Making the Case: 10 reasons why FSU needs a separate football facility
As Warchant first reported in February and other media outlets have since followed up, the next big initiative on tap for the Florida State athletics department is considering head coach Jimbo Fisher's vision for construction of a standalone football facility.
According to Fisher, the facility would serve several purposes, primarily alleviating overcrowding in the Moore Athletics Center and improving efficiency throughout the entire program. As he enters his eighth season as head coach, Fisher says the proposed facility is not a luxury item -- he insists it will be necessary to keep the Seminoles competitive with the nation's elite powers.
“It’s a needed thing to have success in the future,” Fisher said. “Those things are needed for the success of our program, our kids, our development of our kids, so we can continue to have success.”
While some initially perceived the concept as an attempt to "keep up with the Joneses" following the construction of similar facilities at Clemson and elsewhere, Fisher is adamant that is a very small part of the equation. He argues the facility is every bit as vital from a practical standpoint as were the Indoor Practice Facility and the new student-athlete dorms.
In a recent interview with Warchant.com, Fisher said it all comes down to player development. Because very few players are redshirted anymore -- and many others look to leave for the NFL after three years -- programs no longer can afford to wait two or three seasons for players to contribute. The best football teams, he said, are the ones who can recruit the best players and then prepare them the quickest.
“You’ve got to develop players at a higher rate and pace than you ever have,” Fisher said. “And having the facilities in place to do that is crucial.”
Fisher bristles at the notion this is a "want" more than a "need."
“When we asked for the indoor (facility), it was badly needed for success,” Fisher said. “Where we’re living (in the new dorms) was badly needed for recruiting and success. That new building will be for success.”
Fisher said FSU already has architects working on possible locations and logistics for the facility. But many questions remain:
What are the possible site locations? Could the Moore Center be retrofitted instead of building a new facility? What about the renovations FSU did in 2014, building a new players' lounge and improving other parts of the football offices? Are those improvements already obsolete?
Through interviews with Fisher and other sources inside the FSU football program, Warchant is taking a closer look at the entire concept. We will present those findings in a three-part series:
* Today, we look at 10 key reasons why the facility is needed;
* On Tuesday, we'll take a closer look at what other programs around the country are doing;
* On Wednesday, we'll examine where a new FSU football facility might be located and the challenges the Seminoles face before making it a reality.
Ten reasons why FSU needs a new standalone football facility
Note: The issues are listed numerically for organizational purposes, not in order of importance:
1. Current facility does not have enough offices or meeting rooms
Although FSU's football team has nine position groups, plus special teams, the Seminoles currently have just eight position rooms. That means the quarterbacks are left without a room and typically have to use the offensive coaching staff's meeting room when it is available. The scout team also does not have a meeting room, which is problematic before practices when those players need to meet as a group instead of with their positions.
As college football teams continue adding support staff -- quality control assistants, analysts, etc. -- the need for space is far greater than it was when the Moore Center was constructed. Those support staff members now typically have to share the offices of the position coaches they work with.
Mario Edwards Sr., who is FSU's director of player development, has never had his own office since he was hired five years ago. And college football staffs will be adding a 10th assistant coach in January; FSU has no office for that coach.
“We’re going to be deficient,” Fisher said.
2. More space needed for team meetings
FSU's primary team meeting room, which is located on the second floor of the Moore Center, does not have enough seats for the entire team and staff to sit as a group. Whenever the entire team meets, several support staff members and/or assistant coaches are either standing in the aisles or sitting on the floor.
You must be a member to read the full article. Subscribe now for instant access to all premium content.
-
Members-only forums
-
Predict prospect commits with FanFutureCast
-
Exclusive highlights and interviews
-
Exclusive coverage of Rivals Camp Series
-
Breaking recruiting news