Florida State interim coach Rick Stockstill said Monday he is going to give his alma mater "everything I have" to finish the season strong.
Stockstill, who takes over for Mike Norvell, played quarterback under Bobby Bowden at Florida State from 1977-81. He came back to Florida State in 2024 as director of scouting for offense after 18 seasons as Middle Tennessee head coach.
During his first comments since he was elevated to interim coach, Stockstill said he had missed coaching while he worked in the scouting department for the Seminoles. His main goal is to get the players to play with the heart and passion that he and his teammates have for the school that helped shape them.
Florida State has four regular-season games remaining, starting Saturday at Boston College.
"There's a part of our heart, a part of our soul on that field out there and I want our players to go out there and understand the responsibility that they have and what they represent," Stockstill said. "A lot of people have sacrificed a lot to make this program what it is.
"I'm going to bust my tail to give this program everything I have to make Coach Bowden and all the former players and our leadership proud of Florida State football."
Norvell was fired in his seventh season after a 3-5 start to the season. He hired Stockstill after a successful run at Middle Tennessee that took the Blue Raiders to 10 bowl appearances.
Florida State is 10-22 since 2024, but Stockstill said he did not think the program was that far away from winning again.
"I know people may disagree. It's not broke," Stockstill said. "We got some dents in it we got to get fixed. But I really truly believe, and I'm not saying this because of my love for Florida State, but Florida State is close. We're close, and we're going to get there. But it's going to take everybody pulling the rope in the same direction."