FSU’s Overhaul: Can History Repeat Itself?
The 2023 season had been a nightmare for Florida State University’s football team, finishing with a dismal 2-10 record. As the season concluded with a loss to Florida, head coach Mike Norvell wasted no time in reshaping his coaching staff. The hiring of UCF coach Gus Malzahn as the new offensive coordinator and Nebraska’s Tony White as the defensive coordinator marked the beginning of a major overhaul for the Seminoles.
The radical changes included a significant player turnover, new recruits from the transfer portal, and adjustments to the team’s strategies. While the goal was to rejuvenate the struggling program, history has shown that replacing both coordinators can be a risky move, often leading to further challenges for the team.
UCF’s Struggle in 2024
Previous year’s record: 6-7 (3-6 Big 12)
New offensive coordinator: Tim Harris Jr./Darin Hinshaw (Hinshaw had been OC in 2023)
New defensive coordinator: Ted Roof (replaced co-coordinators Addison Williams and David Gibbs)
2024 record:4-8 (2-7 Big 12)
Despite high hopes for a successful season, UCF’s performance in 2024 fell short of expectations. While Malzahn initially showed promise when he took over offensive play-calling duties, the team struggled with multiple starting quarterbacks and a weak passing offense. On the defensive side, Roof’s tenure was short-lived as he was fired mid-season due to poor results. Additionally, Malzahn’s departure at the end of the season further added to the team’s challenges.
Miami’s Ups and Downs in 2023
Previous year’s record: 5-7 (3-5 ACC)
New offensive coordinator: Shannon Dawson (replaced Josh Gattis)
New defensive coordinator: Lance Guidry (replaced Kevin Steele)
2023 record: 7-6 (3-5 ACC)
Miami faced a rollercoaster ride in the 2023 season under coach Mario Cristobal. With new coordinators in place, the team showed improvement in both offensive and defensive performances. However, inconsistent results in the latter part of the season, including a disappointing bowl game loss, led to changes in the coaching staff. Guidry’s departure after the season added to the team’s challenges, highlighting the complexities of adapting to new coordinators.
FAU’s Coordinator Carousel
After 2020: Parted ways with co-offensive coordinator Clint Trickett (who went to Marshall). Co-offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer left for New Mexico. Defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt went to SMU.
After 2021: Offensive coordinator Mike Johnson went to Syracuse, defensive coordinator Mike Stoops went to Kentucky.
After 2022: Taggart was fired.
Despite promising long-term commitment to the Florida Atlantic University, Willie Taggart found himself cycling through coordinators during his three-year tenure. The team’s mediocre performance and limited success in reaching bowl games ultimately led to Taggart’s departure, highlighting the challenges of sustaining a coaching staff and achieving consistent results.
