Florida State is bringing back a familiar face to its football front office, hiring Mitch Ciombor as the new Director of High School Scouting. It’s a move that not only strengthens the Seminoles’ recruiting infrastructure but also reunites Ciombor with General Manager John Garrett, under whom he worked at Duke over the past two seasons.
At Duke, Ciombor served as the Coordinator of High School Recruiting, helping to shape the Blue Devils’ talent pipeline during a time when the program was focused on building depth and developing long-term roster stability. His role was pivotal in identifying and evaluating prep talent across the country-a skillset that will now be central to Florida State’s high school scouting strategy.
What makes this move even more intriguing is Ciombor’s previous stint in Tallahassee. He began his career with the Seminoles, working in player personnel and recruiting from 2022 to 2024.
That early experience gave him a firsthand understanding of FSU’s culture, expectations, and recruiting footprint. Now, he returns with added experience and a broader perspective, ready to make an immediate impact.
Ciombor’s academic ties to Florida State run deep as well. According to his Duke bio, he earned both a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management (2022) and a master’s in athletic coaching (2024) from FSU. That connection to the university-both professionally and academically-adds another layer of continuity to this hire.
This addition is part of a broader reshaping of Florida State’s off-field infrastructure. In late December, the Seminoles brought in John Garrett as their new general manager, a move that signaled a shift toward a more NFL-style front office structure. Shortly after, Taylor Edwards joined the program as Director of Football and Player Acquisition, adding another seasoned evaluator to the mix.
With Ciombor now stepping into a key role, Florida State’s recruiting operation looks more aligned and strategically focused than it has in recent years. The Seminoles are clearly investing in the long game-building a front office that can identify talent early, recruit effectively, and manage the roster with precision.
Ciombor’s return isn’t just a homecoming-it’s a calculated move to bolster the Seminoles’ ability to compete in one of the most talent-rich regions in the country. And with a leadership team that includes Garrett and Edwards, Florida State is putting together a front office that knows how to find the right players-and build a roster that can win.