Mike Norvell opens up on his mindset towards calling plays, giving up duties

Throughout his career, Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell has been a play caller. Even as a head coach, he’s taken on that role. That’s changing, though, and he’s now stepping back away from that role.

For many coaches, giving up play calling can be difficult. However, Norvell is looking to approach this season with a positive mindset. After all, he has faith in his coordinators, and giving up that responsibility presents new opportunities to him as a coach.

“I mean, I do. I don’t get off on calling plays,” Mike Norvell said. “Like, it’s not my thing. I don’t have to feel like I that’s something. I love the game of football. That’s it. I enjoy it. I enjoy watching guys fundamental, push, physicality, standard, all of it.”

Norvell had been calling plays on the offensive side of the ball. Now, it’s going to be Gus Malzahn who takes over there. A former head coach, who was most recently at UCF and had taken Auburn to a national championship game in the past, Malzahn also won a national championship as an offensive coordinator and play caller for Cam Newton.

“I’ve got two unbelievable coordinators, offense and defense. I’ve got an incredible coordinator in special teams. When you have guys that have the experience, that have the mindset,” Norvell said. “Now every part of it’s got to fit together for us to be the best that we can be. So, calling plays. Running an offense.”

The 2024 season was, undeniably, a disaster for Florida State. The Seminoles went just 2-10 for the season. Now, by giving up play calling to someone he trusts, Mike Norvell can focus on other aspects of the team and look to avoid another season like that one.

“That’s how I came up, but I love the big picture approach of all things of being the head coach. Making sure that if we say this is something that’s important, it’s got to show up. It’s coaches, players, everybody involved. I’m not going to say the kid’s name, but today there was a moment. He had made a mistake and was emotional in the moment. But being able to go and address the issue, be at the need — everything else in the world is still going,” Norvell said. “But to be able to address that, and the very next set the kid comes out and makes two great plays. You saw that much improvement, that much confidence, and I got to help join in the process of that, where there’s just some times where you can get caught up in the details of other tasks. But I love that.”

Florida State and its new system for calling plays are going to be tested immediately. The Seminoles open the season by hosting Alabama. Regardless, Norvell is confident in his team.

“Like I said, great coaches around. Obviously, my focus is where it needs to be,” Norvell said. “And we’re taking those steps.”