ACC Media Days: FSU Head Coach Mike Norvell Building Seminoles To Bobby Bowden's Standard

"Because that is the standard at Florida State."

The Florida State Seminoles took to the stage on Wednesday afternoon for the annual ACC Media Days in Charlotte, North Carolina, ahead of the 2023 season. Each year representatives from each of the 15 schools in the conference talk about their upcoming season, matchups and expectations for the three-day event.

Representing the Seminoles were head coach Mike Norvell, quarterback Jordan Travis, defensive end Jared Verse and linebacker Kalen DeLoach. 

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Norvell took to the podium to address a variety of topics, including Travis, what it means to be a Florida State Seminole, the upcoming season, and the transfer portal, but one thing that stood out was his message of consistency and, not surprisingly, how consistent it has been.

"Because that is the standard at Florida State. We had the greatest example, I think, in collegiate football history of being able to sustain success."

Reflecting on the tradition of excellence at Florida State, Norvell paid tribute to the late legendary head coach Bobby Bowden, who not only laid the foundation for FSU's success but fielded multiple National Championship teams (1993, 1999) after taking the helm in 1976. Now with three National Championships under their belt, the Seminoles aim to add another to the trophy room in 2023. Yet, for Norvell, There is more to it than just winning.

"Coach Bowden and that staff, along with those great teams, achieved tremendous success on the field, but they also set high standards and expectations for the personal growth and development of the players off the field," Norvell remarked.

Feeling the weight of responsibility to uphold the legacy, Norvell recalled a touching moment with coach Bowden shortly after assuming his role as head coach.

"I've got a great responsibility leading this program. I was fortunate to be able to meet coach Bowden within those first couple of months of getting the job. I'll never forget sitting down with him at my desk in that office. I remember him telling me, 'Be true to who you are, and you continue to make an impact on those young men helping them to where they're going.'"

"That's a daily challenge, and I owe it to him. I owe it to his legacy to make sure we're doing this a certain way because I fully believe success is coming.

Pointing to positive strides made in 2022, including their 25th ten-win season, Norvell emphasized the significance of sustaining success. He attributed the Seminoles' potential to the players they coach and the values they represent as Seminoles.

"We took some positive steps last year. We had our 25th ten-win season. A lot of great things. When we achieve it, I want to be able to sustain it, and it's because of who we get to coach and what we represent being a Seminole," Norvell said. "Coach Bowden was a special man, a special leader, and he had some incredible teams that he got to be a part of impacting those players' lives, and that still carries on today with those individuals and obviously in his legacy."

Those steps and the commitment and buy-in have seemingly paid off as the 'Noles currently have a tremendous amount of hype surrounding them. 

"You know, for us, it comes down to our core values. It's service, sacrifice, and respect. I want to be around a team that serves each other, that's really willing to give of themselves," Norvell said. "You see that with our guys and the impact that they make within the community, the impact they make building the relationships because everybody comes from a different place."

The 2023 team's legacy remains to be seen, but striving to leave an impactful one is on everyone's agenda, especially those wearing garnet and gold.

"We all come together to play, to compete for championships, to push ourselves to be the best that we can, but also the willingness to be able to do it along with somebody and to serve others to make an impact, to leave your legacy on what that is."

As the Seminoles prepare for the 2023 season, they carry with them the torch of their esteemed history and one of high expectations.

Oct 29, 2022; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jordan Travis and head coach Mike Norvell during the second half against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Doak S. Campbell Stadium / © Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports

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