ACC Media Days Spotlight Coaching Shifts, Bold Hopes \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Florida State coach Mike Norvell is optimistic after a disappointing 2023, bringing in Gus Malzahn and Tony White to overhaul the team. ACC media days also highlighted big names like Georgia Tech’s Buster Faulkner and Wake’s Demond Claiborne. Versatility and leadership were recurring themes across several programs preparing for the 2024 season.
Quick Looks
- Mike Norvell expressed intense excitement about the season ahead.
- FSU rebounded from a 2-win season after winning the ACC in 2023.
- Offensive struggles led to hiring Gus Malzahn to revive production.
- Tony White joins as defensive coordinator from Nebraska.
- Georgia Tech extended OC Buster Faulkner after offensive success.
- Wake Forest’s Demond Claiborne preps for a heavy rushing workload.
- Syracuse coach Fran Brown brought punter Jack Stonehouse to media days.
- Pitt’s Desmond Reid expects to do even more as an all-purpose threat.
- Louisville’s Antonio Watts emphasized defensive versatility and team-first mindset.
Deep Look
Florida State head coach Mike Norvell made an emphatic statement during Wednesday’s ACC Football Kickoff, showcasing a blend of energy, urgency, and redemption. His animated presence at the podium reflected more than just preseason hype — it symbolized a team and coach on a mission to rewrite their story after a disastrous 2023 season. For Norvell and the Seminoles, this year isn’t about cautious optimism; it’s about action, accountability, and drastic change.
“I’m extremely excited,” Norvell shouted with conviction, answering a question about his animated demeanor. His enthusiasm wasn’t empty rhetoric — it was grounded in dramatic offseason moves aimed at correcting the program’s trajectory. Last year, FSU endured a spectacular fall from grace, going from ACC champions to a team that finished in last place in the newly expanded 17-team conference. It marked a painful turnaround for a program that had finally recaptured its championship form after nearly a decade of struggle.
Following that two-win debacle, Norvell made bold moves. Both his offensive and defensive coordinators were dismissed before the end of the season, clearing the way for a fresh strategic approach in 2024. The most notable hire came on the offensive side of the ball, where Norvell brought in Gus Malzahn — the former head coach at Auburn and UCF — to overhaul an attack that ranked near the bottom nationally in both total yardage (270.3 yards per game) and scoring (15.4 points per game).
Malzahn brings more than name recognition. He led Auburn to the national championship game in 2013, where his team ironically lost to Florida State. Now, more than a decade later, he’s tasked with rescuing the very program that once beat him on college football’s biggest stage.
The Seminoles also added defensive mastermind Tony White, luring him from Nebraska, where he was credited with turning around the Huskers’ defense. White’s aggressive, modern defensive style is expected to bring much-needed energy and adaptability to a unit that underperformed in critical moments last year.
Norvell emphasized that both failure and growth are part of the program’s identity. “We’ve experienced the highest of highs, and we’ve also found ourselves in a valley,” he said. “We’ve faced some disappointments. But every part of it has come back to our response. This team and this season that’s ahead — I’ve got great expectations.”
But Florida State wasn’t the only program making headlines at the ACC’s media days.
Georgia Tech Prioritizes Continuity with Faulkner Extension
Georgia Tech ensured offensive consistency by signing offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner to a two-year contract extension. Faulkner, who helped the Yellow Jackets average 28.9 points and 424.5 yards per game last season, has been instrumental in revitalizing the program’s offensive identity.
ESPN first reported the extension, and head coach Brent Key confirmed the news later in the day. “He’s the best playcaller in the country,” Key said. “I’m excited for him, but more excited for the players who now get the continuity they need.”
Key emphasized that retaining staff is critical in the current college football landscape, where coaching turnover and transfer portals create instability. “Continuity on your team, your roster, your staff — that shows the stability of your program,” he added.
Claiborne Set for Heavy Workload at Wake Forest
At Wake Forest, new head coach Jake Dickert hinted at a significant workload for senior running back Demond Claiborne. With a grin, Dickert jokingly suggested that Claiborne could carry the ball 40 times per game — a rare workload in modern football.
Claiborne didn’t shy away from the idea. “If he wants to give me 40, I’ll take 40,” he said.
The 5-foot-10, 195-pound back rushed for 1,049 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. He’s put extra focus on durability this offseason, incorporating new stretching routines and nutrition strategies. He also reduced his body fat from around 15% to 13%, hoping the change boosts his agility and recovery.
“You can definitely tell when I take my shirt off — my abs are showing a little more,” he joked, underscoring his serious preparation.
Syracuse Honors a Punter’s Grit
In a break from tradition, new Syracuse head coach Fran Brown brought punter Jack Stonehouse to the media event — a decision rooted in leadership and culture-building.
Brown said Stonehouse personifies his “DART” philosophy: “detailed, accountable, relentless, and tough.” By honoring a specialist instead of a typical headline name, Brown sent a message: no role is too small when it comes to building a winning culture.
“It’s not the norm to bring your punter, but it wasn’t the norm for Syracuse to hire a cornerbacks coach as head coach either,” Brown said. “They gave me a shot. So who am I not to reward someone who works as hard as Jack?”
Stonehouse, surprised but proud, said he felt honored. “Since Coach Brown arrived, I’ve tried to show that I work hard and take pride in what I do,” he said.
Desmond Reid’s Expanded Role at Pitt
At Pittsburgh, Desmond Reid is ready to go beyond even his all-purpose role from last season. The 5-foot-8, 175-pound dynamo transferred from Western Carolina and made an immediate impact: 962 rushing yards, 579 receiving yards, 52 receptions, and 10 total touchdowns.
He also served as a punt returner and slot receiver, earning second-team All-American honors from the Associated Press. Despite his size, Reid said he’s never let critics define his path.
“My dad always told me, don’t worry about your size, just control what you can control,” Reid said.
Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi praised Reid as a “team guy” with a “big heart” and said he’ll continue to be used in creative ways to exploit mismatches across the field.
Louisville’s Antonio Watts Is the Defensive Swiss Army Knife
Louisville linebacker Antonio Watts may be listed at one position, but he’s become a true hybrid safety-linebacker presence — and a game-changer. In 2023, he started all 13 games, recording a career-high 51 tackles and finishing with a highlight-reel pass deflection to seal a 35-34 win over Washington in the Sun Bowl.
That final play — a leaping, one-handed deflection of a two-point conversion attempt — cemented his place as a player who thrives under pressure.
Watts said the trust of his coaches to play multiple roles has meant everything. “It takes a lot of trust to put you in different positions,” he said. “But I just want to help the team. Wherever I can contribute, I’m in.”
Looking Ahead: Final Day of ACC Media Days
The ACC’s three-day preseason football showcase concludes Thursday, with Boston College, Clemson, Duke, North Carolina, NC State, and Virginia Tech set to take the stage. With multiple teams undergoing major changes — from staff shakeups to roster reloads — the 2024 season is already shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable and competitive in recent memory.
For Florida State, this year isn’t just about recovery — it’s about restoration. For others like Georgia Tech, Pitt, and Wake Forest, the message is clear: continuity, culture, and versatility will be the keys to climbing the ACC ladder in a new era of college football.
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