Florida State is expected to hire John Garrett as the football program’s general manager, a return to Tallahassee for the veteran college coach — who has experience in the NFL, too. The hire was first reported by Warchant.
Garrett has been Duke’s general manager of player personnel since January 2024. Duke was the unexpected ACC champion in 2025, upsetting Virginia in the title game and going 8-5. Duke is set to play Arizona State in the Sun Bowl on Dec. 31.
Much of the conversation regarding FSU’s GM hire revolved around not just fit or money but the organizational structure and relationship with coach Mike Norvell. The fit shouldn’t be much of an issue, as is the relationship with Norvell, as Garrett was previously FSU’s director of scouting for offense in 2022-23.
Garrett checks a number of boxes for FSU football, bringing extensive college coaching experience as well as an NFL background.
He arrived at FSU after spending 2017-21 as the head coach and offensive coordinator at Lafayette College. Garrett has also worked at Oregon State, Virginia and Florida in various coaching roles, while spending 19 years in the NFL with Tampa Bay, Dallas, Cincinnati and Arizona.
Garrett’s brother, Jason, coached the Dallas Cowboys and is now an analyst for NBC Sports.
The Osceola previously reported on FSU’s hunt for a general manager.
In an August 2025 interview with the Duke Chronicle, Garrett shared some insight into his role with the Blue Devils.
“What you find out, even as a coach, is that the most important thing in any organization, or any business outside of football, is talent acquisition,” Garrett said. “I've always seen and been able to feel the importance of putting the team together and adding players to the team, whether it was the draft in pro football or college recruiting.”
Garrett will have that opportunity to help Norvell and FSU’s staff in the week leading up to the transfer portal’s open on Friday (Jan. 2).
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