TALLAHASSEE — Florida State interim head coach Rick Stockstill met with reporters Monday for the first time since being elevated following Mike Norvell’s firing, thanking the former coach and framing the job around the program’s tradition.
Stockstill said Norvell “poured his heart and soul into this program” and that the best way to show respect is “how we play, how we compete, how hard we do things.”
He thanked FSU president Richard McCullough, Board of Trustees chair Peter Collins and interim athletic
director Bruce Warwick for the opportunity. The former Seminole quarterback described the moment as surreal, noting the responsibility of “sitting in Coach (Bobby) Bowden’s chair.”
“There’s a part of our heart, a part of our soul on that field out there,” Stockstill said of the program’s legacy and the players who built it.
Stockstill on the current state of the program after a 3-5 start and a 10-22 stretch since 2024:
“It’s not broke, we got some dents in it we gotta get fixed.
“Florida State is close. We’re close and we just, we’re gonna get there but it’s gonna take everybody pulling the rope in the same direction.”
He has not yet spoken to the full team as a group because Monday was a players’ off day. That will happen Tuesday morning at practice. In the meantime, he has met with coaches and support staff to organize schedules and structure, saying “there’s gonna be some changes.”
Stockstill praised interim defensive coordinator Ernie Sims as “a passionate, energetic, enthusiastic coach” who loves Florida State and will bring “great energy, great passion” every day. Offensively, co-coordinator Tim Harris will call plays. Stockstill said he is “not a micromanager” and has “a lot of faith and trust in Tim,” while planning to have input on critical decisions.
Stockstill was clear that the focus is winning now with the best available players:
“I want to win and I’m not interested in ‘let’s see what he can do for next year,’ unless he’s a better player,” Stockstill said. “Put the best player out there that gives us the best opportunity to win the game.”
Stockstill, who returned to FSU in 2024 as director of offensive scouting after 18 seasons as Middle Tennessee’s head coach, said he is “jacked” and “fired up” to coach again after missing daily interaction with players.
“I’m going to bust my tail to give this program everything I have.”
For fans, his message was direct.
“Don’t let a bad game or a bad year or two bad years, don’t let that steal your love and joy and passion for Florida State.
“Don’t give up, stay loyal to Florida State. … Florida State’s gonna be back.”
Florida State (3-5, 1-4 ACC) plays Saturday at noon at Boston College (4-4, 2-3 ACC) on ACC Network.
