ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit praised Florida State’s hiring of Jeff Purinton as vice president and director of athletics, writing on X that the two-time alumnus understands the program’s culture and can restore the Seminoles.
“Congratulations @FloridaState on hiring a great man and guy in Jeff Purinton who grew up under the massive influence of the legendary Bobby Bowden and the great Rob Wilson! He understands the culture and will get the Noles back! Congrats Jeff-good luck my man!!” Herbstreit posted Nov. 9.
Florida State announced Purinton’s appointment the same day. He brings more than 30 years in college athletics, including early work in Seminole sports information under Bobby Bowden and Rob Wilson, 15 years at Alabama rising to executive deputy director of athletics under Nick Saban, a stint as athletic director at Arkansas State, and a recent role as executive vice president at Learfield overseeing SEC partnerships.
The hire follows months of upheaval. Florida State dismissed athletic director Michael Alford in September. The school then fired football coach Mike Norvell on Nov. 1 after a 36-24 home loss to Clemson. Norvell finished 41-39 overall and 23-30 in ACC play. Estimates of his buyout range from roughly $47 million to $51 million, subject to mitigation if he takes another job.
The Seminoles entered the week at 4-5 overall and 2-4 in the ACC after interim coach Rick Stockstill guided them to a 31-24 road win at Boston College on Nov. 7. Three games remain, including a Nov. 27 home date with Florida.
Purinton called the role his dream job during Tuesday’s introductory news conference.
“That was my dream, to be the AD and to give back to a place that has meant so much to me,” he said. He recalled watching then-athletic director Dave Hart as a young staffer and collecting FSU-branded cups from Doak Campbell Stadium stands in the 1980s for field-goal contests with friends.
Purinton identified the football coaching search as an immediate priority. He said the program will work behind the scenes with Parker Executive Search and evaluate candidates in part by “the product that you see on the field” — how teams play, compete, and motivate players. He noted a Florida State connection can bring passion but is not required.
University President Richard McCullough called Purinton a “perfect choice” and a “football guy” whose Learfield experience positions him to strengthen name, image and likeness efforts and revenue generation. Purinton said finding every revenue stream will rank high on his list.
He also set broader goals of improving academics and contending for championships across all sports while operating with integrity.
“Florida State can be the best athletics program in the country,” Purinton said. “We’ve seen it before.”
Herbstreit’s endorsement arrives against a backdrop of past friction. In 2023, he publicly supported the College Football Playoff selection committee’s decision to leave undefeated ACC champion Florida State out of the four-team field in favor of one-loss Alabama, drawing sharp criticism from some Seminole fans.
Purinton officially begins next week but has already started work. His first major test will be selecting a permanent football coach capable of returning the program to consistent contention.
