Mike Norvell reveals mindset towards coaching rumors after Tony White linked to UCLA

This past offseason, Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell hit the reset button and made major changes on his staff, including at both offensive and defensive coordinator. So far, those moves have worked out well. They’ve worked out so well, in fact, that defensive coordinator Tony White is already coming up in coaching carousel rumors.

Tony White has found his name linked to the UCLA job, in particular. That includes USA Today recently putting him atop a hot board to be the UCLA head coach.

After just Week 3, all of this could easily be a distraction. At the same time, Norvell recently shared that he wants his staff to take those opportunities to advance when they’re the right choice. In the meantime, the focus needs to be on the Seminoles.

“When it comes to staff advancement and guys with potential opportunities as well as when those opportunities then become decisions that they need to make,” Mike Norvell said. “I mean, I’m here to support them. I’m not, have never been, a head coach that tries to talk down, any other things that are out there for guys. I want them to do the absolute best job that they can do in our time that we get to be together. They’ve got a responsibility to the place and a responsibility to the players, but still have a responsibility to themselves. I want coaches that desire for all. Same thing that I want for our players.”

Coaches, in general, like when their staff gets opportunities to grow. It shows that something is going right within the program and that they’ve found some success. It’s also something that is going to widen the pool of assistants, as they could view working on a particular staff as a path to their own head coaching job.

“Part of with guys coming here, I want to be a part of their growth. I want to be a part of their improvement, enjoyment of what this profession is and how we get to do it. So, I’m here to support all of our staff in that,” Norvell said. “And when you do a good job, there is always going to be — your name will be out there. There’s going to be rumors of what’s this, what’s that.”

In the case of Tony White, it makes sense that he’d be ready for a head coaching opportunity. He’s been coaching at the college level since 2007, his first year as a GA. In recent seasons, he’s established himself as one of the best defensive coordinators in the country, working on the Nebraska staff for Matt Rhule before making the jump to Florida State, where he has thrived early in his tenure.

UCLA also makes sense for Tony White. He played for the Bruins during his own playing career, and that’s where he got his start as a GA. The two have a connection that should help him understand the program.

“At the end of the day, it’s still about what you ultimately desire and want to do and making sure you find the best fit if it is to do something different. We’ve had a lot of coaches throughout the years that they’ve had great opportunities when it comes to the place or sometimes even the finances of things that are out there, but it was the best fit to be with us and to continue on in their growth. Sometimes the things that were said ‘no’ to early open up to greater opportunities in the future. So, it’s always an ever-flow of that for a coach, for a player,” Norvell said.

“It’s the same thing we talk to guys about in recruiting. We are all looking for the best fit. As they go through the process, journey, when you find that best fit and you know where your heart leads you, what is that opportunity for you to continue to grow and be the best you can, then you’ll make great decisions. I want to push all our coaches to aspire for growth, and hope they all get opportunities in the future that they then get to choose.”

For now, Tony White is focused on Florida State and Mike Norvell doesn’t need to find a new defensive coordinator. Instead, their focus is going to be on Kent State, who travels to Tallahassee on Saturday.