackers coach for one more year, promote Ernie Sims or Arnett (if White stays). Go(!).

Cornerbacks coach Pat Surtain. I’ve defended Surtain in the past as both a developer and a recruiter, but after another season of lackluster secondary play, I’m no longer going to do that. When you sign a class of four blue-chip defensive backs, and not one of them has even cracked the rotation regularly by now, it’s either poor development, poor evaluation, or a combination of both. Ja’Bril Rawls has been a bright spot regarding development, but as bright as he was this past season, Jerry Wilson was twice as bad. Surtain brings in blue-chip and high-three star players regularly, but the development just hasn’t been where you want it to be. For a school that prides itself on being in the discussion for DBU, I think FSU can ultimately do better than Surtain, but I’m not sure that can happen under the current circumstances. Stay, reluctantly.

Safeties coach Evan Cooper. Cooper came into Tallahassee talking a big game as a recruiter and then got his lunch eaten on the trail. He was confident in flipping blue chip safety CJ Bronaugh from Nebraska but lost out to the Florida Gators. He inherited Tre Bell, helped Surtain with Chauncey Kennon, and flipped Jordan Crutchfield, but also lost Tedarius Hughes to Syracuse, lost Sean Johnson to Maryland, and couldn’t get any traction with J’Zavian Currence, Lasiah Jackson, or Kaiden Hall. Not great, Bob. Again, this is an area I feel FSU can do better, but in Cooper’s case, I’s prefer he leave. Hire a young up-and-comer who wants to showcase himself and can bring in some talent on the trail. Go.

Associate Head Coach Odell Haggins. What does that title even mean? We weren’t sure when it was announced and we still aren’t sure a year later. We love you but it’s time, Odell. It’s been time. Transition into a role with development or player support on the administrative side if you want, or just retire and go fishing every day. Go.

There you have it, Tomahawk Nation.

Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments.