College football is ruthless. One season, you’re on top of the world. The next, you’re fighting for scraps, watching your empire crumble before your eyes. Just ask Mike Norvell. The man led Florida State to an undefeated 2023 campaign, only to watch his team nosedive to 2-10 in 2024, hitting rock bottom in the ACC. Half his coaching staff got axed, the program turned into a full-blown disaster, and suddenly, Norvell went from genius to scapegoat.
And just when it looked like things couldn’t get worse for Florida State, Brian Kelly swooped in like a vulture circling a wounded animal. His target? Alex Atkins—the same offensive coordinator Florida State just kicked to the curb.
You might be thinking, Why would LSU be celebrating a coach from a two-win disaster? Well, let’s break it down.
LSU Sees Gold Where Florida State Saw a Scapegoat
LSU insider Matt Moscona didn’t sugarcoat it on his January 30th podcast.
“Yeah, Atkins just got fired by Florida State. And you might ask, ‘Wait, the guy from a two-win team? Why is LSU so hyped about this hire?’ Well, let’s not forget—just a year ago, this man was running the offense for a 13-0 team that got robbed of a College Football Playoff spot.”
Translation? Atkins didn’t suddenly forget how to coach. One bad season doesn’t erase the work he put in, and if Florida State doesn’t want him, LSU will gladly take him.
Atkins isn’t just some random coach—he’s a recruiting powerhouse and a trench-warfare mastermind. His resume speaks for itself:
- UT-Martin (grad assistant)
- Marshall (offensive line coach)
- Georgia Southern (offensive line coach)
- Tulane (offensive line coach)
- Charlotte (offensive coordinator)
- Florida State (offensive coordinator)
Fun fact? LSU already had their eyes on Atkins back in 2021, but he stuck with FSU. Fast forward three years, and now he’s finally heading to Baton Rouge—this time, LSU isn’t letting him slip away.
For the numbers crowd, let’s put this into perspective:
- 2023 FSU Offense Under Atkins: 13-0 record, 401.6 yards per game (54th nationally), 34.6 points per game (18th nationally)
- 2024 FSU Offense Without Atkins: 2-10 record, 270.3 yards per game (132nd), 15.4 points per game (131st)
Coincidence? Nah. Florida State’s offense fell off a cliff, and Atkins took the blame. But LSU? They saw an opportunity. And the payoff came immediately.
The Solomon Thomas Heist—LSU’s Recruiting Jackpot
Here’s where things get spicy. Atkins’ value isn’t just about play-calling—it’s about flipping five-star recruits. And he didn’t waste any time proving that.
Enter Solomon Thomas—a five-star offensive lineman who had been locked in with Florida State since December 2023. Even when FSU was crumbling, Thomas stayed loyal. But the moment Atkins got fired? Thomas hit the reset button on his commitment.
And guess where he landed? LSU.
On National Signing Day, no less.
In a December 29th interview with Rivals, Thomas didn’t hold back:
“I went to a practice and asked my ex-coach at Florida State about LSU’s offensive line coach. He told me he’s a great dude on and off the field, and that’s always been a guy I wanted to play for.”
But then, he dropped the real bombshell:
“Atkins was like a father figure to me—a coach, a mentor, and someone I could talk to about the Bible. There was nobody like him. He was the reason I wanted to be at Florida State.”
Read that again. He was the reason I wanted to be at Florida State.
The moment Atkins got the boot, Thomas saw no reason to stay. And now? He’s wearing purple and gold.
Brian Kelly Just Flipped the Script on Florida State
LSU didn’t just hire a coach—they stole one of FSU’s best recruiters, snatched a five-star lineman, and sent a clear message: If Florida State doesn’t want its best talent, LSU will take it gladly.
And let’s be real—Solomon Thomas is just the beginning. With Atkins working his magic on the recruiting trail, more top-tier linemen will follow. LSU just secured a coach who players want to play for.
Meanwhile, Florida State is stuck in damage control, trying to convince recruits that everything is fine when, in reality, their program is looking shakier than ever.
Mike Norvell lost control. Brian Kelly took advantage. And LSU just came out on top.
