Florida State Seminoles Football has added Tom Herman to its support staff, a move first reported by On3. The hiring comes after Herman's recent dismissal from Florida Atlantic, where he served as head coach for a single, under‑performing season. Despite the abrupt exit, Herman arrives in Tallahassee with a résumé that spans eight years of collegiate head‑coaching experience and a quarter‑century of total coaching work.
A Storied Career in the Spotlight
Herman's coaching journey began in 1998 at Texas Lutheran, where he played college football at Cal Lutheran before transitioning to the sidelines. Over the next two decades he climbed the ranks, eventually becoming head coach at Florida Atlantic, the University of Texas and the University of Houston. At Houston he captured the 2015 American Athletic Conference Championship, earned the Broyles Award as the nation's top assistant, and was named AAC Coach of the Year and FWAA First‑Year Coach of the Year.
His tenure at Texas in 2018 produced a memorable 7‑3 season highlighted by a victory over Oklahoma, while his 2014 stint at Ohio State coincided with the program's national championship. Herman also spent the 2021 season as an offensive analyst for the Chicago Bears, further diversifying his exposure to professional play‑calling.
From Recent Setback to New Opportunity
After a disappointing 2024 campaign that led to his firing from Florida Atlantic on November 18, Herman reflected on the experience as a learning period, focusing on refining his offensive philosophy. He leaves with a career record of 60 wins and 36 losses, including a perfect 5‑0 bowl‑game record, underscoring his ability to perform under pressure.
Beyond head‑coaching roles, Herman has specialized in working with quarterbacks and wide receivers, holding offensive coordinator positions at multiple stops. His analytical background and player‑development expertise are expected to complement Florida State's existing staff and accelerate the growth of the Seminoles' signal‑callers.
What This Means for the Seminoles
The addition of a coach with Herman's breadth of experience signals Florida State's intent to reinforce its offensive identity. By integrating a veteran mind that has navigated championship environments and high‑stakes reconstructions, the Seminoles aim to elevate their playbook and provide deeper mentorship to emerging talent. The move also underscores the program's willingness to leverage seasoned leadership as it seeks to contend in the competitive Atlantic Coast Conference.