SportsCollege SportsFSU

Actions

FSU head football coach tests positive for COVID-19

Posted at 2:33 PM, Sep 19, 2020
and last updated 2020-09-21 09:13:05-04

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Florida State head football coach Mike Norvell is in quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19.

Norvell's positive result came after two negative test results earlier in the week.

In a statement released by FSU Norvell said his positive test result surprised him, but that the football program has plans in place in case of a positive result among anyone in the program.

Deputy head coach Chris Thomsen will handle in-person coaching duties while Norvell is in quarantine.

Norvell said he will remain as involved as possible while working remotely and is grateful "to the administration, players, and staff for their commitment to the protocols we have in place, which have helped us limit contact with others and allowed us to continue moving forward."

FSUs athletic director, David Coburn released the following statement regarding Norvell's positive test result:

"This is unfortunate, but luckily Coach is feeling fine. We are proceeding with our COVID protocols as we would with any other case. Coach is isolated, and university tracing staff is handling the contact tracing as they normally do. We will continue to test staff and student-athletes as we have been. We have communicated with Commissioner John Swofford and Miami Athletics Director Blake James. At this point, based on our testing this week, we have no reason to believe that the Miami game is in jeopardy."

Chris Thomsen has 24 years of collegiate coaching experience. He was the head coach at Abilene Christian from 2005-11, leading the Wildcats to a 51-21 record and six straight trips to the Division II playoffs.

Prior to his arrival, the Wildcats had never played in the Division II playoffs and had not won a conference championship since 1977.

He was a four-time Lone Star Conference Coach of the Year and led ACU to Lone Star Conference championships in 2008 and 2010, winning 11 games both seasons. His full bio can be found