Assistant coaches given extensions, pay raises
Florida State’s success on the football field has resulted in a financial boost for many of its assistant coaches, who received contract extensions over the past few months.
The Seminoles put together their first 10-win season since 2016, capped by a 35-32 win over Oklahoma in the Cheez-It Bowl. In the process, the team knocked off in-state rivals Miami and Florida while putting together some of their best offensive and defensive numbers since 2017.
Offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Alex Atkins agreed to a multiyear contract extension on Feb. 8 that pays him a base salary of $200,000 annually through Feb. 28, 2026, with additional compensation totaling $1.15 million this season, $1.25 million in 2024-25 and $1.3 million in 2025-26.
Atkins received a raise that paid him $850,000 last season after signing a contract extension last March when he was promoted to offensive coordinator.
Defensive coordinator Adam Fuller reached an agreement on an extension on Dec. 16 that runs through Feb. 28, 2025 and pays him a compensation package of $1.2 million in 2023-24 and $1.3 million in 2024-25. He made $900,000 in 2022.
Last season, 49 Football Bowl Subdivision assistant coaches made at least $1 million annually; three came from the ACC.
FSU assistants were paid $5.96 million in 2022-23, according to the USA Today assistant coaches database, but that figure rose to $6.62 million for 2023-24. The university provided the assistant coaches’ contracts to the Orlando Sentinel and other media outlets after a Freedom of Information request.
Defensive backs coach Patrick Surtain Sr., who the Seminoles hired on Jan. 18, is set to make a base salary of $200,000 with a compensation package of $400,000 a year as part of a contract that runs through Feb. 28, 2025. His salary climbs to $500,000 in the 2024 season and part of his compensation package includes making media and speaking appearances.
Surtain also receives a car allowance of $650 a month and the university will either provide or give him a budget for a company cellphone. He also receives four tickets to all home football games and a $20,000 signing bonus to help with moving expenses.
Special teams coordinator and defensive ends coach John Papuchis signed a two-year extension on Dec. 16 which pays him $700,000 in 2023-24 and $750,000 in 2024-25.
Ron Dugans (receivers), David Johnson (running backs, recruiting) and Tony Tokarz (quarterbacks) all reached deals through February 2025. Each received raises to their annual compensation packages: Dugans ($500,000), Johnson ($550,000) and Tokarz ($400,000).
Tight ends coach Chris Thomsen signed his amendment on Feb. 14 which is good through Feb. 29, 2024. His annual pay remains at $500,000. Defensive line coach Odell Haggins signed a 1-year extension on Jan. 20 that keeps him at FSU through the 2023-24 season and keeps his compensation at $600,000.
Linebackers coach Randy Shannon also reached a 1-year extension that increased his annual salary to $625,000.
Coach Mike Norvell, who took over the program in 2020, signed a 3-year contract extension on Feb. 18. He’ll make an average annual salary of $8 million through the 2029 season.