Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy Tuesday, Seminole!

Here’s what we’ve got in today’s edition:

🏐 Khori Louis Honored – After a stellar week, Khori Louis earns her first ACC Co-Offensive Player of the Week award and shines in the Pro Volleyball Federation Draft.

🏈 FSU’s Final Depth Chart – The Seminoles release their lineup for Saturday’s showdown against Florida, featuring notable changes at quarterback, running back, and safety.

🕰️ Norvell’s Coordinator Search – Head coach Mike Norvell outlines his timeline for hiring new offensive and defensive coordinators while teasing playoff-bound candidates in the mix.

🔄 Coaching Carousel Insights – As the regular season wraps up, we break down the key coordinator moves shaping the college football landscape.

🌟 Recruiting Update: Teriq Mallory Visit – FSU targets West Virginia commit Teriq Mallory to bolster its receiver corps.

🏆 Keeping Solomon Thomas Committed – With the Early Signing Period looming, FSU fights to secure its five-star offensive lineman amidst interest from Florida and LSU.

🏐 Khori Louis Earns ACC Co-Offensive Player of the Week Honors 🏐

Khori Louis capped off a stellar week with her first-ever ACC Co-Offensive Player of the Week recognition, following dominant performances in wins against No. 15 Georgia Tech and Clemson.

🔥 Career-Defining Performances:

• 35 Kills: Louis led the team across the two matches, averaging an incredible .604 hitting percentage—the best in the nation among players with 50+ attempts.

• Friday Upset: Tallied 15 kills on 26 attempts in FSU’s dramatic upset over Georgia Tech.

• Sunday Career Day: Tied her career-high with 20 kills on just 27 attempts in a Senior Day victory over Clemson.

📊 National and ACC Rankings:

• Raised her season hitting percentage to .417, ranking 2nd in the ACC and 13th nationally.

🎉 Pro Volleyball Federation Draft:
Earlier today, Louis was drafted sixth overall by the Atlanta Vibe in the Pro Volleyball Federation Draft, marking another milestone in her extraordinary season.

🚨 Next Up:
Louis and the Seminoles face No. 10 SMU at Tully Gym on Wednesday at noon.

Read more here

🏈 FSU Releases Final Depth Chart Ahead of Rivalry Showdown 🏈

Florida State football has unveiled its official depth chart for Saturday’s regular-season finale against in-state rival Florida. Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM ET on ESPN2, and several key adjustments have been made to the lineup.

🔑 Notable Changes:

• Quarterback: Freshman Luke Kromenhoek is now listed as the sole starter, solidifying his role after an impressive debut.

• Running Back: Roydell Williams reappears as a co-starter behind Kam Davis.

• Wide Receiver: Freshman BJ Gibson replaces Elijah Moore, who will redshirt.

• Offensive Line: Reflects last week’s starting lineup, with Jaylen Early absent after missing the CSU game.

• Defense: Safety Conrad Hussey is no longer listed, signaling he won’t be available.

🚨 What’s Next:
The Seminoles aim to close out their season with a victory over the Gators, who come in riding a two-game win streak. Keep an eye on how these lineup changes impact the game’s outcome.

Read the full depth chart here.

🕰️ Norvell Provides Timeline for Coordinator Announcements 🕰️

Florida State head coach Mike Norvell addressed the ongoing search for offensive and defensive coordinators during his Monday press conference, offering a clearer picture of the timeline and candidate considerations.

🔑 Key Updates:

• Announcement Timing:
  Norvell indicated that FSU’s goal is to announce the hires shortly after conference championship games conclude next weekend. However, some candidates’ participation in playoff-bound teams may impact the exact timing.

• Evaluation in Progress:
  Norvell emphasized the importance of finding the right fit for the program, noting that he’s “evaluating all situations” regarding candidates coaching in postseason games.

• Staff Collaboration:
  Norvell plans to involve the new coordinators in shaping the final coaching staff. This approach ensures alignment with the incoming hires' philosophies and familiarity with terminology.

📊 Potential Candidates:

• Offensive Coordinator:
  Programs like UNLV and Tulane have candidates generating buzz, particularly given their success and playoff aspirations.

• Defensive Coordinator:
  Oregon and SMU both boast qualified candidates and will feature in their conference championship games.

Read more here.

🔄 Coaching Carousel Watch: Key Coordinator Openings to Monitor 🔄

As the regular season wraps up, this year’s coaching carousel is notably quieter at the head coaching level, with power programs like Florida and Baylor opting for stability amidst a chaotic December calendar. However, the churn at the coordinator level is expected to define this offseason and shape the college football landscape in 2025.

💼 Programs with Coordinator Changes Already Underway

• Florida State:
  We know the deal. Mike Norvell has fired both coordinators after a challenging season. The spotlight now turns to whether Norvell will relinquish play-calling duties on offense, signaling a potential shift in his approach.

• Oklahoma:
  The Sooners are on the hunt for an offensive coordinator after injuries and inconsistency plagued their season. Brent Venables’ decision here could be the most pivotal hire of the offseason.

• Wisconsin:
  Following Phil Longo’s dismissal, Luke Fickell faces a critical choice: return to a traditional smashmouth approach or continue experimenting with a spread offense.

• Arizona:
  After stripping Dino Babers of play-calling duties midseason, the Wildcats are searching for a fresh offensive direction for 2025.

• Utah:
  The Utes' offensive woes, compounded by Cam Rising’s injuries, have left them in need of a reset. A new coordinator may have to rebuild without Rising or key offensive weapons.

⚠️ Programs on the Verge of Changes

• LSU:
  Offensive coordinator Joe Sloan’s future is under scrutiny following the loss of five-star QB Bryce Underwood to Michigan. Can LSU retool its offense to maximize Garrett Nussmeier’s potential?

• Georgia:
  Despite success, Mike Bobo’s offense faces criticism from fans. If Kirby Smart opts for a modern offensive approach, it could reshape the Bulldogs' trajectory.

• Florida:
  AD Scott Stricklin hinted at possible staff changes to “elevate Gator football.” Offensive and defensive play-calling roles could be in question under Billy Napier.

• Auburn:
  With defensive coordinator Derrick Nix linked to the Southern Miss head coaching job, the Tigers may need to address both sides of the ball heading into a critical 2025 season.

• Oklahoma State:
  After a season of defensive struggles and offensive inefficiency, Mike Gundy may need to overhaul his staff on both sides of the ball.

🔍 Bonus Watch: Michigan
While Michigan rides a wave of recruiting success after flipping Bryce Underwood, whispers persist about potential changes to its offensive coordinator role. Kirk Campbell’s future will be pivotal as the Wolverines aim to maintain their dominance.

Read more here.

🌟 FSU Lining Up Big 12 Commit for Official Visit 🌟

As National Signing Day draws near, Florida State is making a strong final push on the recruiting trail. The Seminoles are set to host 6-foot-5, 190-pound wide receiver and West Virginia commit Teriq Mallory for an official visit during their season finale against Florida on Saturday.

🔑 The Recruitment So Far:

• Mallory, a standout at Cheshire (Conn.) Academy, flipped his commitment from Wake Forest to West Virginia in June but has been on FSU’s radar since receiving an offer on Nov. 20.

• The coaching staff views Mallory as a plug-and-play option, filling a need for a versatile, big-bodied receiver who can make an immediate impact.

📊 Senior Season Stats:

• Receiving: 49 catches, 691 yards, 8 touchdowns.

• Defense: 20 tackles, 1 interception.

💬 Mallory’s Take:
After receiving the offer, Mallory expressed excitement about the opportunity to join FSU, stating:
"They believe I can fit in and play right away because they need a big receiver that can do it all, and I am exactly that."

Read more here

🏈 FSU Fighting to Keep Five-Star OL Solomon Thomas Committed 🏈

With the Early Signing Period (Dec. 4-6) fast approaching, Florida State faces a critical juncture in securing five-star offensive lineman Solomon Thomas. While Thomas remains committed to FSU, the departure of offensive line coach Alex Atkins has introduced uncertainty into his decision.

🔑 Key Factors:

• The Coaching Hire:
  Thomas has emphasized that his commitment hinges on Mike Norvell’s choice for a new offensive line coach.
  "That hiring is the deciding factor for me," Thomas stated. "I want to see if I fit him and he fits me."

• Transparency from Norvell:
  The head coach has kept Thomas in the loop about the hiring process, assuring him he will be informed as soon as a decision is made.

• Timeline:
  Thomas is weighing offers from Florida and LSU, with a final decision expected by Dec. 5, contingent on FSU’s coaching hire.

🌟 The Competition:

• LSU:
  Thomas recently visited LSU for the Vanderbilt game and was impressed by the school’s culture and ambitions.
  "They showed me a lot of love… LSU is pushing for a national championship," he said.

• Florida:
  The Gators’ proximity to Thomas’ hometown of Jacksonville and their strong ties to his family make them a compelling option.
  "Florida feels like home," Thomas shared, highlighting the support the program has provided his family during difficult times.

Read more here

And that’s a wrap!

As the clock ticks down to the Early Signing Period and FSU gears up for its rivalry finale, every move matters on and off the field.

From Khori Louis dominating the volleyball court to key coaching and recruiting decisions shaping the program’s future, the Seminoles are making their mark.

Stay tuned for more updates as we dive into the final stretch of the season.

As always, thanks for being part of The Chief Brief! See you tomorrow for the latest scoop.

— The Chief Brief Team