PENSACOLA — Mike Norvell begins his spring booster tour on the road on Monday, bringing offensive lineman Darius Washington and cornerback AZ Thomas with him as he meets Florida State fans.

Below are highlights of what Norvell said:

More fun to do this type of event coming off the season you just had?

"It's obviously exciting to be around our fanbase. A lot of momentum around the program coming off of a 10-win season. There's a great group of players that are coming back that have been able to attract a really good group of newcomers. Kind of just to be able to share some of the steps that have been taken. Some of the experiences that we've had to go through, it's good to see those positive things, that they're in place. And then you go around the fanbase, there is a lot of excitement around our program. To have these events and to be able to have those interactions, it's definitely a good feeling here in February to get all that kicked off."

Azareye'h Thomas and Darius Washington (two local players) came with you to this event. How nice is it to have some locals here and letting them interact with the fanbase?

"It's great. For guys like Darius, who has been around the program for a long time and has been such a weapon for us in his versatility, in all he can do. He's done so many great things and so to be able to bring him back home and to be able to share a little bit about those experiences and mix and mingle with different boosters and different opportunities to relationship build and share his story. Azareye'h, who is here at the front end of his career and has already been able to do some really good things as a true freshman, his growth, his development and the overall experience. It's good to have two guys that are at different stages within their career and their timeline here at Florida State. Both those experiences are great to be able to share. For those guys to be able to represent the program, not only are they great players on the field but who they are off the field is something I'm really proud of."

How important is keeping these booster tour events even as college football keeps evolving?"

I love being around our fanbase. I love being around our supporters. It takes everybody for our program to continue to push and continue to grow the way we want it to. For me, I want everybody to be a part of that process, too. Anybody can get on and (say), 'Watch me, watch games,' and do that. But It's another thing when you get to have those face-to-face interactions, to build the relationships, for me to feel and see the excitement. Really, it's just what our program means to so many. That's one of the things that is great about having players here is they come back into their home area, they're going to meet new people. They're going to get the chance to see people that are supporting them that they might not have that previous relationship with. I think it's always important to understand who you represent, what our program means to others and the responsibility that we have. This is something that I take a great deal of pride in. I enjoy being able to get out into the community and to be able to have events like this to be able to share a little bit more in-depth of what we're doing and some of the steps that are going on within the program."

Can booster events like this help build recruiting base as well?

"I think this is probably not as much recruiting focused as it is an opportunity to build relationships. I want people to speak victory over our program. If it means that people within a community are going to get to know a little bit more about the process of what we're doing and how we're doing it, if that means more people around Pensacola are talking about the great things that are happening at Florida State, some of the processes that go behind that, a sense of the culture, that's a good thing for us. Because it's going to stretch into the community, into the high schools, around those families. I think that's a good message to be able to share, but this isn't as much a recruiting focus so much as it is relationship building and the investment into that.

"How does the number of returning players you have speak to the culture you have built within the program?

"It just shows how much our guys care. These guys had opportunities to go and start their professional careers, but they believe in who they get to be a part of this program with. They believe in the players. They believe in the coaches. They know that they're going to continue to get developed and get pushed. That's one of the things that gives me a great deal of pride, but also a great deal of excitement because they know it's hard. We push and these guys embrace that process for their own growth, but also they want to do something special with these guys that they're in that locker room with. We had some guys that if you would have asked throughout the season if they would be coming back, I knew the opportunities they would have ahead, but they really enjoy being a part of this program. They really enjoy who they get to do it with. When you talk to them, that expectation of improvement, that expectation of growth, that's all I can ask of them. For each of them individually, collectively as a team, that's what I want to see. I want to see us continue to get better on the path that we're on. If we do that and show up and work the way I know our guys are capable of working, we continue to build upon the culture that we have established, I've got a lot of confidence in what we'll be able to do. But it does speak wonders to who those guys, how much this program means to them and how much they enjoy being a part of it."

How would the pending legislation which would allow schools to get involved with NIL benefit how FSU operates in the NIL age?

"I know a lot of our players, the majority of our players have benefitted from NIL. When you're part of a program like Florida State, the great fanbase, the brand, the exposure that they get, it does open up a lot of doors for these players. They've been able to capitalize on those opportunities. Now with the steps in legislature that are taking place, that's going to probably allow a little bit more openness with at least being able to have some discussions that previously we weren't able to have or didn't have those opportunities. It's probably not going to change a ton, but as everything progresses, it's good to see progression. I'm sure that will get a little bit further along once we get a full understanding of all the things that are there because you still have your NCAA rules and regulations. But within our own state, being able to have that openness, I think is going to be good."

How did contract extension talks go, what was positive about that outcome of extension through 2029?

"I'm grateful for the opportunity. I've always been grateful for the opportunity to lead this program from the first day that I came here as we've gone through these first few years. The belief in what we're doing and how we're doing it. The growth that you've seen in all areas, on the field, off the field, how our guys are representing Florida State. The support from the president, the board of trustees, Michael Alford as athletic director, in all places. That is something that I'm honored to have that opportunity and I'm grateful for the support that they've given and the belief that they've shown in not just where we are but where we're going. I don't get a whole lot into the negotiation part, but it was important to me that the administration knew this is where I wanted to be. When you look at the longevity of the extension, that was something that I desired because I really love it here. I love being in Tallahassee. I love representing Florida State. I love the potential of where we're going and what that's going to mean. When I came here, it wasn't just for a quick fix. We wanted to do this the right way and I believe that we have. It's been a real journey. It's been a real process. There's been good and there's bad, but the foundation is something that I never lost focus on. Making sure that as we set and establish that the right way so that as we have experienced some success, now it's about building upon that and being able to sustain that and grow to the elite level to where this program ultimately needs to be. Like I said, I'm grateful for the administration for seeing that growth, believing in those steps and knowing what's ahead with what we're doing."

Do you have to remind the unexpected returning guys why they came back or are they self-focused?

"I'm very transparent in that process. I try to gather information for guys as they're going through that decision-making process. That's all I do is present them the information of these are the opportunities from all that I can help them understand that would be ahead. But there's no doubt the opportunity if they come back: It''s coming down to work. It's coming down to improvement. It's coming down to their growth and development so that they can be the best that they can possibly be. There's no shortcut to that. When they decide to come back, I basically promise them that it's going to be the hardest thing they've ever done because I'm going to push them to a higher level because I have more time with them. I tell players all the time I'm going to give them the best that I have and push them to all the things I know they can do, but with each day that goes on, my expectations continue to grow for them. Because I want to see that improvement, I want to see that growth, I want to see that leadership in all areas. Probably the thing that I've been most pleased with in the course of the first month of our winter program is our best players, you are seeing them work to the highest level that I've seen them work. Because they do have confidence, they have confidence in expectation, that leadership where it's not just me holding the standard, saying this is what it needs to be. They are trying to push themselves and hold other teammates accountable to that. We've got I think 18, 19 newcomers that have joined the program, 10 high-school players and nine transfers. Helping those guys get acclimated, we have a really good group of guys that have come into the program. You see that really from all sides, but I think we're having a great start to our winter program. We've got to do a great job of it as we're transitioning to having two Tour of Duty workouts a week rather than just one for the first four (weeks). Now, it's really going to accelerate that process as we go up to spring ball and then once we hit spring practice, it's going to carry that for those 15 practices, making sure that we get all the things done and accomplished that we need throughout the spring semester. I've been really pleased with the mindset and the work because they knew the expectation, but I see them applying that in what they're trying to do. It doesn't take a whole lot of reminders."

How have the newcomers done in Tour of Duty, especially the transfers?

"I think it’s a shock to everybody. We try to tell them in the recruiting process, how we operate, what we do, the things that they can expect. But until you go through it, you don’t really know. But I think the guys have done a remarkable job. You get the initial shock of it and then ultimately it’s about getting better. I don’t expect any of them to come in and be a finished product. Those guys have done a really good job. A lot of them have come in shape, have continued to grow and develop in a very short period of time since they’ve been here. What I like is I see their confidence growing, I see the camaraderie that they have with each other, just how they’re jumping into this team and this culture, really trusting that process for them to improve each time that they get out there on the field. We meet tomorrow morning, we’ll be out there 6 o’clock in the morning and we need that to be the best one yet. I think our guys are understanding that expectation as each day that goes by."

Did you do anything like Tour of Duty when you were at Central Arkansas?

"We had workouts but nothing like this. I’ve said this before but when I got into Division I coaching, I was working under Todd Graham. Coach Graham used to be the coach at Allen High School. He actually brought his staff to Florida State and spent a week watching mat drills. That’s where he took — with coach Andrews and coach Gladden, that group — he brought that mat drill circuit to Allen High School. Whenever he got to the college game, that’s what we did. We’ve adjusted a few things just throughtout the years to fit the things that we do. We brought it back home. That’s where it was so very successful for all those years, just building that mentality, that toughness. It’s one of my favorite things. Coach Andrews has an open invitation. Him, coach Gladden. They’ve come out to a handful of them so far. They’re looking for the same thing. They’re looking for that steady improvement, the efficiency in how we move, the discipline in how we operate. You always love when those guys come out and get their perspective."

With the three junior days in January, do you see a different level of interest and also have more time built up with these prospects?

"It’s really two-fold. Yes, there’s a lot of excitement about the program. Kids, they’re wanting to get on campus. But on the flip side of it, now this is the first full cycle where we were able to get out and a lot of those guys are going into their senior years while we were able to be on campus during their junior year. And so they were able to see our coaches as coaches were coming by. … This is the first full cycle for us where you see basically from somebody’s junior year to going into their senior year and now, they know, when they’re on a workout and it’s in January, and you have a coach coming in, and you are starting to familiarize yourself with the school, the person and building those relationships throughout. Now getting on campus and having that full experience. A lot of those guys came to games during the fall. It’s a fun part of the process for us because, whether it’s relationships with high school coaches, getting these kids throughout their high school careers and just excitement around the program and what things that were talked about earlier, we’re seeing them play out. We’ve had a really good group of guys that have been on campus in December and January, obviously that carry over is going to be big for us in March all the way through spring ball. Looking forward to that."

How beneficial is it for Brock Glenn having time with older quarterbacks as an early enrollee?

"It’s great. When you have that leadership there. Jordan, he’s been through so much. He’s done so much. He is the head of that room. But you also have Tate, who has had multiple years. He’s had the different experiences from being thrown out there as a true freshman probably before he was ready to have to do that. But you also see his progression and growth. And then obviously AJ having last year. To have that group to bring Brock along, he’s hit the ground running. He’s doing a wonderful job in the meetings, in the workouts. He’s tough. He’s athletic. He’s doing the things that we want from him. We’ll get to the football part of it once we get started with practice. When it comes to the mental part, he had a really good foundation coming in but I think he’s doing a really nice job here as we are getting kick-started."

What does Patrick Surtain bring to the program?

"Pat’s great. It always goes back to relationships. That was one of the few places when I first got the job here in that first January (2020). We had a previous relationship with a couple acquaintances that had known of him. There had been a couple of his players that had come up to a previous stop when I was at Memphis. I knew of him. Obviously when I came here, was able to build a relationship, whether it was there in person, we talked on the phone multiple times when he was the head coach at American Heritage. And then obviously got the opportunity to be in the National Football League. When we had the opportunity, it was not something that I knew where his interest would be. But I knew as a man, as a developer, obviously the knowledge of the game, who he was, just from the beginning, I thought this could have a chance to be a really special fit. Obviously, the first phone call, it was something he was really excited about. For a lot of the reasons he’s already shared with the media, to be able to make an impact. You feel that from the day that he stepped foot on campus. As we went through the interview process and just getting to know more about the situation, him being able to ask questions, the confirmation that this was the right fit and the right man for the job. I think it’s been an absolute home run. The technical aspect of the game — he’s a great teacher. His knowledge, personal knowledge, him as a coach, as a leader. He’s been a head coach. He’s learned how to work with a lot of different personalities. His personal experiences and things that he’s learned throughout the years and been able to implement you feel the players and how they are embracing the things that he is asking them to do. But it still comes down to the relationship. And I think that’s the greatest quality that he has — he is a wonderful man. He is a developer of talent but also a developer of men."

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