FSU Seminoles: James Coley
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- It's Rankings Week at Nole Nation, and each day we'll be counting down the top teams, players and matchups of the 2013 season. First up, a look at FSU's schedule.
1. Clemson Tigers (Oct. 19 in Clemson, S.C.): There are 11 other games on the schedule, and Florida State can't afford to overlook anyone. But for most fans and prognosticators, the 2013 season comes down to this one. FSU and Clemson figure to be playing for the division title, and Tajh Boyd, Sammy Watkins and an improved Tigers defense will offer plenty of concerns for Jimbo Fisher's crew. The winner of this game has won the Atlantic Division in each of the last four seasons.
2. Florida Gators (Nov. 30 in Gainesville, Fla.): Last year's debacle in Tallahassee might have been FSU's ugliest game of the year, and the task won't get any easier this time around when the Seminoles close out the season on the road in Gainesville. If FSU can protect the football better than it did a year ago it has a chance, but that tough Gators defense might be the biggest test Jameis Winston will face all year.
1. Clemson Tigers (Oct. 19 in Clemson, S.C.): There are 11 other games on the schedule, and Florida State can't afford to overlook anyone. But for most fans and prognosticators, the 2013 season comes down to this one. FSU and Clemson figure to be playing for the division title, and Tajh Boyd, Sammy Watkins and an improved Tigers defense will offer plenty of concerns for Jimbo Fisher's crew. The winner of this game has won the Atlantic Division in each of the last four seasons.
2. Florida Gators (Nov. 30 in Gainesville, Fla.): Last year's debacle in Tallahassee might have been FSU's ugliest game of the year, and the task won't get any easier this time around when the Seminoles close out the season on the road in Gainesville. If FSU can protect the football better than it did a year ago it has a chance, but that tough Gators defense might be the biggest test Jameis Winston will face all year.
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A Lone Star State prospect who has seen his profile rise quickly this spring is 2015 tight end Jordan Davis. The Houston Clear Lake product committed to Florida State in March. At the time, the Seminoles were his only offer but the relationship existed for some time after Davis visited an FSU camp last summer. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound tight end acknowledged that even with the commitment, he would take visits and in the last month has gone to Texas for its sophomore day and most recently, to Texas A&M for the Maroon-and-White spring game. He has added offers from Texas and Oklahoma since his commitment.
Davis, who is being courted by Aggies special teams coordinator and tight ends coach Jeff Banks as well as offensive coordinator Clarence McKinney, recaps his visit to Aggieland with GigEmNation:
Davis, who is being courted by Aggies special teams coordinator and tight ends coach Jeff Banks as well as offensive coordinator Clarence McKinney, recaps his visit to Aggieland with GigEmNation:
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WR commit Worton satisfied with FSU trip 
April, 1, 2013
Apr 1
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By
Corey Dowlar | ESPN.com
This weekend gave Florida State a chance to improve its standing with commitment C.J. Worton (Homestead, Fla./South Dade) amid the speculation of Miami's increased influence.
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Miami offer shakes things up for Worton
March, 29, 2013
Mar 29
7:31
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By
Corey Dowlar | ESPN.com
James Coley's departure to Miami has already made an impact. Joseph Yearby (Miami/Central), a former Florida State commitment, switched to the Hurricanes since the change was made.
And now Coley is hoping it can happen again with wide receiver C.J. Worton (Homestead, Fla./South Dade). Miami recently offered the Florida State commitment and gave him something new to think about.
And now Coley is hoping it can happen again with wide receiver C.J. Worton (Homestead, Fla./South Dade). Miami recently offered the Florida State commitment and gave him something new to think about.
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Editor’s note: Each day until the start of spring practice, we’ll pose a question facing Florida State's football team as it moves toward the 2013 season. Today’s question: Will new coaches bring big changes for FSU?
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Jimbo Fisher said he's eager for spring practice to begin because it offers the first incites into the personality of this upcoming season's team. For the first time in four years, however, his players might be able to say the same about the coaching staff.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Jimbo Fisher said he's eager for spring practice to begin because it offers the first incites into the personality of this upcoming season's team. For the first time in four years, however, his players might be able to say the same about the coaching staff.
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State of the Noles: Cornerback
February, 27, 2013
Feb 27
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By David Hale & Corey Dowlar | ESPN.com
NoleNation writers David Hale and Corey Dowlar are going position by position, looking at what FSU has on its roster now, and who might provide reinforcements down the line, projecting starters and evaluating the depth through 2015.
Up next, one of the most promising positions on the FSU roster: Cornerback.
Up next, one of the most promising positions on the FSU roster: Cornerback.
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Watch List RB flips to an in-state rival
February, 26, 2013
Feb 26
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By
Corey Dowlar | ESPN.com
Having been committed to the Seminoles for nearly a year, Joseph Yearby (Miami/Central) appeared set on his decision.
Well, not so fast.
Well, not so fast.
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Fisher still reluctant to cede play-calling
February, 6, 2013
Feb 6
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By
David M. Hale | ESPN.com
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The next two days are a chance for Jimbo Fisher to take a breath and collect his thoughts after a chaotic stretch in which six assistant coaches left and 22 new players joined the fold. On Monday, however, Fisher plans to be back at work, beginning interviews to fill the final vacancy on his staff.
Fisher said he'll begin interviewing candidates for the vacant quarterbacks coach position next week, but it still sounds unlikely he'll be looking for someone to take over calling plays.
"It depends on who we can hire, who we're able to get," Fisher said. "It possibly could [involve play-calling]. We'll wait and see the guys that come in and the interview process of how it goes and where we're at."
What was clear, however, was that Fisher wasn't ready to hand over play-calling duties to departed offensive coordinator James Coley, who left last month for Miami (Fla.). Coley had been FSU's tight ends coach and a top recruiter until December, when Fisher moved him to coach quarterbacks -- a move Fisher said was a precursor to a bigger role.
Fisher said during the season he had a longterm plan to gradually hand off play-calling responsibilities, but Coley's opportunity at Miami was immediate, and Fisher's plans were not.
"That was the plan of maybe possibly put him in that role and bring him along, and I think he could've done that," Fisher said of Coley. "It was one of the reasons I wanted to swing him into quarterbacks. When you call a game, it's very important to see the game through the quarterback's eyes. That's as important a thing in calling plays as anything there is. That's a key element we were going to develop."
Coley's replacement will likely get the same chance, with Fisher saying he's unlikely to shift a coach from his current position to handle quarterbacks.
"Most likely, yes, a quarterback guy," Fisher said. "I would say a very high percentage of that."
The bigger question, however, might be the percentage that coach will also be given a chance to truly have a hand in designing and calling the offense.
Fisher said he'll begin interviewing candidates for the vacant quarterbacks coach position next week, but it still sounds unlikely he'll be looking for someone to take over calling plays.
"It depends on who we can hire, who we're able to get," Fisher said. "It possibly could [involve play-calling]. We'll wait and see the guys that come in and the interview process of how it goes and where we're at."
What was clear, however, was that Fisher wasn't ready to hand over play-calling duties to departed offensive coordinator James Coley, who left last month for Miami (Fla.). Coley had been FSU's tight ends coach and a top recruiter until December, when Fisher moved him to coach quarterbacks -- a move Fisher said was a precursor to a bigger role.
Fisher said during the season he had a longterm plan to gradually hand off play-calling responsibilities, but Coley's opportunity at Miami was immediate, and Fisher's plans were not.
"That was the plan of maybe possibly put him in that role and bring him along, and I think he could've done that," Fisher said of Coley. "It was one of the reasons I wanted to swing him into quarterbacks. When you call a game, it's very important to see the game through the quarterback's eyes. That's as important a thing in calling plays as anything there is. That's a key element we were going to develop."
Coley's replacement will likely get the same chance, with Fisher saying he's unlikely to shift a coach from his current position to handle quarterbacks.
"Most likely, yes, a quarterback guy," Fisher said. "I would say a very high percentage of that."
The bigger question, however, might be the percentage that coach will also be given a chance to truly have a hand in designing and calling the offense.
Four-star wide receiver Jesus Wilson (Miami/Columbus) was just one of the many Florida State commitments with a great relationship with former assistant James Coley.
Having camped at FSU over the summer and proven his ability to Coley and the staff, Wilson committed back in June. This coaching change, he said, doesn't affect that.
"I was really surprised he left," Wilson said. "We had a great relationship, but I'm not mad at him. He made a good decision for him and his family. He's a Miami guy and I know it feels good to be home."
Having camped at FSU over the summer and proven his ability to Coley and the staff, Wilson committed back in June. This coaching change, he said, doesn't affect that.
"I was really surprised he left," Wilson said. "We had a great relationship, but I'm not mad at him. He made a good decision for him and his family. He's a Miami guy and I know it feels good to be home."
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Two weekends ago, Tashawn Bower (Somerville, N.J./Immaculata) was on campus visiting Florida State and assistant coach James Coley.
Fast forward to Thursday, and Coley is no longer a member of the Seminoles coaching staff. He's Miami's new offensive coordinator.
The ESPN 150 defensive end was clear and concise when asked whether the Seminoles would be eliminated from his list because of the coaching turnover.
Fast forward to Thursday, and Coley is no longer a member of the Seminoles coaching staff. He's Miami's new offensive coordinator.
The ESPN 150 defensive end was clear and concise when asked whether the Seminoles would be eliminated from his list because of the coaching turnover.
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It has been a crazy 24 hours for Jeremy Kerr (St. Petersburg, Fla./St. Petersburg).
On Wednesday morning, he flipped his commitment from Miami to Florida State. And on Thursday afternoon, his potential position coach, James Coley, chose to take the offensive coordinator job at Miami and leave Florida State.
Although a bit shocking, Kerr wished Coley the best, understanding the bigger picture.
On Wednesday morning, he flipped his commitment from Miami to Florida State. And on Thursday afternoon, his potential position coach, James Coley, chose to take the offensive coordinator job at Miami and leave Florida State.
Although a bit shocking, Kerr wished Coley the best, understanding the bigger picture.
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As far as favorite coaches go, James Coley was at the top of the list for FSU commit C.J. Worton (Homestead, Fla./South Dade). The 2014 wide receiver wasn't expecting him to leave for in-state rival Miami, though.
"Coach Coley was one of the closest coaches to me," Worton said.
Worton expressed some uncertainty about his commitment status. It'll be something that both FSU and Worton will likely visit over the coming weeks.
"Coach Coley was one of the closest coaches to me," Worton said.
Worton expressed some uncertainty about his commitment status. It'll be something that both FSU and Worton will likely visit over the coming weeks.
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- For the sixth time in less than two months, Jimbo Fisher is looking for a new assistant coach, this time losing offensive coordinator James Coley to rival Miami.
Coley's decision to depart FSU stemmed largely from his desire to have more control over the offense, something he didn't have under Fisher, who retained play-calling responsibilities even after taking over as head coach in 2010.
Fisher's role in designing the offense -- both during the week and on game day -- has been a source of continued speculation and criticism among the fan base, particularly following an October loss to NC State last season in which his conservative approach in a scoreless second half was largely blamed for the defeat.
At the time, Fisher suggested handing play calling and head-coaching responsibilities wasn't a problem, but he later said he had a plan to one day hand over the job of play caller to an assistant. He just refused to say exactly when.
Coley's decision to depart FSU stemmed largely from his desire to have more control over the offense, something he didn't have under Fisher, who retained play-calling responsibilities even after taking over as head coach in 2010.
Fisher's role in designing the offense -- both during the week and on game day -- has been a source of continued speculation and criticism among the fan base, particularly following an October loss to NC State last season in which his conservative approach in a scoreless second half was largely blamed for the defeat.
At the time, Fisher suggested handing play calling and head-coaching responsibilities wasn't a problem, but he later said he had a plan to one day hand over the job of play caller to an assistant. He just refused to say exactly when.
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Juco DE Hollin commits to Florida State
December, 10, 2012
12/10/12
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By
Corey Dowlar | ESPN.com
Desmond Hollin, a juco defensive end out of ASA College in New York, has committed to Florida State.
Hollin, a 6-foot-4, 260-pound prospect originally from Miami's Southridge High School, was offered a scholarship by the Seminoles on Dec. 2. At the time, he said he was a going to wait to make his decision, but did admit Florida State was on top of his list.
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Florida State's defensive end predicament, whether or not draft eligible junior Bjoern Werner would go pro, seems like it might have been decided.
A new offer went out on Sunday afternoon to ASA College end Desmond Hollin, originally a Miami native that played at Southridge High School. The Seminoles' decision left quite an impact.
"It is a dream come true," he said.
A new offer went out on Sunday afternoon to ASA College end Desmond Hollin, originally a Miami native that played at Southridge High School. The Seminoles' decision left quite an impact.
"It is a dream come true," he said.
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ABOUT NOLE NATION
David Hale
David Hale joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering the Philadelphia Phillies for The News Journal in Wilmington, Del., and the University of Georgia for The Macon (Ga.) Telegraph. Hale has written about college and professional sports since 2004. He currently lives in Tallahassee, Fla., and can be reached at davidmhale@gmail.com.
Corey Dowlar
Corey Dowlar joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering Florida State and South Florida athletics for 247Sports.com and Rivals.com. Dowlar has written about Florida State sports and recruiting since 2007. He currently lives in Clearwater, Fla., and can be reached at cdowlar@gmail.com.