Norvell picks ’Noles rather than Cotton
Former Memphis coach eschews bowl game, is focused on FSU recruits
FSU coach Mike Norvell will not coach Memphis in the Cotton Bowl against Penn State on Dec. 28, he announced in a letter sent to multiple Memphis media outlets.
“It is with tremendous sadness announcing that I have coached my last game leading that great team,” Norvell wrote in a thankyou letter published Tuesday. “With the transition to a new opportunity and a restricted calendar, which is unique to this year, I will not be able to coach the Cotton Bowl.
“As I have told the team throughout my time, you give everything you have each and every day to the best of your ability focused on your CLIMB, and I could not stand in front of them without being able to prepare to the level they deserve. The team is in great hands with the administration, the coaching staff, and the leaders on the team will continue to do what they have been trained to do and RESPOND.”
Norvell led Memphis to its best season in program history. The Tigers are 12-1 and won the American Athletic Conference Championship in his final game with a 29-24 win over Cincinnati. He compiled a 38-15 record over four seasons at Memphis, building on what former coach Justin Fuente started before Fuente left for the Virginia Tech job.
Norvell’s letter also thanked the Memphis community for its support throughout his tenure.
FSU plays Arizona State in the
Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, on
Dec. 31.
With the early signing period beginning Dec. 18, the first day high school recruits can sign national letters of intent, Norvell has focused on contacting recruits. The Seminoles have 14 commitments in their 2020 recruiting class. FSU’s class is listed No. 22 nationally in the 247Sports.com composite rankings