Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy humpday, Seminole!

There’s a whole lot going on and we’re giving you the primer here with more on recruits tomorrow:

🏀 Seminoles Stay Perfect on the Court: The men’s basketball team pulled off a balanced, team-wide effort in their victory over Tarleton State, showcasing FSU’s depth and setting the stage for a heated matchup against No. 21 Florida this Friday.

⛳ Golfing Excellence: Mirabel Ting and Lottie Woad land spots on the ANNIKA Award Watch List, solidifying their status among the nation’s elite. Meanwhile, Seminole golf legend Caroline Westrup receives a Hall of Fame nod, and Luke Clanton joins the Haskins Award Watch List as FSU’s golf legacy continues to grow.

🏆 Women’s Basketball Star Power: Ta'Niya Latson is in the spotlight again, earning a place on the Wade Watch List as she continues her record-breaking season.

📈 Inside the Football Shakeup: FSU’s AD Michael Alford takes us behind the scenes on the recent coaching changes, detailing the shared vision and commitment to rebuilding FSU’s football standard.

🔥 OC Search in Full Swing: With Norvell ready to relinquish play-calling, the search for a new offensive coordinator hints at a potential scheme overhaul. From young innovators to seasoned pros, FSU’s list of candidates promises an exciting shift ahead.

🏀 Seminoles Overcome Tarleton State in Balanced Team Effort, Remain Undefeated 🏀

Florida State men’s basketball continued its winning streak with a 72-52 victory over Tarleton State, bringing their record to 3-0 under head coach Leonard Hamilton. This balanced team performance featured contributions from 12 players, showcasing FSU’s depth and defensive strength ahead of their Friday matchup against No. 21 Florida.

Team Effort Shines
The Seminoles spread the scoring around, with freshman Daquan Davis leading with nine points. He was one of five players who scored eight or more points, while seniors Jamir Watkins and Bostyn Holt, along with juniors Chandler Jackson and Justin Thomas, each added eight points. The defense was especially sharp, limiting the Texans to a season-low 52 points on 31.1% shooting.

Dominant Rebounding & Defense
FSU’s rebounding was just as collective, with Taylor Bol Bowen and Jackson leading with five boards each. The defense forced 21 turnovers and recorded 13 steals and six blocks, maintaining control of the game’s pace. The team’s defensive tenacity held Tarleton State to just five field goals in the second half.

Next Up: Rivalry Match vs. Florida
The Seminoles will face No. 21 Florida on Friday, a significant test early in the season. Fans attending the game at the Donald L. Tucker Center are encouraged to bring an unopened toy to support children in Tallahassee this holiday season.

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⛳ FSU Golf Stars Ting and Woad Named to ANNIKA Award Watch List ⛳

Florida State All-Americans Mirabel Ting and Lottie Woad have earned spots on the prestigious ANNIKA Award Watch list, highlighting the nation’s top collegiate women golfers. This honor places the FSU duo among only five programs with multiple players recognized, underscoring their remarkable performance in one of the most competitive seasons to date.

Ting and Woad’s Impressive Seasons
Woad, ranked as the No. 1 amateur globally for 15 consecutive weeks, has been a consistent finalist in past seasons. She led the Seminoles with a victory at the Landfall Tradition, a third-place finish at the Jackson T. Stephens Cup, and an impressive ACC Golfer of the Month nod for October. Her career-low round of 65 tied the FSU school record.

Ting, currently ranked No. 6 worldwide, showcased her elite skills with victories at both the Folds of Honor Collegiate and the Schooner Fall Classic. She led the team with a 68.80 stroke average and earned the ACC Golfer of the Month award in September.

Team Success and Upcoming Season
Together, Ting and Woad propelled FSU to four top-four finishes this fall, including a win at the Landfall Tradition. The Seminoles will begin their spring season at the IJGA Collegiate Invitational in Guadalajara, Mexico (Jan 30-Feb 1), followed by hosting the highly anticipated Florida State Match Up at the Seminole Legacy Golf Course in March.

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🏆 FSU Golf Legend Caroline Westrup to be Inducted into WGCA Hall of Fame 🏆

Florida State Golf All-American Caroline Westrup is set to become the first Seminole ever inducted into the WGCA Players Hall of Fame on December 9, 2024. Westrup, who won five individual championships and earned All-American honors each year at FSU, will be honored in Las Vegas at Planet Hollywood Resort.

Record-Breaking Career at FSU
During her time as a Seminole, Westrup set the standard in FSU golf, recording a 73.23 career stroke average—the best in program history at the time. She captured five individual titles and posted 18 top-10 finishes across her 37 career events. Westrup’s consistent performance earned her four consecutive All-ACC and All-American honors, marking her as FSU’s first four-time All-American.

Professional Career and Coaching Legacy
After her collegiate success, Westrup turned professional, competing on the LPGA, LET, and Symetra Tours, and notched two professional wins. She now serves as the head coach at the University of Missouri, where she continues to make an impact by leading players to record-breaking performances.

Westrup expressed her pride in this milestone, stating, “To be inducted...is a huge honor. College was four amazing years with my coaches and teammates. Florida State has a huge place in my heart, and I will always bleed Garnet and Gold.”

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🏌️‍♂️ FSU’s Luke Clanton Named to Haskins Award Watch List 🏌️‍♂️

Florida State junior Luke Clanton has been named to the 2024-25 Haskins Award Final Fall Watch List, recognizing his impressive achievements in collegiate golf. Clanton is one of just five ACC golfers on this prestigious list, which celebrates the top male U.S. collegiate golfer as voted by players, coaches, and media.

Historic Achievement and Current Form
Clanton made history this summer, becoming the first amateur to secure back-to-back top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour since 1958. The 2024 McCormack Medal winner, he currently holds the No. 1 spot in the World Amateur Golf Ranking—a position he has maintained since August.

Consistent Excellence in the Fall Season
This fall, Clanton competed in three tournaments for the Seminoles, achieving three top-15 finishes. At the East Lake Cup, he shined in match play, defeating reigning Haskins Award winner Jackson Koivun of Auburn and dominating Ohio State’s Jack Vojtko. In stroke play, he placed fourth at 1-under, contributing to FSU’s second-place team finish at 7-under.

Upcoming Competitions and Walker Cup Practice
Clanton is set to compete in the RSM Classic at Sea Island Golf Club from Nov. 18-24. Additionally, he is one of 16 players invited to a December practice session for the 2025 Walker Cup Match at renowned courses in Jupiter, Florida.

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🏆 Ta'Niya Latson Earns Spot on Prestigious Wade Watch List 🏆

Florida State junior guard Ta'Niya Latson has been named to the prestigious Wade Watch List by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association, one of only 15 athletes in the nation and two from the ACC recognized as early contenders for the Wade Trophy.

This award, college women’s basketball’s oldest national player of the year honor, is presented annually to the WBCA NCAA Division I Player of the Year.

Incredible Start to the Season
Latson has been on fire through the first three games, leading all scorers in each matchup and tallying a remarkable 75 points—an average of 25.0 points per game. In her recent game against Florida A&M, Latson tied her career high in free throws, sinking 15 and matching the program record she shares with Carla Williams and Cierra Bravard.

Climbing FSU’s Record Books
The Miami native’s strong start has vaulted her to 10th place on FSU’s all-time scoring list, with a career total of 1,439 points.

Accolades Continue to Pile Up
This season alone, Latson has already been named to the Preseason All-ACC Team, the Naismith Trophy Watch List, the Ann Myers Drysdale Watch List, and the Wooden Award Watch List—solidifying her position as one of the nation’s top players.

Up Next
Latson and the Seminoles (2-1) will host Samford for Seminole Heritage Night on November 14 at 6 p.m. at the Donald L. Tucker Center, where fans can see her continue her impressive season.

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📈 FSU’s AD Michael Alford Opens Up About Coaching Shakeup, Backstage Dynamics, and Next Steps 📈

As Florida State’s turbulent season prompted the dismissal of three key coaches, including offensive and defensive coordinators, AD Michael Alford provided a candid look behind the scenes.

He detailed the “constant communication” between himself and head coach Mike Norvell, revealing a deep partnership and shared vision for FSU’s future.

This shakeup wasn’t an impulsive move; it was weeks in the making, fueled by ongoing evaluations and nightly strategizing sessions, showing just how intricate and high-stakes this season’s decisions have been.

Norvell’s Commitment, Alford’s Confidence Alford praised Norvell’s integrity, emphasizing his personal investment in the program and his commitment to players and staff.

Describing the difficulty of these decisions, Alford’s comments reaffirmed the unique bond he and Norvell share—a partnership built on mutual respect and a common mission to guide FSU back to its standards.

Despite a 1-9 record, Alford remains “100 percent” confident in Norvell’s leadership, citing his vision and relentless work ethic as reasons to trust in his trajectory.

High-Profile Interest in FSU’s Future Despite recent setbacks, FSU’s standard has attracted inquiries from notable coaching candidates, indicating that FSU’s brand remains strong on the recruiting front.

This interest reinforces Alford and Norvell’s confidence in the program’s appeal and potential for a swift turnaround.

A Holistic Program Overhaul Alford hinted that this staffing shift is just the beginning, with “every aspect” of the program under review.

He’s focused on building a “winning-edge” environment, ensuring Norvell has the resources to run an elite operation.

This commitment to detail signals that, while the season may be winding down, the work to rebuild FSU’s football culture and standard is just heating up.

With Alford’s backing, FSU fans can expect to see Norvell dive into the coaching market with high standards and a clear vision, intent on transforming this challenging season into the foundation of a stronger, more resilient FSU football program.

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🔥 FSU's Search for an OC Begins: New Scheme on the Horizon? 🔥

Florida State’s hunt for a new offensive coordinator could signal a major shift for the Seminoles. Head coach Mike Norvell has openly stated he’s willing to pass off play-calling duties and may even bring in an OC who can implement a fresh offensive scheme. Coming off a season marked by struggles, Norvell seems prepared to inject new ideas and flexibility into FSU’s approach. Below are some intriguing candidates being considered:

Kade Bell, Pitt OC At just 31, Bell has regional ties and a proven record of transformation. After a standout season at Western Carolina, where his offense led the FCS, Bell has brought Pitt’s offense to the Top 30. Known for a balanced and adaptive strategy, Bell’s youth and energy could be a game-changer for FSU.

Brennan Marion, UNLV OC Marion brings an innovative “Go-Go” offense—a spread triple-option with unique RB spacing—that’s pushed UNLV into the Top 20 this year. With a strong Norvell connection and experience developing elite receivers like Jordan Addison and Xavier Worthy, Marion could bring the creativity FSU needs.

Buster Faulkner, Georgia Tech OC Known for his effective rushing schemes, Faulkner has experience across the Southeast and success under difficult conditions at GT. His Southeast roots and focus on the ground game align well with FSU’s strengths and needs.

Ben Arbuckle, Washington State OC At just 29, Arbuckle’s offense at Washington State ranks Top 25, and he’s already made waves with his dual-threat QB development. With a knack for maximizing talent quickly, Arbuckle’s high-energy style could be a strong fit for FSU’s evolving identity.

Dan Mullen, Former Florida Head Coach A bold choice, Mullen’s offensive prowess and QB development record are undeniable. While he’s a polarizing figure, he’d bring high-profile experience and a potentially transformative scheme if FSU chooses to go in this direction.

Joe Craddock, Tulane OC An Alabama native with experience as Chad Morris’s OC at Arkansas, Craddock’s offense has performed well at Tulane. His experience balancing the pressures of larger programs could add stability and fresh insights to FSU’s offense.

Kevin Johns, Oklahoma Interim Co-OC With a history of collaboration with Norvell at Memphis, Johns has earned praise for his development of Riley Leonard at Duke. If Norvell prefers to maintain his own scheme, Johns offers a familiar approach with a proven track record.

Read more here

And that’s a wrap!

As FSU pursues excellence across sports, every game, award, and change brings us closer to reclaiming our storied legacy.

With rivalry games, national titles, and new horizons just ahead, we can’t wait to see what’s next. Stay tuned, stay passionate, and as always, keep the Garnet and Gold spirit alive!

Go Noles! 🌟