Being a head coach was great for Gus Malzahn.
But returning to offensive coordinator for Florida State football is just as rewarding for the former UCF coach.
Malzahn and defensive coordinator Tony White met with the media on Wednesday.
Malzahn expressed his excitement about continuing to coach on the offensive side and reuniting with Mike Norvell after their long history of working together in Tulsa.
Malzahn was the team’s offensive coordinator and quarterback’s coach. Norvell started as a graduate assistant and wide receivers coach, putting together the No. 1 offense in the country in back-to-back years in 2007-08.
“Just really excited to be back with him,” Malzahn said.
“We’re really good together, and we were the number one offensive college football two years in a row. We broke all kinds of records and all that. So we’re really close. I’m excited to be here to help.”
Malzahn will call plays in place of Norvell for the Seminoles in 2025. FSU finished the year 2-10 and had one of the worst offenses nationally, ranking at the bottom in nearly every offensive category.
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Malzahn has developed great quarterbacks throughout his coaching career. The most notable were Cam Newton and current NFL rookie Bo Nix.
Malzahn undoubtedly has a knack for dual-threat quarterbacks. It’s what makes his offense go.
Malzahn said he wants a quarterback with a championship mentality, similar to Newton’s when he won the Heisman trophy during that championship season in 2010.
“First of all, a winner,” Malzahn said.
“Somebody who has the ability to make people around them the best they can be, someone who has the skill set to play championship-level football, pushing the ball down the field, being able to extend plays.”
FSU plans to address the quarterback position in the transfer portal, which will fit Malzahn’s scheme. Former Boston College quarterback Thomas Castellanos was spotted on FSU campus earlier Wednesday.
Malzahn coached Castellanos when he was at UCF.
Freshman quarterback Luke Kromenhoek entered the transfer portal on Tuesday after one season. Brock Glenn remains on the roster.
“I’ve been very blessed to have an assortment of different kinds of quarterbacks with different skill sets, and we build around their strengths, ” Malzahn said.
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Pounding the football is a must in Malzahn’s offense.
Malzahn wants the running game to be fast and physical, which was a struggle for the Seminoles as they averaged 89.9 yards a game, 130th in the country, and eight rushing touchdowns, ranked 131st.
Malzahn sees the talent of the running backs on the current roster but is still evaluating what he sees on film from a schematic perspective and what went wrong.
“I mean, schematically, honestly, not completely evaluated. I did more individual, you know, I’m a big believer in downhill,” Malzahn said.
“It makes everything better for pass protection, better for the quarterback, everything. I think the big thing is just the emphasis on the downhill and being committed to it.”
UCF was consistently a Top 10 running team during Malzahn’s tenure, including this season, where the Knights are ranked No. 5 with 5.8 yards a carry and No. 8 with 33 rushing touchdowns.
What plays a part in a dominant rushing attack starts up front, and Malzahn is excited to have Herb Hand coaching the offensive line for the Seminoles.
“He’s one of the best in the country, if not the best offensive line coach in all of college football,” Malzahn said. “So, really excited to have him working with us. He’ll be the big part. “
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Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
