Key keywords: FSU Football, Tom Herman, Florida State Seminoles, college football support staff hire, 2024 college football season, offensive strategy, quarterback development, CFP playoff push Florida State University’s football program announced a high-profile addition to its off-field staff earlier this week, confirming that former University of Texas and University of Houston head coach Tom Herman has joined the program as a senior offensive analyst and special advisor to head coach Mike Norvell. The hire comes during a critical 2024 off-season for the Seminoles, who are still looking to rebound from the disappointment of being left out of the 2023 College Football Playoff despite an undefeated regular season, followed by a lopsided Orange Bowl loss to the Georgia Bulldogs that exposed notable gaps in the team’s offensive game plan and play calling structure. Herman brings nearly 30 years of coaching experience to the FSU support staff, including a standout tenure as offensive coordinator at Ohio State University, where he helped lead the Buckeyes to a 2014 national championship behind a dynamic dual-quarterback system that outmatched every defensive opponent they faced that year. He went on to post a 22-4 record across two seasons as head coach at Houston, leading the Cougars to a top-10 final ranking and a Peach Bowl win over Florida State in 2015, before taking the head coaching job at Texas, where he compiled a 32-18 record across four seasons and led the Longhorns to four straight bowl wins and multiple top-25 final rankings. In his new support staff role, Herman will not hold on-field coaching responsibilities, but will work closely with offensive coordinator Alex Atkins to develop weekly game plans, analyze opposing defensive schemes, identify adjustments for in-game use, and support the development of FSU’s new starting quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, the former Clemson and Oregon State signal caller who transferred to Tallahassee earlier this off-season. Program insiders note that Herman’s expertise in running high-tempo spread offenses and developing NFL-caliber quarterbacks fills a key gap for the Seminoles, who are widely projected as pre-season top-5 teams for the 2024 season and top contenders to secure a spot in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. The hire has drawn widespread attention across college football circles, as it marks the first time a coach with recent Power 5 head coaching experience has taken an off-field support role at an ACC program. Herman noted in a public statement that he was drawn to FSU’s championship-caliber roster and the clear long-term vision of Mike Norvell’s program, and sees the role as an opportunity to contribute to a national title run while exploring new strategic approaches he can bring to any future head coaching opportunities down the line.