South Florida Sun-Sentinel Palm Beach (Sunday)
Norvell tests positive for COVID-19
Thomsen steps in as ’Noles boss
Florida State football coach Mike Norvell tested positive for COVID-19 but is not reporting any symptoms and is in quarantine, the Seminoles athletic department announced Saturday.
FSU has a bye this week and deputy head coach Chris Thomsen will take over preparing the Seminoles for a game at Miami on Sept. 26.
A Florida State official told the Orlando Sentinel Norvell’s positive test result was confirmed with followup screening. The ACC requires anyone who tests positive to be isolated for at least 10 days, with a longer quarantine possible if the person reports COVID-19 symptoms.
Norvell tested positive
Friday and will most likely be cleared to resume coaching the team on Monday, Sept. 28 — two days after the Seminoles’ game against the Hurricanes.
“In our most recent round of COVID testing yesterday, I received a positive result after being negative in our previous two tests this week,” Norvell stated in an FSU news release Saturday. “My wife and daughter were tested this morning with negative results but are quarantining.
“My result was surprising to me, but we have prepared for a potential positive result among anyone in our program and we will put that plan in place while I am away. I will remain involved remotely as much as possible to help our team continue to prepare.
“I’m grateful to the administration, players and staff for their commitment to the protocols we have in place, which have helped us limit contact with others and allowed us to continue moving forward.”
FSU athletics director David Coburn stated the school saw no reason to consider canceling or postponing the Seminoles’ next game against the rival Hurricanes.
“This is unfortunate, but luckily Coach is feeling fine,” Coburn said in a news release. “We are proceeding with our COVID protocols as we would with any other case. Coach is isolated, and university tracing staff is handling the contact tracing as they normally do.
“We will continue to test staff and student-athletes as we have been. We have communicated with [ACC] Commissioner John Swofford and Miami athletics director Blake James.
“At this point, based on our testing this week, we have no reason to believe that the Miami game is in jeopardy.”
Thomsen has 24 years of college coaching experience, spending the past three years working as the TCU offensive line coach. He was head coach at Abilene Christian from 2005-11, leading the Wildcats to a 51-21 record and six consecutive trips to the Division II playoffs. The team had never previously reached the Division II playoffs and had not won a conference championship since 1977.
Norvell has told reporters the staff spent extensive time during the preseason preparing the Seminoles for every possible scenario, including the loss of coaches and players due COVID-19 test results.
At least 15 college football games have been canceled due to COVID-19 test results so far this season. The list of schools impacted includes FAU, coached by former FSU coach Willie Taggart.
Email Iliana Limón Romero at ilimon@orlandosentinel.com.