I want to thank Coach (Mike) Norvell for giving me the opportunity to come here a few years ago. You know, he put his heart and soul into this program. I have a lot of respect for him, for what he sacrificed and what he gave to this program. I just want to recognize him and thank him.
I told our team yesterday that the best way to show our respect is how we play, how we compete, how hard we do things. I just want him to know or you to know how much I appreciate the coach and what he’s done.
And I’d like to thank President (Richard) McCullough, President Peter Collins and (interim athletic director) Bruce Warwick for giving me this opportunity to lead this program over the next few months here. I love Florida State. I love Florida State football.
I’ve said it many times, the two most influential men in my life have been my dad and my coach (Bobby) Bowden, and it’s a little surreal. You wake up today and, not that I’m sitting in the coach’s chair, but sitting in Coach Bowden’s chair and just the responsibility.
I told our staff this morning the responsibility we have as coaches, as leaders, not only to our team, our current players, but this program, all the former players that played for Coach Bowden, my teammates, other guys that played for Coach, and even the guys before Coach Bowden came in, there’s a part of our heart, a part of our soul on that field.
I want our team, our players, to go out there and understand the responsibility that they have, what they represent and coach Bowden, all the former players that played here because a lot of people sacrificed a lot to make this program what it is.
I haven’t had a chance to talk to the team yet, but that’s what I told our staff this morning: We need to be great leaders and impact these guys as much as possible over the last few months.
I’m honored, I’m honored to be here and I’m going to bust my tail. I’m going to bust my tail to give this program everything I have and everything we have. To make Coach Bowden and make all the former players, the administration, our leadership, proud of Florida State football.
I’ll open it up for your questions.
Gn sports
