Okay, here’s my take on sharing my experiences with the “Mike Norvell Football Coach” situation, blogging style.

My Deep Dive into the Mike Norvell Coaching Philosophy (and Why I’m Still Learning)
Alright, so I’ve been diving headfirst into studying Mike Norvell and his coaching style. It’s been a wild ride, honestly. I’m not some expert, just a regular dude trying to learn more about football strategy and leadership. So, let me walk you through what I’ve been up to.
It all started when I watched a few Florida State games. I was impressed by the team’s turnaround. They looked disciplined, and more importantly, like they were having fun. I wanted to know what made the team work, so I searched all over the internet to see how Mike Norvell leads his team, and started reading articles and watching interviews. I’m talking deep dives on YouTube, ESPN, anywhere I could find content.
First thing I did was take notes. Like, pages and pages of notes. I looked for common themes: things he emphasized in interviews, drills they seemed to run a lot in practices (based on the limited footage available), and of course, the results on the field.
One big thing that stood out was his emphasis on player development. He talks a lot about building relationships, understanding individual strengths and weaknesses, and creating a culture of accountability. So, I started focusing on finding examples of how he actually does that. It’s easy to say you’re about player development, but showing it is another thing.

Then, I tried to apply some of these concepts to my own life, haha! Okay, I don’t coach a football team (yet!), but I do manage a small team at work. Iexperimented with giving more personalized feedback, focusing on strengths, and trying to create a more positive and supportive environment. To be honest, some days failed miserably. Some days were better. It’s a process.
Next up, I focused on his offensive philosophy. I tried to understand the concepts behind their play calling: how they use tempo, how they create mismatches, and how they adjust to different defenses. I watched a LOT of game film (thank you, internet!).
Here’s the thing: it’s one thing to watch the games, but another to understand what’s happening. So, I started diagramming plays. I’d pause the game, draw out the formations, and try to predict what the offense was going to do. I was right sometimes and wrong a lot of times. It’s all part of learning.
I also looked into his recruiting strategy. Who does he target? What qualities does he look for in players? It’s not just about talent, it’s about character, work ethic, and fit within the team culture. That’s what I deduced. And his teams seem to have a certain “grit” to them – they don’t give up easily. So, he is recruiting well, and that’s just the plain truth.
Still Learning
Honestly, I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface. Learning about someone like Mike Norvell is a continuous journey. I’m constantly reading, watching, and experimenting. I’m still trying to figure out what makes him successful. The leadership, the development, the work ethic.

My next step? I want to dig deeper into his coaching tree. Who did he learn from? How has his philosophy evolved over time? What are the common threads that run through his coaching style?
The cool thing is, you don’t have to be a football coach to learn from someone like Mike Norvell. His principles of leadership, player development, and creating a winning culture can be applied to pretty much any field. He instills confidence and that resonates with me and with others. This is why, in the future, I will continue to follow his career as a head coach in college football.
Anyway, that’s my journey so far. Hope you found it interesting! What are your thoughts on Mike Norvell? Let me know in the comments (if I had comments!).