Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy humpday, Seminole! Almost entirely good news today and we are happy to give it to you:

🏀 Dominant on the Court:
Florida State men’s basketball outplayed Hofstra, securing a 79-61 victory with standout performances from Jamir Watkins and Malique Ewin.

🎾 Tennis Triumphs:
Corey Craig and Jamie Connel both advanced to the second round of the NCAA Singles Championship, showcasing grit and resilience.

🏈 Lou Groza Glory:
Ryan Fitzgerald’s perfect season earns him a spot as a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, with a chance to join FSU’s elite kicking legacy.

🎯 Recruiting Heats Up:
FSU flips elite kicker Brunno Reus from USF, but also feels the sting of losing OL commit Daniel Pierre Louis to Florida.

🏈 New Horizons:
FSU enters the mix for edge rusher Zahir Mathis after his decommitment from Ohio State, and Tuesday’s practice highlights energy and standout performances amid coaching changes.

🏈 Coaching Carousel Buzz:
The search for offensive and defensive coordinators intensifies, with Brennan Marion and Scott Symons emerging as potential frontrunners.

🏀 FSU Men's Basketball Stifles Hofstra in Dominant Win 🏀

Florida State (4-1) maintained control from the opening whistle, securing a 79-61 victory over previously undefeated Hofstra at the Donald L. Tucker Center. The Seminoles displayed their depth, strong defense, and precision shooting to hand Hofstra its first loss of the season.

Key Performances

• Jamir Watkins: Led the team with 17 points, six rebounds, and two steals, showcasing a versatile offensive and defensive game.

• Malique Ewin: Posted a career-high 13 points and three steals, solidifying his impact in the paint.

• Taylor Bol Bowen: Contributed 10 points, rounding out a balanced scoring attack.

Defensive Dominance

Florida State’s defense held Hofstra scoreless for the first four minutes, forced 20 turnovers, and converted them into 23 points. The Seminoles limited the Pride to just four second-chance points and outrebounded their opponent 31-27.

Team Highlights

• A season-high nine three-pointers demonstrated the Seminoles' perimeter strength.

• Contributions from 10 players showcased the depth and teamwork emphasized by head coach Leonard Hamilton.

Next Up

The Seminoles travel to the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-off. They’ll face Temple on Friday, November 22, at 5:00 p.m., followed by a matchup against UMass on Sunday, November 24, at 3:30 p.m.

Read more here.

🎾 FSU Men's Tennis Advances in NCAA Singles Championship 🎾

The Florida State men’s tennis team made an impressive start at the NCAA Men’s Tennis Singles Championship, with both Corey Craig and Jamie Connel advancing to the second round. This marks the second consecutive season that the Seminoles have had a player reach the singles second round.

Match Highlights

• Corey Craig: After dropping a first-set tiebreaker to Oklahoma’s Oscar Lacides, Craig staged a dramatic comeback, winning the second set and rallying from a 5-2 deficit in the final set to secure the win in a match tiebreaker.

• Jamie Connel: The All-ACC honoree cruised past Mississippi State’s Niccolo Baroni, dominating the first set 6-1 and closing out the second set 6-4 to clinch his victory.

Upcoming Matches

• Corey Craig: Faces UCLA’s Emon van Lobel Sans in the second round.

• Jamie Connel: Seeks his second victory this season over Georgia’s No. 14 Thomas Paulsell.

Doubles Draw

Top-50 pairing Youcef Rihane and Alex Bulte will begin their doubles campaign tomorrow against Indiana’s No. 52 Facundo Yunis and Jip van Assendelft at 4:30 p.m. ET.

🏈 Ryan Fitzgerald Named Lou Groza Award Semifinalist 🏈

For the second straight year, Florida State senior kicker Ryan Fitzgerald has been named one of 20 semifinalists for the prestigious Lou Groza Award, recognizing the nation’s top placekicker.

A Perfect Season

• Flawless Record: Fitzgerald is 11-for-11 on field goal attempts this season, joining only two other kickers nationwide with a perfect record.

• Long-Distance Excellence: Fitzgerald is tied for the most field goals of 50+ yards without a miss (5), matching the FSU single-season record.

Historic Kicks

• Program Milestones: His 59-yard field goal against Georgia Tech ranks as the second-longest in FSU history and the longest ever in an ACC conference game.

• Doak Campbell Legend: A 56-yarder against North Carolina ties the longest field goal ever made in the stadium’s 75-year history.

FSU’s Groza Legacy

Fitzgerald aims to join Florida State’s elite Groza Award winners, including Roberto Aguayo (2013), Graham Gano (2008), and two-time recipient Sebastian Janikowski (1998, 1999).

What’s Next

Three finalists will be announced on November 26, with the winner revealed at the Home Depot College Football Awards on December 12.

Stay tuned as Fitzgerald continues to represent the Seminoles in pursuit of FSU’s fifth Groza Award!

Read more here

🎯 Florida State Flips Top Kicker Brunno Reus from USF 🎯

Florida State made a splash in the recruiting scene by flipping three-star kicker and punter Brunno Reus from his commitment to USF. Reus, hailing from Venice High School in Florida, had been committed to the Bulls since June but was officially offered by the Seminoles on Sunday—and he didn’t hesitate.

💬 Why FSU?
“First school I ever visited, have been in love ever since,” Reus shared. “I also love the special teams staff.”

🔑 What Reus Brings to the Table

• Elite Rankings: Ranked No. 2 nationally as a punter and No. 3 as a kicker by Kohl's Kicking.

• Impressive Stats: This season, Reus went 4-for-8 on field goals (long of 53 yards), made 58 of 59 PATs, and had 68 touchbacks on 81 kickoffs. He also punted eight times, averaging 40.9 yards with a long of 57 yards.

• Dual Role: Reus will join the Seminoles as both a kicker and a punter on a full scholarship.

📍 A Familiar Face at FSU
Despite his prior USF commitment, Reus has been a regular presence at Florida State, attending multiple games this season.

🔜 Boost for the Class of 2025
Reus’s commitment moves Florida State’s recruiting class ranking to No. 35 nationally, bolstering a group of 13 verbal commitments.

Read more here

🏈 Florida Loses OL Commit Daniel Pierre Louis to the Gators 🏈

Florida State suffered a significant recruiting blow as three-star interior offensive lineman Daniel Pierre Louis flipped his commitment to Florida following an official visit to Gainesville. Pierre Louis, previously a key piece in FSU’s 2025 class, now joins the Gators as their first post-visit weekend addition.

🗣️ Why He Flipped
Pierre Louis cited his strong connection with Florida’s assistant offensive line coach, John Decoster, as a deciding factor. Decoster, who shares a Haitian heritage with Pierre Louis, provided consistent feedback and development insights that resonated with the young lineman.

💬 Pierre Louis on Decoster:
"Obviously, the connection is there. I believe he is a good coach and passionate about the offensive line. He gives good feedback on how to improve and get better, which I appreciate."

🔍 Recruitment Details

• Previous Visits: Pierre Louis previously visited FSU and NC State before initially committing to the Seminoles earlier this fall.

• Florida’s Persistence: Despite his FSU commitment, Pierre Louis maintained his plans to visit Florida, a decision that ultimately swayed him.

Read more here

🏈 FSU Enters the Mix for Top247 Edge Rusher Zahir Mathis 🏈

The recruitment of Philadelphia Imhotep’s Zahir Mathis has reignited after the Top247 edge rusher decommitted from Ohio State on Monday. Within minutes of his announcement, schools nationwide—including Florida State—reached out to express interest in the 6-foot-6, 225-pound standout.

📞 High-Profile Interest
Mathis’ decommitment sparked immediate outreach from programs such as Penn State, Miami, Michigan, USC, Oregon, Georgia, and Florida State. A source indicates Mathis may visit a campus as early as this weekend, with multiple schools—including FSU—hosting home games.

🔍 What’s Next for Mathis

• Decision Timeline: Mathis could opt to wait until the February signing period to finalize his commitment, as his high school does not permit early graduation.

• Key Visits: Mathis has already visited Penn State but could explore additional official visits, with FSU among the schools vying for his attention.

• Recruiting Profile: Ranked as the nation’s No. 16 edge rusher and Pennsylvania’s No. 4 overall prospect, Mathis remains one of the most coveted players in his class.

Read more here

🏈 FSU Kicks Off Charleston Southern Prep Amid Coaching Changes 🏈

Florida State hit the practice field Tuesday for its first open session since making major adjustments to its coaching staff. Here's what stood out:

Practice Energy and Execution

• The team brought solid energy and physicality to practice, with clear engagement throughout. However, execution remained inconsistent, a recurring theme this season.

Quarterbacks: Highs and Lows

• Brock Glenn: Mixed performance with moments of brilliance, including a perfect downfield pass to TE Amaree Williams and a dime to Darion Williamson. However, he also threw an interception.

• Luke Kromenhoek: Displayed flashes of accuracy, including a standout pass to Williamson over the middle, threading it through tight coverage.

Standout Plays

• RB Micahi Danzy: Delivered the catch of the day with an acrobatic grab over a defender in 1-on-1 drills.

• CB Cai Bates: Hustled to break up a deep pass to Lawayne McCoy, earning praise from Azareye’h Thomas.

• TE Amaree Williams: Was highly active, catching a long touchdown and multiple passes during team drills.

• RB Caziah Holmes: Showed vision and power, breaking into the second level with hard-nosed runs.

• DEs DD Holmes and Sione Lolohea: Holmes excelled in 1-on-1 drills, while Lolohea recorded a sack in team drills.

Coaching Adjustments

• Randy Shannon: Adopted a calm, hands-on approach as co-DC, providing direct coaching from a different vantage point than Adam Fuller.

• Offensive Line: Led by Gabe Fertitta, with assistance from GA Ben Miles and D’Mtiri Emmanuel.

• WRs: Norvell himself took an active role in coaching receivers.

Special Guest

• Chip Long, former OC at Southern Miss and a longtime colleague of Norvell, was spotted observing drills. His potential role with the program remains unclear.

Read more here

🏈 Coaching Carousel Buzz: FSU’s Search for Coordinators 🏈

Florida State’s coaching staff overhaul continues to dominate headlines as speculation swirls about potential hires for offensive and defensive coordinator roles. Here’s a roundup of the latest:

Offensive Coordinator: Two Key Names Emerge

• Joe Craddock (Tulane OC): Known for leading one of the country’s most efficient offenses, Craddock has ties to Mike Norvell’s coaching tree. While Oklahoma appears to be the frontrunner, rumors suggest FSU remains in the mix. However, some believe this could be a leverage play for Craddock’s camp.

• Brennan Marion (UNLV OC): The most buzzed-about name, Marion is a former player and GA under Norvell. His innovative offensive strategies and direct connection to Norvell make him a strong candidate. Several sources indicate he’s the favorite, though the timeline for final decisions could still evolve.

Defensive Coordinator: Scott Symons Leads Early Speculation

• Scott Symons (SMU DC): A familiar name in Norvell’s network, Symons has built a Top 20 defense this season. His success at SMU and prior experience at Memphis make him a natural fit for FSU.

Staff Dynamics and Openings

• Norvell may need to adjust staff roles based on coordinator hires. For example, a new OC with QB expertise could shift Tony Tokarz to tight ends, while Chris Thomsen might take over the offensive line.

• FSU must also fill vacancies at offensive line and receivers coach, adding complexity to the puzzle.

Front Office Shakeups

• Director of Recruiting Adam Van Clay was let go, and further adjustments could follow. General Manager Darrick Yray is expected to stay, maintaining stability in FSU’s evaluation and recruiting efforts.

Retention Efforts: Key Players in Focus

• FSU is reportedly working to retain DTs Joshua Farmer, Darrell Jackson, and CB Azareye’h Thomas for 2025. While interest is mutual, early indications suggest these efforts face significant challenges.

Read more here

And that’s a wrap!
From the hardwood to the gridiron, and everything in between, FSU’s athletes and staff are proving that persistence pays off. As the season winds down, every game, every play, and every move counts—on the field, in recruiting, and in building the next chapter of Seminole excellence.

We’ll be back tomorrow with more updates and insights. Until then, keep the spirit high, and as always:

🎯 Go Noles! 🎯