The news of Gus Malzahn stepping away from his role as Florida State’s offensive coordinator may have caught fans off guard, but it’s clear Mike Norvell had a contingency plan in place. With Malzahn retiring, Norvell is set to reclaim play-calling duties in 2026 - a move that’s sparked plenty of conversation in Tallahassee and beyond.
Norvell’s offensive acumen has never really been in question. When he arrived at FSU, he brought with him a reputation as one of the more innovative minds in college football.
But the results on the field? They’ve been a mixed bag.
From frustratingly inconsistent to flashes of brilliance, the Seminoles’ offense has seen just about every shade of performance during his tenure.
The best versions of Norvell’s offense, though, had one thing in common: Jordan Travis under center. Travis was the engine that made everything go - a dynamic dual-threat quarterback who masked a lot of the team’s shortcomings, especially along the offensive line.
And that’s the other piece of the puzzle. Even when the offense clicked, the line play under former OL coach Alex Atkins ranged from underwhelming to barely passable.
Fast forward to the post-Travis era, and the offensive identity took a hit. But FSU made a crucial move late in the 2024 season, parting ways with Atkins and bringing in veteran offensive line coach Herb Hand. That hire may prove to be one of the most important of Norvell’s tenure.
Hand wasted no time reshaping the unit. He hit the transfer portal hard and came away with four new starters for 2025 - a bold strategy that paid off in a big way.
The transformation was night and day. Under Hand’s guidance, FSU’s offensive line went from a liability to a legitimate strength.
Just how good were they? According to @PFSNcollege’s grading, FSU’s offensive line finished with an 85.5 grade - putting them among the top units in the country and ahead of several big-name programs.
More importantly, the raw numbers back it up. In 2025, the Seminoles allowed just 23 sacks and 59 tackles for loss.
Compare that to 2024, when they gave up 49 sacks and 95 TFLs, and it’s clear just how dramatic the turnaround was.
That kind of protection up front changes everything. Whether it’s a veteran quarterback or a new face taking the reins in 2026, the offense can’t function unless the line holds up. And now, for the first time in Norvell’s tenure, he may finally have a front five capable of consistently setting the tone.
Herb Hand might not be the flashiest name on the staff, but his impact has been massive. If the line continues to perform at the level we saw in 2025, Norvell will be working with the best offensive line he’s had since arriving at FSU - and that could be the key to unlocking the full potential of this offense.
So yes, Norvell calling plays again is a headline. But the real story might be the foundation being laid in the trenches. Because if this offensive line holds steady, Florida State’s offense could be in for a serious revival in 2026.