Seminole Sunday Sauce — Dec. 8, 2024: FSU Football Begins Rebuilding Coaching Staff
Following the worst season in 50 years, Florida State football has wasted little time making changes.
On Monday, FSU officially introduced Gus Malzahn as its new offensive coordinator. Malzahn was previously the head coach at UCF where he guided the Knights to three bowl appearances in four years. UCF ranked in the top 20 nationally in yards per game this season. Malzahn spent eight years as head coach at Auburn from 2013 to 2020, guiding the Tigers to three New Year’s Six bowls, the 2013 SEC title, and an appearance in the BCS National Championship to conclude the 2013 season.
On the other side of the ball, Tony White, Terrance Knighton and Evan Cooper will take their talents from Nebraska to Tallahassee. Previously defensive coordinator at Arizona State, Syracuse and Nebraska, White’s defenses have ranked in the top 25 in total defense in each of the last four seasons. He will serve in that role for FSU, replacing Adam Fuller.
Knighton spent the last two seasons as defensive line coach for the Cornhuskers. Cooper will serve as safeties coach after spending the last two years at Nebraska. He previously worked for the Carolina Panthers, Temple and Baylor.
Odell Haggins, an assistant since 1994, will transition from defensive line coach to an off-field role. Haggins will retain his title as associate head coach.
More changes are expected from FSU’s coaching staff. In addition to offensive coordinator Alex Atkins and defensive coordinator Adam Fuller, wide receivers coach Ron Dugans was fired in November.
FOOTBALL
Record: 2-10 (1-7 ACC)
Ranking: N/A
Recognitions: Alex Mastromanno, P (All-ACC first team, All-ACC second team); Ryan Fitzgerald, K (All-ACC second team); Joshua Farmer, DL (All-ACC honorable mention); Darrell Jackson Jr., DT (All-ACC honorable mention); Azareye'h Thomas, CB (All-ACC honorable mention)
Commitments: Tyeland Coleman, 3-star JUCO DT* (No. 11 JUCO); Shamar Arnoux, 4-star CB (No. 383 overall); Sean Poret, 3-star OL* (No. 1,038 overall*); Teriq Mallory, 3-star WR* (No. 1,134 overall*); Ousmane Kromah, 4-star RB* (No. 73 overall*); Jayvan Boggs, 4-star WR* (No. 221 overall*); Tae’shaun Gelsey, 4-star WR* (No. 322 overall); LaJesse Harrold, 4-star EDGE* (No. 183 overall); Tylon Lee, 4-star DL (No. 278 overall*)
Decommitments: Peyton Joseph, 4-star OL* (No. 217 overall*); Solomon Thomas, 5-star OL* (No. 24 overall*)
2025 Recruiting Class Rank: No. 20 nationally, third in ACC (20 total commitments)
Wrap-up: After a dismal season, FSU left the Early Signing Period with a full staff and a top-20 recruiting class.
Volleyball
Record: 21-10
Ranking: No. 21 AVCA Coaches Poll
Past Week: (0-1), lost to Ole Miss in NCAA Tournament on Thursday, 3-2
Recognitions: Audrey Koenig, OH (All-ACC first team); Khori Louis, MB (All-ACC first team)
Wrap-up: After a solid year, FSU’s season ended in heartbreaking fashion in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Swimming and Diving
Ranking: Men No. 24 CSCAA
Past Week: Idle
Upcoming: at SMU (Jan. 17)
Recognitions: None
Wrap-up: FSU is in the midst of more than a month-long lull.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Record: 7-3 (0-1 ACC)
Ranking: N/A
Past Week: (0-2), lost to LSU in ACC/SEC Challenge on Tuesday, 85-75; lost at NC State on Saturday in overtime, 84-74
Upcoming: vs. Tulane (Saturday, Orange Bowl Classic)
Recognitions: None
Commitments: None
Decommitments: None
2025 Recruiting Class Rank: No. 88 nationally, 14th in ACC (2 total commitments)
Wrap-up: FSU dropped a heartbreaker to open ACC play in Raleigh.
WomEN’S BASKETBALL
Record: 8-2
Ranking: N/A
Past Week: (0-1), lost to Tennessee in ACC/SEC Challenge on Wednesday, 79-77
Upcoming: vs. SMU (Sunday)
Recognitions: Ta’Niya Latson, G (ACC Co-Player of the Week, World Exposure Report Player of the Week, Ann Meyers Drysdale National Player of the Week)
Wrap-up: After rallying from an 18-point deficit, FSU saw its 7-game winning streak end in the final seconds in Knoxville.
*Recruiting rankings according to the 247Sports Composite rankings
- Mike Ferguson is the lead writer for Double Fries No Slaw. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson. For all of his work, “Like” or “Follow” Mike on Facebook.
