By Entering this week’s game against the Boston College Eagles, the Florida State Seminoles will be led by Rick Stockstill, who was named interim head coach after former head coach Mike Norvell was fired.
Stockstill is a Florida State Athletics Hall of Fame quarterback who played under Bobby Bowden and made his return to Tallahassee before the 2024 season as director of scouting for offense. Before rejoining the Seminoles, Stockstill spent 18 years as the head coach at Middle Tennessee State University, where he compiled a 113-11 record. During his tenure, he coached nine All-Americans and developed six NFL Draft picks.
“I just want to recognize [coach Norvell] and thank him. I told our team yesterday, the best way we can show our respect for him is how we play, how we compete, how hard we do things … I love Florida State. I love Florida State football," Stockstill said in a press conference on Nov. 2.
FSU’s defense will be led by new interim defensive coordinator Ernie Sims, who was previously the linebackers coach under former defensive coordinator Tony White. Offensive coordinator Tim Harris Jr. will be the primary offensive play caller, while Greg Moss now leads the safeties after former safeties coach Evan Cooper was also fired.
What to know before Saturday’s noon kickoff
The ’Noles head to Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, this weekend to face the Eagles after a 36-24 loss to Clemson University on Oct. 31, the Garnet and Gold’s third straight defeat. Florida State holds an all-time 16-6 record against the Eagles. The last time the two faced off was on Sept. 2, 2024, in Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Boston College currently holds a 4-4 record and a 2-3 record in the ACC, while the Seminoles hold a 3-5 record and a 1-4 record in the ACC.
Fifth-year senior quarterback Ashton Daniels ranks second nationally with 15.50 yards per completion and sixth with 26 touchdowns accounted for. Daniels also currently holds FSU’s single-game record with five rushing touchdowns, set against the University of Virginia.
Senior wide receiver Duce Robinson tore his ACL against Clemson last weekend and will miss the remainder of the season. After leading the ’Noles in receiving yards last season, Robinson once again has been the leading receiver through eight games in 2026, with 438 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
Fifth-year senior kicker Gabe Panikowski has upheld a perfect record in his NCAA career, going 22-for-22 on field goal attempts, including 7-for-7 this season. He is also the only active qualified kicker in any NCAA division who is perfect in his career. His 22 consecutive made field goals are the second-longest active streak in the NCAA.
Preparing for Stockstill’s debut
Stockstill has already addressed the team and has been actively preparing them for this week’s game against Boston College, while guiding them through the adjustments made to the program’s coaching staff.
“I told them I gave my heart and soul to this program a long time ago, and I’m going to give my heart and soul to them for these next two months,” Stockstill said.
Now, as Stockstill leads Florida State against Boston College in his first game as interim head coach for the program he has so much history with, he encourages Seminoles fans to not lose faith so quickly.
“You became a fan of Florida State because you love Florida State. Don't let a bad game or a bad year or two bad years, don't let that steal your love and joy and passion for Florida State. It's not always easy … but Florida State's gonna be back. And when it does take off they can be the ones that say I went through the hard times and now I'm enjoying the good times again,” Stockstill said.
FSU faces Boston College at noon on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.
Alyssa Garcia is a Staff Writer for the FSView & Florida Flambeau, the student-run, independent online news service for the FSU community. Email our staff at contact@fsview.com.
This article originally appeared on FSU News: New week, new interim head hoach: Rick Stockstill leads the Seminoles
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/week-interim-head-hoach-rick-140137378.html
