The Florida State Seminoles took the first step in getting their football program back on track when they hired Jeff Purinton as the new Vice President and Director of Athletics on Monday.
Not long after, university President Richard McCullough and Board of Trustees chair expressed their excitement about adding Purinton to the athletic department at FSU, but they weren't the only ones. ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit took to social media to praise the hire as well.
"Congratulations @FloridaState on hiring a great man and guy in Jeff Purinton who grew up under the massive influence of the legendary Bobby Bowden and the great Rob Wilson! He understands the culture and will get the Noles back! Congrats Jeff-good luck my man!!" Herbstreit said.
Purinton comes
into the job with deep ties to Florida State as a former student who earned multiple degrees at the university and a very impressive resume in executive roles at multiple programs and experience as an athletic director. His longest stint was with the Alabama Crimson Tide from 2007-2022, where he had a hand in them winning six national championships under Nick Saban.
Everywhere Purinton has been, there's been success, which bodes well for FSU as they work towards improving the athletics at their university, and specifically the biggest part of it, the football program. Now, he looks to hire the right head coach to replace Mike Norvell.
Congratulations @FloridaState on hiring a great man and guy in Jeff Purinton who grew up under the massive influence of the legendary Bobby Bowden and the great Rob Wilson!
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) November 9, 2026
He understands the culture and will get the Noles back!
Congrats Jeff-good luck my man!!
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This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit praises FSU's hiring Jeff Purinton as AD
