FSU's Strategic Herman Hire
Florida State Adds Former Head Coach Tom Herman to 2026 Staff Amid Program Rebuild
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Key Points
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Tom Herman has a track record of major wins as a head coach, including Houston's 2015 Peach Bowl victory over Florida State in his first season and Texas' 2019 Sugar Bowl appearance.
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Herman has earned notable coaching accolades, such as the 2014 Broyles Award (as part of Ohio State’s national-title staff) and Houston’s 2015 AAC Championship under his leadership.
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Herman’s stint at Florida Atlantic ended with a 6-16 overall record over two seasons, including a 2-8 mark in the 2024 campaign before he was fired.
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His offensive-responsibility footprint spans multiple roles, from Ohio State’s 2012-2014 offensive coordinator to quarterback/wide-receiver/OL coaching assignments and an NFL offensive-analyst stint with the Chicago Bears in 2021.
Florida State football has quietly added Tom Herman to its 2026 coaching staff, according to Bellingham Herald. Herman is a former head coach at Houston, Texas, and Florida Atlantic — three programs across different levels of college football. No official announcement has been made by FSU.
The hire signals that head coach Mike Norvell is leaning on experienced names to rebuild a program that has slipped in recent seasons. Herman brings over a decade of head-coaching experience at the Power Four level, though his most recent stop ended in a firing after a 6-16 record at FAU.
Herman's Highs: Peach Bowls and Big Wins
Herman built his name fast. At Houston, he went 13-1 in his first season and won the 2015 AAC Championship. That year, his Cougars beat Florida State in the Peach Bowl — the same school he now works for. He also earned the 2014 Broyles Award as part of Ohio State's national title staff, given to the nation's top assistant coach.
Herman then took the Texas job in 2016. He led the Longhorns to the 2019 Sugar Bowl. He went 32-18 overall at Texas before being fired in 2021. After Texas, he spent time as an offensive analyst with the Chicago Bears in the NFL before returning to college football at FAU.
FAU Stint Ends Badly Before FSU Calls
Herman's time at Florida Atlantic did not go well. He went 6-16 over two seasons. His final year in 2024 was especially rough — a 2-8 record before he was let go. The short turnaround from FAU to FSU's staff raised eyebrows, but FSU appears to value his offensive knowledge over his recent results.
What Herman Brings to Norvell's Offense
Herman's coaching background is heavily focused on offense. He served as Ohio State's offensive coordinator from 2012 to 2014. Before that, he coached quarterbacks, wide receivers, and offensive linemen at various programs. That wide range of offensive experience is likely why FSU brought him in, according to The News Tribune.
His exact role at FSU has not been announced. Reports suggest he could help with recruiting and player development. FSU has made a habit of adding former head coaches to its staff under Norvell. The idea is to use their experience to mentor players and add credibility when recruiting top prospects.
FSU Looks to Reverse a Slide With Experience
Florida State has struggled recently after years of elite play. Norvell's staff has now added multiple former head coaches in staff roles. The strategy bets that proven leaders — even those with mixed records — can lift a program faster than developing younger, unproven assistants.
Herman is 49 years old and still considered a sharp offensive mind by many in the sport. Whether his presence translates into wins for FSU in 2026 remains to be seen. But the quiet addition shows Norvell is actively working to shake things up heading into next season.
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