Florida State head coach Mike Norvell provided an update on the suspension of offensive coordinator Alex Atkins. The Seminoles are set to face the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in their season opener in Dublin, Ireland, on Saturday, August 24th, at noon EST. Unfortunately, Atkins, who also serves as the offensive line coach, will be absent from the game due to a suspension imposed by the NCAA for recruiting violations. The suspension will keep him from coaching during the first three games of the 2024 season, although he will still be involved in practices.
Norvell addressed the situation during a recent media session, stating that a plan is in place for gameday operations without Atkins. Offensive senior analyst Gabe Fertitta will step in to handle those responsibilities. Atkins has expressed strong confidence in Fertitta’s capabilities, a sentiment echoed by Norvell.
Fertitta, according to his biography on Seminoles.com, joined Florida State after serving as a quality control assistant at Louisville in 2021, following a successful tenure as head coach at Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Seminoles’ offensive line, which includes seasoned players like Darius Washington, Maurice Smith, Jeremiah Byers, Robert Scott Jr., and others, is expected to perform well against Georgia Tech.
Given Georgia Tech’s struggles in defending the run, allowing 221.3 rushing yards per game last season (128th in the FBS), the Seminoles are likely to focus on an effective ground game. The offensive line should be able to manage straightforward blocking schemes during the upcoming games against Georgia Tech, Boston College, and Memphis. As for offensive play-calling, Norvell is likely to take charge, given that the offense is based on his system.
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