Mike Norvell does not yet have a successor but Michael Alford does. Earlier this week, Florida State named Jeff Purinton its new director of athletics.
An FSU alumnus and former sports information director for the football program, Purinton roomed with 2000 Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke during his time as an undergraduate. Purinton received both his bachelor’s and master’s degree from FSU.
Most recently at Arkansas State, Purinton arrives with an extensive resume. He spent 15 years at Alabama where he served as executive deputy director of athletics. During his time in Tuscaloosa, Purinton worked hand-in-hand with legendary head coach Nick Saban, who owns seven national championships as a head coach — six at Alabama.
Purinton also had stops with the Orange Bowl Committee and an administrative position with Learfield.
"I want to give my deep appreciation and thanks to President Richard McCullough and (Board of Trustees) Chair Peter Collins for placing their trust and belief in me to lead Florida State Athletics," Purinton said in a release. "Florida State is home to me in so many ways. It's where I went to school, where I got my start in this profession and where I learned from people who helped shape the way I've approached my career. I was fortunate to work with Coach (Bobby) Bowden, Coach (Mike) Martin and Coach Saban. The lessons I learned from them about leadership, relationships and representing an institution have stayed with me.”
Click here for the full release from Seminoles.com.
FOOTBALL
Record: 5-5 (3-4 ACC)
Ranking: N/A
Past Week: (1-0), beat Pittsburgh on Friday, 16-10
Upcoming: vs. NC State (Saturday)
Recognitions: Amari Thomas, RB (ACC Rookie of the Week); Xavier Chaplin, OL (ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week)
Commitments: None
Decommitments: None
2027 Recruiting Class Rank: No. 37 nationally, seventh in ACC* (14 total commitments)
Wrap-up: After consecutive road wins, FSU is one victory from bowl eligibility.
Soccer
Record: 9-4-3 (5-2-2 ACC)
Ranking: No. 16 United Soccer Coaches; No. 4 seed ACC Tournament
Past Week: (0-1), lost to Virginia in ACC Tournament on Sunday, 3-0
Upcoming: vs. TBA (NCAA Tournament)
Recognitions: Wrianna Hudson, F (All-ACC second team); Bridget Mutipula (ACC All-Freshman team)
Wrap-up: After falling in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals, FSU will wait to learn its NCAA Tournament destination and opponent.
Volleyball
Record: 14-12 (8-7 ACC)
Ranking: N/A
Past Week: (1-1), lost to Stanford on Sunday, 3-0; beat Boston College on Friday, 3-1
Upcoming: at Syracuse (Sunday); at Duke (Friday)
Recognitions: Kyleene Filimaua, OH (ACC Player of the Week)
Wrap-up: After a mini skid, FSU got back on track with a road win at Boston College. Kyleene Filimaua now has more than 1,000 career kills and digs.
Women’s Golf
Ranking: No. 8 Golf Channel; No. 17 WGCA Coaches
Past Week: Idle
Upcoming: Collegiate Invitational (Jan. 29-30)
Recognitions: None
Wrap-up: FSU will resume play in late January.
Cross Country
Ranking: Men No. 7 USTFCCCA South Region; women No. 3 USTFCCCA South Region
Past Week: Men and women each finished fourth at NCAA South Regional
Upcoming: NCAA Championships (Saturday)
Recognitions: None
Wrap-up: Both FSU teams finished in the top half during the NCAA South Regional. Six total runners earned All-Region honors.
Swimming and Diving
Ranking: N/A
Past Week: Men lost at South Carolina on Friday, 163.5-136.5; women lost at South Carolina, 225-75
Upcoming: Georgia Invite (Thursday-Nov. 22)
Recognitions: None
Wrap-up: FSU will head to Athens for its final event until January.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Record: 3-1
Ranking: N/A
Past Week: (1-1), lost to Florida on Tuesday, 81-72; beat Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Friday, 84-60
Upcoming: vs. Ball State (Tuesday); vs. Green Bay (Friday)
Recognitions: Marcis Ponder, C (ACC Freshman of the Week)
Commitments: None
Decommitments: None
2027 Recruiting Class Rank: N/A (0 total commitments)
Wrap-up: FSU bounced back nicely from its first loss of the season.
Women’s Basketball
Record: 4-0
Ranking: N/A
Past Week: (2-0), beat Florida A&M on Sunday, 101-42; beat West Florida on Wednesday, 86-58
Upcoming: vs. Florida (Sunday); vs. Purdue (Thursday, WBCA Showcase); vs. UCF (Saturday, WBCA Showcase)
Recognitions: None
Wrap-up: The competition will ramp up this week, but FSU is 4-0 for the first time in three years.
- Mike Ferguson is the lead writer for Double Fries No Slaw. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson. For all of his work, “Like” or “Follow” Mike on Facebook.
