WFSU Local News

FSU football OC Alex Atkins is returning to the field after serving a three-game suspension

WFSU | By Adrian Andrews

Published September 17, 2024 at 12:52 PM EDT

Florida State offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Alex Atkins directs a drill during warm-ups before an NCAA college football game against Boston College on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

The Noles will soon get some additional help on the sideline.

Head coach Mike Norvell and the Florida State football team (0-3) are gearing up for yet another tough battle this Saturday, as the team faces Cal (3-0).

Norvell greeted a crowd of unhappy Seminoles fans at Monday’s press event in College Town.

The question on everyone’s mind...how the team can improve?

Memphis running back Mario Anderson (2) dodges Florida State defensive lineman Sione Lolohea (13) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Colin Hackley)

"It was not the result anyone wanted or expected going into that game," Norvell said in response to last week's loss against Memphis (3-0).

Rough start for the Seminoles
The Noles enter Saturday’s match against the Golden Bears 0-3, the worst start to an FSU football season since 2021, when the team lost four straight games.

Norvell described last week’s 20-12 loss to Memphis as “disappointing.”

Florida State offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Alex Atkins jogs across the field during warm-ups before an NCAA college football game against Boston College on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

'Alex is so important to this football team'
Sports analysts are giving the Seminoles the edge over Cal. Part of that comes with the return of offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Alex Atkins.

Atkins was reinstated Monday after serving a three-game suspension for breaking NCAA recruiting protocol in the spring of 2022.

Norvell says Adkins' presence will greatly improve the team’s success going forward.

“Alex is so important to this football team," said Norvell. “We’re grateful for his presence. He’s the leader of our offense too. He has a big stamp on all thing that we do.”

Saturday’s game against Cal will be played at Doak Campbell Stadium. The game kicks off at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.

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FSU football schedule 2024:

Saturday, Aug. 24: vs. Georgia Tech* (Aer Lingus College Football Classic) Lost 24-21
Monday, Sept. 2: vs. Boston College* | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo) Lost 28-13
Saturday, Sept. 14: vs. Memphis | Noon | ESPN (Fubo) Lost 20-12
Saturday, Sept. 21: vs. Cal* |7 p.m. | ESPN2
Saturday, Sept. 28: at SMU*
Saturday, Oct. 5: vs. No. 14 Clemson*
Saturday, Oct. 12: Bye
Friday, Oct. 18: at Duke* | 7 p.m. | ESPN2 (Fubo)
Saturday, Oct. 26: at No. 19 Miami*
Saturday, Nov. 2: vs. North Carolina*
Saturday, Nov. 9: at No. 7 Notre Dame | 7:30 p.m. | NBC (Fubo, Peacock)
Saturday, Nov. 23: vs. Charleston Southern
Saturday, Nov. 30: vs. Florida
Saturday, Dec. 6: ACC championship game (Charlotte, N.C)