Mike Norvell reveals what he likes about FSU developing its identity during preseason

Mike Norvell is developing a culture at Florida State. Hopefully, in year three, it’s finally a winning culture after two losing seasons to kick off his tenure, and five straight overall. However, the Seminole coach is encouraged by what he’s seen from his guys in practices so far this season.

Norvell recently caught up with media after the team’s first scrimmage. As part of this press conference, he was asked about FSU’s identity ahead of the 2022 season. To which he gave sweeping praise to this year’s club for their great attitude towards adapting the culture that Norvell is trying to create.

Here was his full answer, including a bit of a motto for self-evaluation:

“You know, it’s a daily process to establish that. And like I told them before we got on the field and then afterwards: What you see is where you are.”

And what does Mike Norvell see?

“I see a team that, you know, they are working. I like the mentality. We continue to push the mentality. You know, the competitiveness. These guys, they want to win. They want to win being their best. And the physicality, the toughness, you’re continuing to — we talk about the ‘Nole Way, we want to play smart, we want to play fast, we’re going to play physical. Those are the steps that we’re working to take.

“When I see the investment, when I see guys, you know, they’re putting in the extra time to understand the situations, understand the schemes, the concepts, the details, the fundamentals, you know, that’s encouraging. And then you start to see them play faster. You see the explosive plays that are coming up on offense, defense and special teams. You see the physicality of toughness. We’re gonna work. And you see that competition is definitely pushing guys on a daily basis.”

So Norvell certainly likes what he sees from this team. Now, following the first scrimmage, it’s time to break down film and analyze how these guys can each take the next step. But that first step, the buy-in, is there for these Seminoles, according to their head coach.

“So that’s where we’re headed. We’ve got a few weeks before we get to kick it off, but every day we got to get closer. And, you know, this next week’s gonna be big with us coming back. We’re grading and evaluating the scrimmage. There’s gonna be guys that’ll be moving around, getting more opportunities.”