Fisher defends defensive coach

Kelly under fire as Noles give up 24 second-half points.

TALLAHASSEE — With an unprecedented 1-3 start, several Florida State assistant coaches have come under fire from fans and media.

Defensive coordinator Charles Kelly probably has borne the brunt of the criticism.

Two days after FSU’s heartbreaking 24-20 loss to Miami, head coach Jimbo Fisher was asked about his evaluation of Kelly’s performance.

“I have extreme confidence in Charles. Charles is a great football coach,” Fisher said. “He coached a very good game but they made a couple plays at the end. He’s done a really nice job. We will continue with Charles being our coordinator. We’ll go through this year and hopefully he can finish the year very strong.”

Last year, Kelly received a new five-year contract. His annual salary is $858,000, and then he will receive $883,000 in the final three years of the deal.

In the second half of the loss to Miami, the Seminoles defense gave up 280 yards and 24 points. The final 14 points came on UM’s last two drives, which went 75 yards each. The defense surrendered five third-down conversions of 10 or more yards during the game.

Florida State, which returned nine starters from the 2016 defense, ranks No. 28 nationally in total defense, No. 26 in rushing defense and No. 71 in pass efficiency defense.

Early starts: FSU’s next two games are scheduled for noon kickoffs: Saturday at Duke (televised by ESPN2) and the Oct. 21 home game against Lamar Jackson and Louisville. The Louisvile game will air on ABC, ESPN or ESPN2.