Growing a coaching tree

New FSU leader Norvell is known for rapidly cultivating strong support staff

TALLAHASSEE — Mike Norvell built an impressive résumé at Memphis.

He led the Tigers to new heights, won a conference title and developed players. But there’s one thing that arguably stands out above the rest: his coaching tree.

In just four seasons as a head coach, Norvell’s coaching tree has grown rapidly.

At the start of this season, eight of his former assistants were at Power Five schools and six former assistants were coordinators.

Norvell had to replace seven assistant coaches following the 2018 season. Alabama coach Nick Saban had to replace the same number of assistants before this season.

Now that Norvell is at Florida State, he can pluck assistants from programs across the country.

“My phone has definitely been ringing off the hook,” Norvell said Sunday during his introductory news conference. “I have a great group of coaches that I have been with in the past [and] there are new coaches that I think could be a great fit for Florida State University.”

Norvell’s coaching tree spans throughout college football at both the Power Five and the Group of Five levels.

Dan Lanning is Georgia’s defensive coordinator. He was Memphis’ inside linebackers coach in 2016 and 2017.

Kenny Dillingham, who will join Norvell at FSU as the Seminoles’ offensive coordinator, spent the 2019 season serving as Auburn’s offensive coordinator. Dillingham was with Norvell for three seasons and was the Tigers’ offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2018.

Texas A&M offensive coordinator Darrell Dickey worked for both Norvell and Justin Fuente at Memphis. Dickey was the Tigers’ offensive coordinator and running backs coach from 2016-17 under Norvell.

Chip Long was Memphis’ offensive coordinator and tight ends coach in 2016 during Norvell’s first season. Long spent the past three seasons as Notre Dame’s offensive coordinator.

And Will Hall is the offensive coordinator at Tulane after spending 2018 as Memphis’ associate head coach and tight ends coach.

In total, Norvell said he thinks he’s made 26 coaching hires in the last few years before arriving at FSU. Even with the amount of turnover, he continued to have success at Memphis.

Norvell led the Tigers to a 12-1 record, the best season in program history, and the American Athletic Conference championship with a 29-24 win over Cincinnati. That secured a berth in the Cotton Bowl against Penn State on Dec. 28.

He compiled a 38-15 record during his four years with the Tigers.

“I think the key component to success in college football is evaluation,” Norvell said. “It’s something that I take a great deal of pride in: evaluating coaches, evaluating players, then making sure when you are around them [that] you develop them to really be able to achieve at a level higher than where they started.”

Norvell takes a CEO approach when hiring assistants.

The most important aspect is their ability as teachers on and off the field, serving as coaches who can inspire and build relationships with their players and encourage them as students. The hope is it translates to on-field success. Through Norvell’ first four seasons as a head coach, it has.

His FSU staff is already beginning to take shape. Along with Dillingham, Adam Fuller has followed Norvell to FSU and will serve as the Seminoles’ defensive coordinator. It’s the same role Fuller had at Memphis under Norvell during the 2019 season.

While he plucked familiar talent, Norvell also is hanging onto staff members with strong FSU ties. Interim coach Odell Haggins will be returning for the 2020 season as the associate head coach and defensive line coach. It will be Haggins’ 27th season as an assistant coach for the Seminoles, and he will be the longest-tenured assistant in the country next season.

Norvell also is retaining FSU wide receivers coach Ron Dugans, a former FSU receiver who led the Seminoles’ receivers unit during the 2019 season.

Norvell is working to fill out the rest of his staff while adjusting to his new home. If his past is any indication, the Seminoles’ coaching staff will be full of assistants who have had success under him.

“At the end of the day, this is going to be a process I make sure we bring the right fit into our football family,” Norvell said. “I can tell you it will be one of the best coaching staffs in the country.”