Florida State’s Focused Ascent: Beyond the schedule and Through Adversity
Florida State University’s football program has undergone a dramatic shift in mindset,fueled by a renewed focus and a commitment to foundational principles. Head coach Mike Norvell has implemented changes designed to prioritize present-day performance and team unity, moving away from conventional pre-season approaches.
A visible example of this shift is the absence of a posted schedule in the team meeting room. Norvell has deliberately removed the visual reminder of future opponents, emphasizing a singular focus on the current task: excelling as a team, starting wiht and centered around Florida State itself. This contrasts with previous years where the upcoming schedule was prominently displayed.
This transformation comes amidst the evolving landscape of college football, characterized by the transfer portal and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities. The portal allows for rapid roster construction and deconstruction, making consistent evaluation crucial. A missed evaluation, such as at the quarterback position in 2024, can lead to setbacks, while triumphant evaluations, as Norvell has demonstrated in othre years of his tenure, yield positive results.
The team’s dominant victory over Alabama was not a surprise to those within the program. Offensive Coordinator Alex Malzahn noted the need to continue refining their approach as opponents begin to adjust their strategies. “As the season goes, peopel know more who you are and you’ve got to earn things and that’s been my message to our offense,” Malzahn stated. “We haven’t arrived and we’re still a work in progress.”
Though, the Seminoles‘ journey has been marked by more than just on-field performance. Freshman linebacker Ethan Pritchard was recently the victim of a shooting incident while driving his aunt home in Havana, Florida, authorities believe it was a case of mistaken identity. Pritchard is currently hospitalized in Tallahassee and has recently shown encouraging signs of recovery by opening his eyes.
Norvell has kept the team informed about Pritchard’s condition, and the team is playing with added motivation to support their teammate. “There’s still a long part of his process moving forward, but it puts all things in perspective, the thankfulness of a blink,” norvell said. ”He’s fighting.”
Looking ahead, Florida State aims to return to the ACC Championship game. Norvell emphasizes the importance of consistent effort and attention to detail, a message reinforced through the team’s book club reading of Admiral William McRaven’s “make Your Bed.” The book highlights the power of “doing the little things” to achieve critically important change.
Norvell remains optimistic about the team’s potential. “There can be some wonderful results even after some really challenging moments,” he said. “I’m excited for what’s ahead.”
