Mike Norvell insists Florida State is on the same page amid more player acrimony
By Mike Luciano
Mike Norvell insists everything is all right at Florida State.
Mike Norvell might be an offensive wizard that turned Memphis into one of the best Group of 5 teams in the country, but his tenure at Florida State has gotten off to an unusual start, as he now dealing with another small group of players lashing out at him.
After wide receivers Warren Thompson, DJ Matthews and Tamorrion Terry claimed that Norvell and the Seminole staff have not done an adequate job of making them feel safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the first-year FSU head coach said this team “is on the same page” despite the fact he hasn’t spoken to those three receivers since. That behavior could lead some to think that the locker room is still somewhat divided.
Mike Norvell has had to deal with two near-mutinies at Florida State
LB/DB Jaiden Lars-Woodbey defended Mike Norvell & FSU's training staff + said Norvell is "doing everything in his power to make sure that every individual is safe," and said he's been meticulous in his communication with players.
— Warchant.com (@Warchant) August 13, 2020
Watch more from Jaiden:https://t.co/735XBXFZRK pic.twitter.com/4U0fpCn9al
Norvell, who succeeded Willie Taggart in Tallahassee after a very successful stint with Memphis, has had to deal with two instances of players criticizing how he does business. Defensive tackle and projected first-round pick Marvin Wilson took Norvell to task for what he felt was an inadequate response to the death of George Floyd. Norvell already had a hard job ahead of him, but turning around the Seminoles just got even more difficult.
Mighty Florida State has finished under .500 in each of the last two seasons and Taggart didn’t leave Norvell with a great roster. Considering the friction between Norvell and some of his players despite the repeated insistence that everything is just fine and dandy, the Seminoles might have a tough time making waves in the ACC given the turbulent offseason.
Norvell’s offensive genius had better carry over to the Seminoles once they start playing games in 2020, as actions from some of his more well-known and respected players have cast doubts on his leadership ability.
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