Andrews joins Seminoles’ staff
TALLAHASSEE — Longtime Florida State defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews has rejoined the Seminoles coaching staff as a special assistant to new coach Willie Taggart, the school announced on Friday.
Andrews was Florida State’s defensive coordinator from 1984-2009 under legendary head coach Bobby Bowden. Together, they led FSU to its first two national titles in 1993 and 1999.
Now Andrews will be tasked with providing insight to Taggart, who will begin his first season as FSU’s coach with the season opener against Virginia Tech in Doak Campbell Stadium on Sept. 3.
“[Taggart] said with all the success that we had at Florida State, he just wondered if I’d be interested in coming on board,” Andrews said in a phone call with the Orlando Sentinel.
“I really don’t know what my title is, but I guess I’ll be a consultant,” Andrews continued with a laugh. “But I’ll be at practices, go to meetings and just be around the coaches and the players, and I’ll pick up something that might be helpful.”
Andrews said Taggart presented the idea of being around the FSU program a few weeks ago before meeting with the coaching staff and agreeing to the new role Friday.
“I told him, ‘Listen, I’ve been retired 89 years and I kinda like it,’ ” Andrews joked.
After the meeting, Andrews said Taggart told him to visit the equipment office so he would have some new Seminoles gear to wear when the team opens fall camp on Monday.
Although being a special assistant is a new post Andrews is not accustomed to, Andrews said he “will do as much as I can” to help Taggart and the Seminoles.
“I don’t want those coaches to feel like I’m evaluating them or anything like that — you don’t have to worry anything like that,” Andrews said he told Taggart.
“But I told him I love the university. I love what Coach Bowden did, and the players that were there. If I can help you, and your team be successful, I’d be very interest in that.”