Noles Ex Football Star LB Joins FSU’ Coaching Staff For 2024 Season…
Mike Norvell has made it a point to bring former Seminoles back to Tallahassee. He could soon add another to his coaching staff.
When Florida State’s coaches and players hit the practice field to open spring camp on Tuesday, they were joined by a familiar face. Former star linebacker Ernie Sims walked into the practice alongside defensive tackles coach Odell Haggins. He was closely observing the defense and there’s a possibility, if not an expectation, that he’ll be taking on a role with the Seminoles in some fashion.
Head coach Mike Norvell wasn’t able to confirm Sims’s addition while speaking after practice. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the program makes an announcement in the near future.
“Not officially. But we’re glad to have him here, unofficially – no – he is officially here,” Norvell said with a smile.
Sims is coming off a one-year stint as the linebackers coach at UCF under Gus Malzahn. He’s worked at multiple colleges in the state of Florida since beginning his coaching career in 2018. Sims started off as the assistant strength and conditioning coordinator for Florida Atlantic prior to serving as the program’s director of football operations the following year when the Owls went 11-3, won a conference championship, and defeated SMU in the Boca Raton Bowl.
Following Lane Kiffin’s move to Ole Miss, Sims landed at USF as a defensive quality control analyst. He was promoted to linebackers coach the following season and held that role in 2022 while also serving as interim defensive coordinator.
A local product out of North Florida Christian High School, Sims signed with Florida State as the No. 1 recruit in 2003. He remains one of the highest-ranked prep recruits ever as Sims is tied with Jadevon Clowney, Robert Nkemdiche, Rashan Gary, and Vince Young for the No. 1 all-time spot on 247Sports with a 1.0000 rating.
Sims played for the legendary Bobby Bowden at Florida State and developed into a star for the Seminoles. He played in 37 games, with 22 starts, over three seasons and totaled 200 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 11 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, and a blocked kick. Sims was named an ESPN first-team All-American in 2004 and an ACC all-conference honorable mention in 2005.
Following his junior season, he declared early for the 2006 NFL Draft and was selected No. 9 overall by the Detroit Lions. He played eight seasons at the professional level with four different teams. Sims finished his playing career with 623 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, and an interception.
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DB Kaiden Hall on FSU offering during Thursday visit: “This is the one I’ve been waiting on.”
Florida State offered Milton (Fla.) 2026 defensive back Kaiden Hall during his Thursday visit to campus. He got the good news from defensive backs coach Patrick Surtain Sr.
“Coach Surtain just told me that I earned it and how he was proud of me,” Hall said of landing the offer.
He made his way to Tallahassee to check out the second spring practice for the Seminoles.
“The practice was very energetic and very fast, which I loved,” Hall said. “Another thing was the competitiveness that the players showed. That right there had me very entertained.”
Hall, who camped with the Seminoles last summer, has plans to make it back again later this spring.
“Hoping to get back for the spring showcase,” Hall said.
The Seminoles also made a move with offering him. They join an offer list that includes Auburn, Florida, Georgia Tech, Mississippi State, Tennessee, and more.
“FSU is definitely in my top two now,” Hall said. “This is the one I’ve been waiting on.”
FSU QB coach Tony Tokarz dishes on his three scholarship quarterbacks, as well as the return of Jordan Travis
TALLAHASSEE — Florida State quarterbacks coach Tony Tokarz spoke about his room after two days of spring practice. He has returning redshirt freshman quarterback Brock Glenn, and has mixed in true freshman Luke Kromenhoek and transfer redshirt senior DJ Uiagalelei. He spoke about how each of them has handled the past few months and first days of practice.
Tokarz also got a bit emotional in talking about former quarterback Jordan Travis. He discussed the impact Travis had on the QB room. He also spoke about seeing Travis close to a return on the field on the eve of FSU’s Pro Day.
College football recruiting news : Notre Dame, Florida State lead for elite big men, Vols find underrated WR
Six of the top-10 prospects in the class of 2025 committed ahead of their senior seasons, but plenty of action has yet to unfold on the college football recruiting trail. National recruiting analyst Tom Loy provided the latest news on several major prospects in the 2025 cycle, including multiple recruiting battles between Nebraska and Notre Dame and Florida State and Georgia.
The Huskers lead for Top247 quarterback prospect TJ Lateef, but Loy hesitates to log a Crystal Ball pick as Texas and Alabama pursue. The Longhorns are at risk of losing quarterback commitment KJ Lacey and may view Lateef as a backup plan. Nebraska is also heavily involved in several other major recruiting battles, pushing Miami and Notre Dame for multiple elite prospects.
Loy also updated the recruitment of top-ranked offensive tackle David Sanders Jr. and provided information on targets for USC, Oregon, LSU, South Carolina, Ohio State and Tennessee, among others.