TALLAHASSEE — New Florida State athletic director Jeff Purinton was introduced Tuesday inside the Champions Club in front of a crowd of supporters and reporters.
Purinton, an FSU alumnus who was roommates with Chris Weinke when in school, spoke to his belief in the athletic department.
“Florida State can be the best athletics program in the country. We’ve seen it before.
“It’s an unlimited ceiling for Florida State University.”
The two-time FSU graduate returned after stops at Alabama, Arkansas State
and Learfield. He framed the job as a homecoming from the start.
“I woke up this morning, looked out the window, could see Westcott and campus. It was just so surreal.
“I couldn’t be more fired up to be here and to lead this athletic department.”
Purinton thanked university leadership and described the opportunity in personal terms.
“Florida State is home to me in so many ways. It’s where I went to school, where I got my start in this profession and where I learned from people who helped shape the way I’ve approached my career. I was fortunate to work with Coach (Bobby) Bowden, Coach (Mike) Martin and Coach (Nick) Saban.
“Coming back to lead this athletics department is a tremendous honor, and a responsibility that I don’t take lightly. I know how much Florida State means to our alumni, our fans and everyone who has been part of this program. I also know how much work goes into meeting the expectations that come with wearing the garnet and gold.”
On the open football coaching search.
“We need to do a lot of work behind the scenes,”
“We’re going to explore every candidate and hire the best coach for Florida State.”
He said the most important thing when looking for a head coach is “the product on the field.”
He also clarified what it means for the next coach to fit Florida State.
“I think a Florida State guy can mean a couple of things. We want to get the best coach and the best person to lead this program. I think our leadership would agree that could be somebody with a degree from somewhere else, it could be a Florida State person, but we want to get the right one and build this thing back the right way and win a bunch of football games.”
Purinton laid out his operating standards in clear terms.
“My commitment is to listen carefully, communicate clearly, make responsible decisions, and work with people across the university to move us forward. We want to ensure our student athletes graduate first and foremost. We are going to follow the rules and operate with integrity. Period. We will represent the university and department of athletics in a first-class manner.”
He noted the personal response since the hire became public.
“Florida State is a special place to me. I’ve had more than 700 text messages from former players and administrators. I do not take this opportunity for granted.”
Florida State President Richard McCullough introduced him by saying, “Jeff is a Seminole through and through. He absolutely bleeds garnet and gold.”
Purinton’s first big task is meeting with all the other coaches — men’s basketball coach Luke Loucks and soccer coach Brian Pensky were among those in attendance at his press conference — and seeing what’s working and what’s not working. The goal for the new athletic director is clear: make Florida State athletics elite.
Video courtesy of Noles247
