While the coaching search remains ongoing, there has reportedly been some white smoke when it comes to Florida State’s search for a new athletic director.
The Seminoles are set to hire former Arkansas State AD and FSU alumnus Jeff Purinton for the role, according to multiple media reports.
Purinton, who began his professional career working for eight years at Florida State from 1998-2006, has been an executive vice president for Learfield since stepping down from his role as Arkansas State AD, which
he held from May 2022 to April 2025.
Much of his professional background came at Alabama, where he spent 15 years and started in football communications before rising all the way to deputy athletic director (2019-21) and executive deputy athletic director (2021-22).
This news, when it becomes official, would be a major milestone on the path to finding Mike Norvell’s replacement. Purinton will likely want input on the search as his future leading the FSU athletic department will be tied to whoever the Seminoles hire to lead the football program at a critical moment in the school’s future.
