Kirby Smart Assistant Emerges as Candidate for Florida State Head Coaching Job
A Kirby Smart assistant is being linked to Florida State’s head coaching job. Here’s who he is and his ties to the new AD.
The Florida State Seminoles have parted ways with head coach Mike Norvell following a 36-24 loss to Clemson that left the team at 3-5 for the season. Norvell's record stands at 41-39, with a 23-30 mark in ACC games. The buyout for the fired coach is approximately $50.3 million, placing it among the highest in college football history.
In response to the news, the university announced the hiring of alumnus Jeff Purinton as the new athletic director. Purinton, who has spent eight years working for Florida State, previously served as the director of football communications and held various positions at Alabama, Arkansas State, and Learfield. His primary task will be leading the search for a new head coach.
On3's Pete Nakos reported that Purinton has established connections with at least two coaches currently under consideration for the job. One such coach is Georgia defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann. Nakos' board of candidates also includes Missouri's Eli Drinkwitz, Wake Forest's Jake Dickert, SMU's Rhett Lashlee, Arizona State's Kenny Dillingham, and Houston's Willie Fritz.
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