Florida State coach Mike Norvell joined EJ Manuel and Roddy Jones for a discussion on the ACC Network on Monday. The conversation was more about coaching philosophy and often turned to Jordan Travis’ influence on the team than on the 2026 season.
Below are some highlights of what Norvell said, beginning with questions from Manuel and Jones about his football roots.
“I’ve been incredibly blessed throughout my life. I’ve actually played or coached the game of football since I was 5. This has been my life,” Norvell said. “This game has provided so much for me. I’ve been really fortunate to be around great coaches, coaches that were willing to pour in, that were willing to bring me in and really treat me more than a jersey number.”
Norvell said he played defensive line, tight end and running back as he grew up before then being a quarterback in high school. But at 160 pounds, Norvell knew quarterbacks were far bigger and he focused on wide receiver and defensive back.
The analysts asked him if Norvell felt that coaching is teaching. “You get to meet young men where they are,” Norvell said. That could be as a freshman or a senior as a transfer. It’s about building positive habits for their growth, Norvell said.
In Norvell’s life, David Reese was his coach but also a father figure. “He was everything for me growing up … I’d stay at his house a couple nights a week.” Norvell said Reese built confidence in him despite his smaller frame growing up, focusing on technique and fundamentals but also instilling the importance of academics.
Norvell says he’s often asked about his coaching philosophy. “I’m a ‘you-can coach.’ I try to surround myself with players, with coaches, with staff that I believe in what they can do,” Norvell said.
He also discusses one of his favorite coaching experiences. “I don’t know if anything will beat this,” Norvell said. “In 2023 we won the conference championship. Handing Jordan Travis that (ACC championship) trophy. That will go down as one of the greatest moments I’ve ever had and it was in one of the most heart-breaking situations I’ve ever been a part of.”
Norvell said Travis insisted on being in Gainesville for the 2023 finale, putting off surgery, and then again making the trip to the ACC title game (the coach noted Travis had surgery in Charlotte, N.C.). “He helped us win that game,” Norvell said. “… He poured into that team.”
Manuel and Jones didn’t ask about specific players or the 2026 outlook, But unprompted, Norvell mentioned a pair of Seminoles who have been with the program throughout their career in defensive tackle Daniel Lyons (class of 2022) and cornerback Ja’Bril Rawls (class of 2023). Norvell said he is “excited to see the progress and growth” from Lyons and thinks Rawls “will be one of the best corners in the nation.”
The Osceola has taken a look at each position group in our state of the program series. Read them all in the Osceola’s football section.
