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Mike Norvell, Gus Malzahn release first statements on hire at Florida State

Barkley-Truaxby:Barkley Truax•12/02/24•

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UCF head coach Gus Malzahn updates health of wife asks for continued prayers hospitalized infection
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Florida State has officially announced the hire of Gus Malzahn as its next offensive coordinator.

Within the announcement, both Malzahn and Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell released their first statements since the news broke over the weekend.

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“I am excited to be here at Florida State and to help us win championships,” Malzahn said, via the release. “It’s exciting to work with Coach Norvell, who is someone I believe in as a coach and leader.”

Norvell raved over the hire, noting his reputation for being one of the most unique coaches in all of college football.

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“I’m extremely excited to have Gus Malzahn join our staff at Florida State,” Norvell said. “He has one of the most innovative minds in college football and a proven track record of developing elite offenses everywhere he’s been. His offenses have consistently showcased a tremendous running game combined with explosive plays through the air. I’m thrilled to work side-by-side with Gus again as we elevate the Florida State offense back to one of the elite groups in college football.”

Malzahn previously serves as the head coaches of both Auburn and most recently UCF.

Malzahn took over the Knights program in 2021 and found quick success. The Knights finished with nine wins in each of his first two seasons before making the leap to the Big 12, and they went 6-7 a year ago. However, UCF struggled this year with a 4-8 record, leading to questions about Malzahn’s future in Orlando.

Now, he’s reuniting with Norvell. The two worked together at Tulsa, and Malzahn said he “discovered” both him through their connection with Springdale High School in Arkansas. Norvell was a graduate assistant and later worked his way up the coaching ranks and is now at Florida State, which made a slew of staff changes amid a two-win campaign.

Gus Malzahn last worked as an offensive coordinator from 2009-11 at Auburn before he returned to Arkansas as the Arkansas State head coach. Auburn then brought him back as head coach from 2012-20, and he amassed a 68-35 record and took the Tigers to the national championship in his first season at the helm.

On3’s Nick Schultz contributed to this report.