An offseason of uncertainty for Gus Malzahn — would he coach in 2026 or not — has reached a conclusion with the offensive coordinator’s announcement that he would retire.
The school has announced that Tim Harris Jr. will be elevated to offensive coordinator. Harris Jr. had been FSU’s wide receivers coach in 2025 and in the offseason was elevated to co-offensive coordinator.
“After 35 years, it’s time for me to step away from coaching,” Malzahn said in a statement released by FSU. “I am excited to spend more time with my family and focus on the next chapter of my life. I want to thank Coach Norvell for giving me the opportunity to coach at such a prestigious program.
‘I will continue to follow Florida State, and I believe great things are ahead for the program under Coach Norvell’s leadership and for the offense under Tim Harris.”
FSU opened the 2025 season with an upset of Alabama and went on a 3-0 start before tailing off to finish 5-7. The Seminoles couldn’t win on the road and an offense built around the run game struggled away from Tallahassee.
FSU finished 11th in rushing offense, averaging 218.67 yards per game. That was up dramatically from the Seminoles' 89.9-yard average in 2024.
But the Seminoles struggled to score points on the road and managed just 13 points at Stanford, 10 points at Clemson, 11 points at NC State and 21 at Florida — all losses.
“I want to thank Coach Malzahn for his effort and dedication to our program over the last 14 months,” Norvell said. “He did a wonderful job coordinating our offense and calling plays in 2025, and he has set a strong foundation for us to continue building on in 2026 behind the coordination of Tim Harris and the multiple other assistant coaches who are returning. Coach Harris has a complete understanding of the offensive scheme, and his ability to effectively share that knowledge with his players will continue to be a benefit for our offense.”
Malzahn joined FSU in December 2024 after a four-year run at UCF and was previously the head coach at Auburn and Arkansas State (compiling a 105-62 record).
Harris, who also has collegiate offensive coordinator experience at UCF and FIU, is in his second year on staff after joining as FSU’s pass game coordinator and wide receivers coach in 2025.
FSU’s improvement on offense was often reflected in the run game improvements but the wide receiver room was the most consistent on the team. Harris’ group, led by first-team All-ACC selection and Biletnikoff Award semifinalist Duce Robinson, showcased remarkable playmaking ability in 2025. Robinson caught 56 passes for 1,081 yards and six touchdowns, posting the ninth-highest single-season receiving yards total in program history.
Micahi Danzy made 27 receptions for 571 yards and three touchdowns through the air and added 227 yards and three touchdowns on 12 rushing attempts. Danzy led the ACC and ranked fourth nationally with an average of 21.2 yards per reception, and he joined Peter Warrick as the only FSU wide receivers with three rushing touchdowns and three receiving touchdowns in the same season. Robinson and Danzy were responsible for eight individual 100-yard receiving games in 2025.
