FSU Football Counting on Tremendous Investment in Special Teams to Deliver

New special teams coordinator Adam Scheier aims to revitalize the Seminoles' inconsistent unit.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 11:07am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Florida State's special teams struggled with inconsistency across the board in 2025, including issues with field goal kicking, punt returns, and kick returns. Head coach Mike Norvell has made a significant investment in special teams, bringing in new coordinator Adam Scheier from UNLV to turn the unit around. Scheier has recognized Norvell's emphasis on special teams and plans to instill an identity of playing "smart, fast, and physical" to positively impact field position and the overall game.

Why it matters

Special teams have traditionally been a strength for Florida State under Norvell, but the unit's struggles last season were a major factor in the team's disappointing 2025 campaign. Improving special teams will be crucial for the Seminoles to bounce back and compete for an ACC title in 2026.

The details

Florida State only made 63.2% of its field goal attempts in 2025 and struggled to find consistency in the punt and kick return games. The Seminoles lost their starting kicker, punter, long snapper, and primary return specialists from last season. New special teams coordinator Adam Scheier was brought in from UNLV to revitalize the unit, and he has recognized Norvell's emphasis on special teams as a key part of the team's overall success.

  • Florida State will hold its first spring scrimmage on Saturday morning.

The players

Mike Norvell

The head coach of the Florida State Seminoles football team, who has made special teams a major priority.

Adam Scheier

The new special teams coordinator at Florida State, hired from UNLV to revitalize the Seminoles' special teams unit.

Squirrel White

A former Florida State player who struggled with punt returns in 2025.

Jaylin Lucas

A former Florida State player who struggled with punt returns in 2025.

Lawayne McCoy

A former Florida State player who struggled with punt returns in 2025.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I think when the head coach takes that approach, it's hard for the players not to buy into it.”

— Adam Scheier, Special Teams Coordinator

“Coach Norvell, not only does he make it important to the team and the staff, he's very knowledgeable. Certainly, as special teams coordinator, having that resource to bounce ideas off to help with how we're calling things, how we're communicating, what we're focusing on, what we're emphasizing, it's been outstanding to this point.”

— Adam Scheier, Special Teams Coordinator

“Play smart, play fast, play physical, finish. If we do that, then we'll have an impact on the game. That's the deal: you want to impact the game. You do that with field position.”

— Adam Scheier, Special Teams Coordinator

What’s next

Florida State will hold its first spring scrimmage on Saturday morning, giving Scheier and the coaching staff their first chance to evaluate the special teams unit in a game-like setting.

The takeaway

Improving the special teams unit will be a critical priority for Florida State this offseason, as the Seminoles look to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 campaign. With Norvell's emphasis on special teams and the hiring of the experienced Scheier, the Seminoles are poised to make significant strides in this area and positively impact the overall success of the team in 2026.