Mike Norvell shares value Zach Arnett brings to Florida State staff

After what was a disastrous 2024 season, Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell has been looking for answers throughout the offseason. That has included some major changes to the coaching staff for the Seminoles.

Among the recent changes that Mike Norvell made was to bring in former head coach Zach Arnett as a senior analyst for the defense. Now, with Fall Camp ready to open up, Norvell shared the value that comes with adding Arnett to the staff.

“So grateful for the opportunity to have Coach Arnett here,” Mike Norvell said. “I think Zach is, one, an outstanding person. Just having him for the last, I guess, right around a month or three weeks, whatever that time frame has been, just seeing him and his interaction with the guys on this staff, seeing his interaction with the players, he brings great energy.”

Zach Arnett played his college football at New Mexico, where he was coached by current Florida State defensive coordinator Tony White. Then, in 2011, Arnett got into coaching at San Diego State while White was on that coaching staff. He’d later make the jump to Mississippi State to be the defensive coordinator. Then, following Mike Leach‘s passing, he would be promoted to head coach. However, it was a difficult and brief tenure. He’d go 5-6, with the school moving on from him before he could complete one full season.

Since his time at Mississippi State, Zach Arnett has spent time as an analyst at Ole Miss. He’d then go to UNLV to briefly be their defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. However, he’d resign for personal reasons before coaching a game there.

“This is the first time I’m getting a chance to work side by side with him, but has had great relationships. I’ve had a great deal of respect for the job that he’s done throughout the course of his career. And to be able to bring him in, somebody who is obviously very familiar with Coach White. Tony coached him when he was in college. This goes back 15, 20 years for just for their relationship. To be able to have guys that have that belief in each other, the understanding,” Norvell said. “But also, Zach brings his perspective on all things and helping support and push our defense as well as our program to where we all want it to go. So, it was a great opportunity, and very excited about his role and the impact that he’s going to make here.”

The Florida State Seminoles are coming off a 2-10 season. The offensive side of the ball was heavily critiqued throughout the year. However, the defense had its own issues. The Seminoles finished 86th nationally in total defense, averaging 385.9 yards allowed per game. Florida State was also 87th nationally in scoring defense, giving up 28 points per game.

Now, with a new look Florida State staff, the Seminoles are getting ready for the 2025 season, looking for better results. That season is going to start with a very difficult test. Alabama comes to Tallahassee on August 30th for a key showdown.