Mike Norvell admits 2024 Florida State had 'forced team building'

A season removed from its 13-0 regular season in 2023, the 2024 Florida State campaign was an absolute disaster.

After dropping its opening game of the season to Georgia Tech in Dublin, the Seminoles went 2-9 in their final 11 games with just one win over a power-four team (California). It marked FSU’s worst season since 1974, when it went 1-10.

In just the span of one season, head coach Mike Norvell went from complete job security to having many doubters among college football fans and Florida State fans. Forced team building was one of the main reasons that went into the failure that was last season, as he revealed at ACC Media Days.

“Ironically, probably a year ago we did forced team building,” Norvell said. “There was a reason. And this year, I don’t think we’ve had to as much. But we still had opportunities to be able to have connection and for guys to enjoy the process and who they’re getting to do it with. Last week, we split up offense and defense and they came over to the house and we just got to be around them. We just got to see their interactions and it was a great couple of nights that we got to share together.”

“For me to sit back and see how comfortable our football is together (you see it on the field and in workouts) but this team genuinely enjoys who they’re getting to do it with. And that allows for a heightened sense of work, investment, care and passion for all of what’s making up this team. That gets me excited.”

Norvell likes the buy in from this year’s team

Both sides of ball were disastrous for Norvell’s team, as the Seminoles ranked third to last in FBS in yards per game (270.3 yards) and allowed 385.9 yards per game on defense.

“There were some subtle changes as you have new people trying to accomplishing the things we need but what I’m grateful for is that I don’t have to try and force leadership to emerge,” Norvell continued. “This year, that’s one thing that has really stood out to me, is that we’ve got guys willing to pour into each other and when its time to say something you see a great response and a heightened sense of accountability for the guys speaking. That has to continue through camp and everything pointing towards August 30 when we get to go put this team on display.”

Florida State‘s make-or-break season, more importantly for Norvell, opens on August 30 against Alabama.