TALLAHASSEE — Florida State is expected to add veteran coach Tom Herman to its football staff as the Seminoles work to rebuild an offense that has struggled the last two seasons, a person with knowledge of the move told The Athletic.
The 51-year-old Herman most recently led Florida Atlantic, where he went 6-16 across parts of two seasons. His hiring has not been announced officially, according to the report, but if completed he will join head coach Mike Norvell as FSU prepares for the 2026 season.
What this changes for FSU and local fans
For Tallahassee and Seminoles supporters, the addition would mean a high-profile, experienced voice on the offensive staff. Herman brings a mix of head-coaching experience at the college level and prior coordinator and analyst roles in big programs and the NFL.
- Herman won the Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant in 2014 while at Ohio State.
- He served most recently as FAU’s head coach, and previously was a college head coach at Houston and Texas.
- His most recent NFL role was as an offensive analyst with the Chicago Bears in 2021.
Norvell’s program has fallen from a 13-1 season in 2023 to back-to-back losing campaigns, going 7-17 over the last two years. The Seminoles also endured a staff turnover when former offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn retired in February; Tim Harris has since been elevated to offensive coordinator.
Herman’s background and the role he could play
Herman’s résumé includes stints as an offensive coordinator at programs such as Texas State, Rice and Iowa State, a high-profile role at Ohio State under Urban Meyer, and head-coaching tenures at Houston, Texas and Florida Atlantic. Across those three head-coaching stints he compiled a combined record reported as 60-38.
| Position | Noted year/event |
|---|---|
| Broyles Award (top assistant) | 2014 |
| Chicago Bears analyst | 2021 |
| FAU head coach | 2023–24 (6-16) |
Exactly what title or responsibilities Herman would carry at Florida State were not disclosed publicly. Observers expect he would assist Norvell with offensive planning and play-calling preparation, easing the load after rapid staff changes this offseason.
Timing and local context
The impending hire comes late in the offseason, with preseason work and fall camp approaching. A new addition to the staff could affect scheme installation, game-planning and player roles that matter to season ticket holders and the local economy that rallies around FSU football on game days.
Florida State officials have not issued a statement. The Athletic reported the expected hire, and Warchant.com was first to report the news publicly, according to sports outlets. If the move is made official, the change will be watched closely by fans, boosters and recruits.
Coverage of the Seminoles’ staff decisions and preparations will continue as the program moves toward August practice and the 2026 schedule.
