FSU football head coach Mike Norvell talks early signing day, 2025 recruiting class
FSU football head coach Mike Norvell talks early signing day, 2025 recruiting class
Mike Norvell has made another hire from Matt Rhule’s coaching staff in Nebraska.
On Saturday morning, Florida State football announced the hiring of Evan Cooper as the next safeties coach.
Cooper, a Miami native and American Heritage grad, brings over a decade of coaching experience at the FBS and NFL levels.
He will rejoin his defensive staff with defensive coordinator Tony White and defensive Line coach Terrance Knighton. He will work alongside DB coach Patrick Surtain Sr.
“I’m happy to have Evan Cooper joining our Nole Family,” Norvell said in FSU’s press release.
“It’s great to have another Dade County native back working in his home state. Our safeties will benefit from his experience and expertise, and he will be a tremendous collaborator with Tony White, Patrick Surtain, and the rest of our defensive staff to reestablish the dominant defense Florida State is known for. I’m incredibly excited for the future here at Florida State.”
Cooper served as the defensive passing game coordinator while coaching the secondary that has produced four All-Big 10 DBs.
Nebraska’s defense allowed only 6.1 yards per pass attempt, which ranked ninth lowest in the country and 15th in passing efficiency defense. This season, the Huskers held seven of their 12 opponents to less than 200 passing yards, two of which were under 100.
On the ground, Nebraska is the eighth in run defense, averaging 92. 9 rushing yards allowed. The Huskers were also ranked 11th in total defense and 13th in scoring defense.
All of which has been the weak point for FSU’s defense all year after a 2-10 season.
“I’m excited to join the Florida State football program,” Cooper said.
“FSU has an elite history among the best programs in college football, and I’m looking forward to working with Coach Norvell and the rest of the staff. I can’t wait to get started with our players and contribute to upholding the DBU legacy.”
Before he came to Nebraska, Cooper was the Carolina Panthers‘ cornerbacks coach and player evaluation director from 2020 to 2022.
In the 2021 season, the Panthers were the NFL’s second-best in total defense, with an average of 305.9 yards allowed per game. The Panthers were also ranked fourth in pass defense and fifth-lowest completion allowed.
Another place Cooper was Baylor (2017-2019), where he was part of the coaching staff that played in the Big Championship and the Sugar Bowl in 2017. During his time, he coached corners, safeties, and defensive line.
Cooper was also an assistant director of player personnel in Miami in 2015 and director of player personnel at Temple (2015-16), where he played all four years for the Owls before becoming a graduate assistant and director of external operations.
The Miami native began his career as a DB coach at Westminster Academy in Fort Lauderdale in 2011 and 2012.
FSU football’s current coaching staff
- Associate head coach: Odell Haggins
- Offensive coordinator: Gus Malzahn
- Quarterbacks: Tony Tokarz
- Running backs/recruiting coordinator: David Johnson
- Wide receivers: open
- Tight ends: Chris Thomsen
- Offensive line: open
- Defensive coordinator: Tony White
- Special teams coordinator, defensive ends: John Papuchis
- Defensive line: Terrance Knighton
- Defensive backs: Patrick Surtain Sr
- Safeties: Evan Cooper
FSU coaches who are no longer on staff
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
