’Noles to kick off spring practice March 9
Florida State will open spring camp March 9 and coach Mike Norvell couldn’t be happier about seeing the Seminoles back in action on the football field.
“I can tell you I’m as excited about this spring practice as I’ve ever been,” Norvell said during the team’s National Signing Day news conference Wednesday. “It’s one of my favorite times as a coach. That’s where the identity of your team gets established — the toughness, the details, the fundamentals and the adjustments.
“We have a year under our belts and we have a great sense of where our guys were, but we also know where they’re building to be. So, we’re going to be able to adapt and adjust around those 15 practices and we’re going to maximize every one of them.”
FSU managed to hold three practices in March 2020 before the campus shut down due to growing concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. Players and coaches returned to their homes to remain in self-isolation for the next three months before returning for fall camp.
It wasn’t the start Norvell anticipated in his first season with the Seminoles, so it’s understandable he would be excited about spring practice this time around.
FSU managed a 3-6 record in 2020 as the Seminoles worked through the growing pains of a young team as well as the challenges associated with COVID-19.
Norvell believes the program can manage the challenges of spring camp despite the ongoing pandemic.
“I’m fully expecting we’re going to handle that and utilize those dates the best that we can,” Norvell said. “That doesn’t mean that adjustments might have to be made. We’ll be willing and ready to do that. We’re well-versed to change.
“We still have half our winter program to continue to grow and build and put ourselves in the best position when we do step on the field on March 9.”
The Seminoles already announced the team would host its annual spring football game April 10.