🏹 December 8th - The Chief Brief 🏹

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

TGIF Seminole Nation

Here’s what we’ve got in store for you today:

🎓🏅 FSU's Baseball Legend Enters Hall of Fame: Celebrating Mike Fuentes' Induction into the College Baseball Hall of Fame. A Seminole icon known for his Golden Spikes Award and All-American status.

🏀 Noles Dominate on the Court: FSU Women's Basketball secures a massive win against Jacksonville University, showcasing teamwork and skill with standout performances.

🏈 Defensive Mastery Rewarded: FSU's Adam Fuller gets a three-year contract extension, acknowledging his role in crafting one of the nation's top defenses.

🚧 Football Facility Project Update: FSU's football facility faces a new hurdle, but the university is determined to move forward with the vital project.

🤔 Playoff Snub Stirs FSU Community: FSU fans react with fervor to the College Football Playoff exclusion, challenging the decision-makers.

🔄 FSU in the Transfer Portal: Keeping up with FSU's activity in the Transfer Portal – offers, departures, and planning visits for future Seminole stars.

🏈 Star Receiver's Visit Sparks Excitement: Jeremiah Smith, the nation's top wide receiver, visits Tallahassee, fueling speculation about his commitment.

🎓🏅 FSU's Mike Fuentes Inducted into College Baseball Hall of Fame

Former Seminole outfielder Mike Fuentes is set to be inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame, joining the elite 16th induction class in February 2024. Fuentes, a standout at Florida State from 1978-1981, earned the prestigious 1981 Golden Spikes Award and was a two-time All-American.

His impressive FSU career stats include a .373 batting average, 280 hits, 64 home runs, and 233 RBIs, earning him a spot in the Florida State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1987.

After being drafted in 1980, Fuentes returned to FSU to win the Golden Spikes Award and was then selected in the second round in 1981, eventually making his MLB debut with the Montreal Expos in 1983.

Fuentes is the sixth Seminole to enter the College Baseball Hall of Fame, a testament to the legacy of FSU's baseball program. His induction celebrates his remarkable contribution to college baseball and FSU's storied history.

🏀 FSU Women's Basketball Secures Dominant Win Against Jacksonville

The No. 20 Florida State Women's Basketball team notched a 99-73 win over Jacksonville University, elevating their record to 7-2. The game, marked as an Education Game, was held at the Donald L. Tucker Center, drawing an energetic youth crowd.

FSU's victory was fueled by junior forward Makayla Timpson, who scored 19 points and secured her fifth double-double of the season, and Ta'Niya Latson, who contributed 18 points. The team showed strong cohesion with 18 assists, led by junior guard O'Mariah Gordon with eight assists and 12 points.

The Seminoles established a commanding lead early on, finishing the first quarter 26-10 ahead and extending their advantage to 21 points by halftime. Their offensive efficiency was on full display, shooting a season-best 56.3 percent for the game.

In the final quarter, FSU continued their dominance, concluding with an 11-0 scoring run. The team excelled defensively too, with eight blocked shots and a notable 22-5 lead in second-chance points.

Looking forward, FSU is gearing up for a challenging match against No. 2 UCLA, set to be broadcast nationally on ESPN2 as part of the Basketball Hall of Fame Women's Showcase.

🏈 FSU's Adam Fuller Awarded Extension After Stellar Season

Florida State Seminoles have rewarded defensive coordinator Adam Fuller with a three-year contract extension and a raise, acknowledging his pivotal role in the team's undefeated 13-0 season. This development, as reported by Pete Thamel of ESPN, comes after Fuller led one of the nation’s top defensive units.

Fuller, already the highest-paid assistant on FSU's staff with a $1.2 million salary, guided the Seminoles to a No. 6 national ranking in scoring defense. His defense was instrumental in FSU's ACC Championship win, notably stifling Louisville's offense to just 188 total yards and 2.7 yards per play in the championship game.

The Seminole defense, under Fuller's direction, delivered a season-high seven sacks and forced an interception in the ACC Championship Game. Their dominant performance included 14 tackles for loss and 10 pass breakups, showcasing their effectiveness in critical games.

Fuller's continuation with FSU is seen as crucial, especially as the team prepares for their upcoming Orange Bowl clash against Georgia on December 30th.

Fuller joined Florida State in December 2019 from Memphis Tigers, bringing experience from his time with Marshall Thundering Herd, Chattanooga, Assumption College, and the Richmond Spiders.

🚧 FSU Football Facility Project Faces New Challenge

Florida State University's plans for a standalone football facility have encountered another obstacle, as the university and Seminole Boosters Inc. have mutually parted ways with Childers Construction, the firm initially selected for the project. Despite this setback, FSU remains committed to advancing the project "on schedule and within budget."

The journey towards establishing this football operations center has been ongoing since early 2017, evolving through various designs and leadership changes, including three head football coaches and multiple athletic directors and booster club presidents.

With groundbreaking occurring a year ago and infrastructure work already underway, the anticipated completion date was set for the summer of 2025.

However, the recent departure of Childers Construction necessitates the selection of a new construction manager, expected to be announced by the end of the month.

The proposed facility, approximately 150,000 square feet in size, is estimated to cost around $138 million. Earlier this year, the FSU Board of Trustees approved a plan to finance over $100 million for the project.

The decision to terminate the agreement with Childers Construction stemmed from an inability to reach a consensus on a guaranteed maximum price for the construction.

Despite this challenge, FSU is actively working to ensure the project's progress remains on track.

🤔 FSU Fans React to College Football Playoff Exclusion

The decision to leave Florida State, an undefeated Power Five Conference Champion, out of the College Football Playoff has sparked widespread frustration and feelings of betrayal among FSU fans.

Despite a flawless 13-0 season and securing the ACC championship, the Seminoles faced what many are calling a "Sunday Screwjob" from the playoff selection committee.

The committee, comprising 13 individuals, faced immediate backlash for their decision, which is seen as costing FSU millions in potential revenue and a chance to compete for a national title.

The outrage has manifested in various forms, with FSU supporters actively seeking ways to express their discontent.

In the aftermath of the announcement, the College Football Playoff's website experienced a significant increase in traffic, with fans looking to contact the committee directly.

A page listing the committee's contact details, including an address in Irving, Texas, phone numbers, and email addresses, became a focal point for fans to voice their opinions.

However, in recent days, an adjustment was made to remove this contact page, leading to a 404 error message and indicating that the page no longer exists. This move seems to be a response to the intense pressure from the public.

Their contact information, including email addresses and phone numbers, has been widely circulated among FSU supporters seeking to express their dissatisfaction with the decision.

In fact, if you’d like to do so, here they are:

Bill Hancock, CFP Executive Director: (469) 262-5201

Byron Hatch, CFP Chief Operating Officer: (469) 262-5202

Boo Corrigan, NC State Athletic Director: (919) 515-2109/[email protected]

Chris Ault, retired - former head coach and Athletic Director at Nevada

Mitch Barnhart, Kentucky Athletic Director: (859) 257-8015/[email protected]

Chet Gladchuk, U.S. Naval Academy Athletic Director: (410) 293-8910/[email protected]

Jim Grobe, retired - former head coach at Ohio, Wake Forest, and Baylor

Mark Harlan, Utah Athletic Director: (801) 581-3508/[email protected]

Warde Manuel, Michigan Athletic Director: (734) 764-9416/[email protected]

David Sayler, Miami (Oh) Athletic Director: (513) 529-7286

Will Shields, operates fitness center in Overland Park, Kansas: (913) 888-9247

Gene Taylor, Kansas State Athletic Director: (785) 532-6910

Joe Taylor, Vice-President for Intercollegiate Athletics and Community Wellness: (804) 342-1488/[email protected]

Rod West, Group President, Utility Operations for Entergy Corporation: (321) 332-6963/[email protected]

Kelly Whiteside, Professor, Montclair State University: (973) 655-3265/[email protected]

It would be such a shame if these people heard from the community they chose to unfairly and unjustly exclude from what was earned 🙃

🔄 FSU Navigates Transfer Portal Activity with Offers, Departures, and Visits

Florida State University's engagement with the Transfer Portal is in full swing, marked by extended offers, departures of players, and the organization of official visits. Here’s a rundown of the recent activities involving FSU in the Transfer Portal:

Departures from FSU's 2023 Team:

1. TE Markeston Douglas (12/4)

2. TE Preston Daniel (12/4)

3. RB CJ Campbell (12/4)

4. LB Dylan Brown-Turner (12/4)

5. WR Winston Wright (10/26)

6. QB AJ Duffy (12/4)

7. OL Qae'shon Sapp (12/5)

8. OL Daughtry Richardson (12/5)

9. DT Ayobami Tifase (12/5)

10. OL Bless Harris (12/6)

11. OL Thomas Shrader (12/7)

Quarterback Targets:

FSU’s continued interest in quarterbacks appears to be focused on Cameron Ward and DJ Uiagalelei. Most news sources have DJ Uiagalelei favored to land with the Noles. Other quarterbacks to keep an eye on include Dillon Gabriel and Grayson McCall, although there have not been any real indications yet in terms of interest from FSU or from the players.

Official Visits Set Up for Pass Rushers:

FSU has organized official visits for two prominent pass rushers:

• Samuel Okunlola, a defensive end from Pittsburgh, believed to be on his first official visit.

• Kyle Kennard, a defensive end from Georgia Tech, who as a sophomore recorded 36 tackles, 4.5 TFL, and 2.0 sacks.

Offer Extended to Defensive Tackle:

FSU has offered a scholarship to sophomore transfer from UF Chris McClellan (DT) following his entry into the Transfer Portal. McClellan’s stats include 23 total tackles, 1 TFL, and 0.5 sacks, along with 23 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and 1.5 sacks as a true freshman in 2022. He's also received offers from other prominent programs, including Oklahoma.

🏈 Top Wide Receiver Jeremiah Smith Visits Tallahassee Ahead of FSU Official Visit

Jeremiah Smith, a five-star wide receiver and Ohio State commit, visited Tallahassee for the Class 1M state championship game, where his team, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, clinched a 56-0 victory over Clearwater Central Catholic. Smith's performance in the game underlined his status as the nation's top wide receiver.

The presence of multiple college coaches, including Florida State's Ron Dugans, Miami's Kevin Beard, and Ohio State's Brian Hartline, highlighted the game's significance. Notably, Smith sported Florida State gloves during the match, fueling speculation about his recruitment.

Smith's upcoming official visit to Florida State adds to his ongoing interactions with the Seminoles. His visits to FSU games against LSU, Miami, and Florida have significantly impacted his recruitment, especially with FSU's impressive offense this season.

Despite the allure of FSU, Smith maintains that Ohio State remains his primary focus. "It's just Ohio State. That's what's on my mind now," he stated, indicating his commitment to the Buckeyes. However, he also acknowledged that he's keeping his options open, with no specific "biggest threat" to Ohio State in his recruitment. It's also been reported that Smith was expected to stand firm on his pledge to Ohio State in any public interviews with Brian Hartline (OSU Receivers Coach).

Smith's official visit to Florida State, starting on Friday, marks a critical moment in his recruitment process as he approaches the signing day on December 20. The visit could be a pivotal factor in determining whether FSU can sway him from his current commitment to Ohio State.

That wraps up this edition of The Chief Brief!

Thank you for joining us on this journey through the latest and greatest in FSU sports. From historical achievements to future prospects, we've covered the spectrum, keeping you connected with all things Seminole.

Enjoy your first weekend without any football concerns.

Stay tuned for more updates, insights, and FSU stories in our next edition. Go Noles!