Who is Rick Stockstill? What to know of FSU interim coach, former Seminoles QB - USA Today

Florida State football announced the firing of seventh-year coach Mike Norvell on Sunday, Nov. 1, after years of struggles.

The Seminoles' 36-24 loss to Clemson in Week 9 was the final straw for Norvell, who has led the program to a 10-22 record the last three seasons, which includes a school-worst 2-10 mark in 2024.

Firing Norvell wasn't cheap, either. He's owed $50.3 million by Florida State for buying out his contract, although that figure could lower with his duty-to-mitigate clause in his contract.

Florida State needs to win three of its next four games against Boston College, Pittsburgh, North Carolina State and Florida to reach bowl eligibility for the first time since 2023. Rick Stockstill will be in charge of piloting the Seminoles down the stretch after the program finally moved on from Norvell, who has been on the hot seat for multiple seasons.

Stockstill is a 68-year-old assistant that was hired to be Florida State's director of scouting for offense in 2024. Stockstill was previously the head coach at Middle Tennessee State from 2006-23, leading the Blue Raiders to four bowl wins.

Stockstill is in his 44th season of coaching in college football.

Stockstill being named interim coach makes perfect sense for Florida State, as he played quarterback for the Seminoles under legendary coach Bobby Bowden from 1977-81 and has head coaching experience.

Stockstill was a team captain in 1981, earning honorable mention All-American honors. He finished his career with 2,834 passing yards and 26 passing touchdowns before graduating in 1982, ranking fifth all-time in touchdowns at the time his career ended.

Stockstill was a longtime assistant before he was hired at Middle Tennessee State in 2006. He started his career as the offensive coordinator at Bethune-Cookman from 1983-84 before becoming the receivers coach at UCF from 1985-88.

Stockstill was then an assistant at Clemson from 1989-2002, serving in a variety of offensive roles before becoming the offensive coordinator at East Carolina in 2003. He then spent two seasons at South Carolina – first as the receivers coach and second as the tight ends coach in 2004 and 2005 – before being hired at Middle Tennessee State.

He was hired as an offensive assistant in 2024 by Florida State, his alma mater, after he was fired by Middle Tennessee State following the 2023 season.

Stockstill finished his 18-year run at Middle Tennessee State with a 113-111 record, including a 4-6 mark in bowl games. He led the Blue Raiders to a Sun Belt title in 2006 and was named the conference's coach of the year twice, both in 2006 and 2009.

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