Florida State Assistant Coaches Under Review: Evaluating Performance and Contract Decisions
Florida State head coach Mike Norvell has made his first coaching change of the offseason by parting ways with defensive backs coach Patrick Surtain Sr. This move signals the beginning of several upcoming decisions that Norvell will need to make regarding the contracts of at least four assistant coaches, all set to expire on February 28, 2026. Among these coaches is defensive ends coach John Papuchis, who has been with Norvell since 2020 and was recently shifted to linebackers coach. The linebackers' performance in the 2025 season was underwhelming, with players like Elijah Herring, Justin Cryer, and Blake Nichelson failing to meet expectations.
Papuchis, who previously had success with the defensive ends, faced challenges with the linebackers' development. Additionally, the special teams unit struggled significantly, with issues in kicking and punt fielding leading to critical mistakes in games. The team's special teams rating ranked poorly in the FBS, highlighting the need for improvement in this area. Papuchis earned $800,000 this season for his coaching role.
Another assistant coach under scrutiny is quarterbacks coach Alex Tokarz, who joined Norvell from Memphis and has faced challenges in maintaining consistency in the quarterback room. Despite guiding former star Jordan Travis to successful seasons, Tokarz has encountered difficulties in high school recruiting and player development. The performance of quarterbacks like Kevin Sperry and Jaden O'Neal remains uncertain, raising questions about the effectiveness of Tokarz's coaching strategies. Tokarz's salary for the season was $500,000.
Running backs coach and recruiting coordinator David Johnson, who previously worked with Norvell at Tennessee, has been instrumental in developing productive running backs for Florida State. However, the team's running back rotation in 2025 was inconsistent, partly due to decisions made by offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn. While Johnson has had success in recruiting talented players, the overall recruiting performance of the team has not met expectations. Reports suggest that Arkansas is interested in adding Johnson to its coaching staff. Johnson earned $600,000 this season.
Tight ends coach T.J. Thomsen, who reunited with Norvell in 2020, has been working to improve the performance of the tight end room at Florida State. Despite some challenges, including injuries to key players, Thomsen has shown progress in recruiting top talent for the team. His efforts have resulted in the commitment of promising tight ends for future seasons. Thomsen's recruiting has improved over time, with recent success in signing blue-chip tight ends for the program. Thomsen's salary for the season was not disclosed.
In conclusion, as Florida State evaluates the performance of its assistant coaches, decisions regarding their contracts and roles will be crucial for the team's success in the upcoming seasons. Addressing areas of improvement in player development, recruiting, and on-field performance will be essential for the Seminoles to achieve their goals under Coach Norvell's leadership.