Rick Stockstill didn’t waste time trying to sell hope with empty words Monday. The Florida State interim head coach leaned straight into the moment, thanked the people who put him in the chair, and made clear that his first message to the Seminoles is about loyalty, effort and getting back to work.
Stockstill met with reporters for the first time since taking over after Mike Norvell’s firing, and he opened by crediting the former coach for the work he put in.
Stockstill said Norvell “poured his heart and soul into this program” and that the proper way to honor that effort is “how we play, how we compete, how hard we do things.”
He also thanked FSU president Richard McCullough, Board of Trustees chair Peter Collins and interim athletic director Bruce Warwick for the chance to lead the program. For Stockstill, a former Seminole quarterback, the assignment still feels a little unreal.
He called it surreal to be in “sitting in Coach (Bobby) Bowden’s chair.”
That sense of history ran through the entire session. Stockstill said the program’s legacy is tied to the people who built it and the players who wore the uniform before this group.
“There’s a part of our heart, a part of our soul on that field out there,” Stockstill said.
The challenge in front of him is obvious. Florida State is 3-5, and the Seminoles have gone 10-22 since 2024. Stockstill didn’t dress that up.
“It’s not broke, we got some dents in it we gotta get fixed.
“Florida State is close. We’re close and we just, we’re gonna get there but it’s gonna take everybody pulling the rope in the same direction.”
His first days on the job have been about organization as much as motivation. Monday was a players’ off day, so Stockstill had not yet spoken to the full team together.
That meeting is set for Tuesday morning at practice. In the meantime, he’s already spent time with coaches and support staff to sort through schedules and structure, and he said “there’s gonna be some changes.”
On the staff side, Stockstill had praise ready for interim defensive coordinator Ernie Sims, calling him “a passionate, energetic, enthusiastic coach” who loves Florida State and will bring “great energy, great passion” every day.
On offense, co-coordinator Tim Harris will handle play-calling duties. Stockstill said he is “not a micromanager” and has “a lot of faith and trust in Tim,” though he plans to stay involved in the biggest decisions.
He also made his priorities plain when it comes to the lineup. The focus, he said, is on winning right now with whoever gives Florida State the best chance to do it.
“I want to win and I’m not interested in ‘let’s see what he can do for next year,’ unless he’s a better player,” Stockstill said. “Put the best player out there that gives us the best opportunity to win the game.”
Stockstill returned to Florida State in 2024 as director of offensive scouting after 18 seasons as Middle Tennessee’s head coach, and he said getting back into the daily rhythm of coaching has him energized.
He said he is “jacked” and “fired up” to coach again, especially after missing the day-to-day interaction with players.
“I’m going to bust my tail to give this program everything I have.”
And to the fan base, Stockstill kept the message simple and direct.
“Don’t let a bad game or a bad year or two bad years, don’t let that steal your love and joy and passion for Florida State.
“Don’t give up, stay loyal to Florida State. … Florida State’s gonna be back.”
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