Florida State’s expected changes to the front office are beginning to take shape.
General manager Darrick Yray has taken a new job in a similar role at UCLA. Yray had been guiding FSU’s front office since arriving in February 2022 from Oregon State.
Yray has deep ties to the West Coast. A Fresno State graduate, Yray previously worked at Oregon State.
Along with coach Mike Norvell, Yray helped manage the roster. They were ahead of the curve on the transfer portal, helping build a team that went 13-1 in 2023, but the cost to acquire talent via NIL kept rising and rising.
As the Osceola’s Jerry Kutz has reported, FSU had a smaller budget in 2024 to acquire talent compared to 2023. The budget to acquire talent rose again in 2025 with a $20.5 million revenue share budget, a result of the landmark House vs. NCAA settlement, with the majority allocated toward football. A number of FSU athletes were able to land NIL deals.
But with FSU struggling and just 5-6 following a loss to NC State, a joint statement on Nov. 23 announced administrators would retain coach Mike Norvell but also said “fundamental changes” would be to come for the program. One of the most telling comments at that time came from FSU Board of Trustees chairman Peter Collins, who said administrators and FSU athletics “realize our responsibilities as stewards of program revenues and how to best allocate those dollars to compete at an elite level – something we will not compromise,” said Collins.
He later said “deficiencies” that would be addressed “may include structural changes to the very large and complex program FSU football has become, and these areas are where we will focus and invest.”
There’s no timeline for FSU to hire a general manager, but the transfer portal opens on Jan. 2 for 15 days. There will not be a spring window, so it’s an important two weeks for Norvell, assistant coaches and front office staff to build the roster by acquiring transfers with experience and leadership.
Coming off a 7-17 mark in the last two seasons, Norvell and FSU administrators have a chance to make an important hire to help shape the roster for 2026 and beyond.
Among the potential candidates with FSU ties include Martin Mayhew, who has worked in the front office of the Detroit Lions, 49ers and Commanders but retired earlier in 2025. Mayhew also played for the Washington Redskins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Another candidate is Brian Xanders, who has worked for the Denver Broncos and other teams. The FSU graduate is a senior advisor to the general manager of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
