Florida State was initially led by second-year head coach Willie Taggart. On November 3, 2019, Taggart was fired after losing to Miami (FL) and falling to 4–5 on the season and 9–12 overall.[1] Defensive line coach Odell Haggins was named interim head coach for the remainder of the season, for the second time during his tenure with the program. The Seminoles ultimately finished the season with a 6–7 record, completing consecutive losing seasons for the first time since the 1975 and 1976 seasons. This was the first season since 1976 that Florida State was not ranked in either of the major polls. Running back Cam Akers went on to be selected in the second round of the NFL Draft.[2]
Florida State finished the 2018 season 5–7, 3–5 in ACC play, to finish in fifth place in the Atlantic Division. The Seminoles had a losing record for the first time since 1976 and missed a bowl game for the first time since 1981.
Preseason[]
Coaching changes[]
In December 2018, the school hired Kendal Briles to be the new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, replacing Walt Bell, who left to take the head coaching job at UMass.[3] Briles spent the 2018 season as offensive coordinator at Houston. In January 2019, the school hired alum Ron Dugans to coach wide receivers.[4] In February 2019, the school fired offensive line coach Greg Frey and hired Randy Clements to the same position;[5] Briles and Clements previously worked together on the Houston staff.
Player news[]
Quarterback Deondre Francois was dismissed from the team in February 2019 after Francois' girlfriend posted a video to Instagram which alleged domestic abuse.[6] Francois had been the starting quarterback for the Seminoles during the 2016 and 2018 seasons (an injury sustained in the first game of 2017 sidelined him for most of that season), and was set to be the starter again as a senior.
In March 2019, former Wisconsin quarterback Alex Hornibrook announced that he was transferring to Florida State for his final season of eligibility as an NCAA graduate transfer.[7] In August 2019, Jordan Travis, a transfer quarterback from Louisville, was granted a waiver by the NCAA to be immediately eligible to play.[8]
Recruiting[]
Florida State's 2019 recruiting class consisted of 21 recruits. The class was ranked 21st in the nation and second in the ACC according to the 247Sports.com Composite.[9] This represented the lowest-ranked class for the school since 2007.[10]
Spring game[]
The 'Garnet and Gold Game' was held on April 6 with the Gold team, led by James Blackman, victorious over the Garnet team by a score of 27–21.[11]
Preseason media poll[]
In the preseason ACC media poll, Florida State was selected to finish third in the Atlantic Division.[12] Wide receiver Tamorrion Terry and defensive tackle Marvin Wilson were named to the preseason All-ACC team.[13]
^The game against Boise State was originally scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET at TIAA Bank Stadium in Jacksonville, but was moved over safety concerns related to Hurricane Dorian.[24]