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FSU football coaching search: How can SMU defensive coordinator Scott Symons improve FSU
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- FSU football coaching search: How can SMU defensive coordinator Scott Symons improve FSU
The search for Florida State football's next defensive coordinator is underway.
Both FSU football head coach Mike Norvell and school athletic director Michael Alford have said they've received interest from coaches at both the NFL and college football level for roles on staff. The Seminoles fired offensive coordinator Alex Atkins, wide receivers coordinator Ron Dugans and defensive coordinator Adam Fuller following a 52-3 loss to Notre Dame.
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Norvell is looking to move quickly in his search for coordinators, even suggesting agreements could be made that allow potential hires to coach in conference championship games and potential playoff games before joining the staff.
With that in mind, there are some names to be aware of that could fit the Seminoles coaching staff next season. One defensive coordinator candidate to consider is a familiar one to Norvell, SMU defensive coordinator Scott Symons.
Here is what we know about Symons.
How is Scott Symons connected to Mike Norvell?
The pair are connected by their time at Memphis where Norvell hired Symons to his staff in 2018 as a linebackers coach. He spent one season with the Tigers before taking a defensive coordinator job at Liberty.
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He and Norvell spent a limited amount of time together, just one season, but in that year he helped Memphis linebacker Curtis Akins record 100 tackles. The Tigers' linebacker unit recorded a total of 354 tackles that season.
Symons has had success in multiple roles during his coaching career, starting as an assistant coach at Harding University in 2008 and making stops at Arkansas State, Arkansas Tech and West Georiga before landing at Memphis.
What defensive scheme does Scott Symons run?
Sep 28, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Ja'Khi Douglas (0) runs through Southern Methodist Mustangs safety Ahmaad Moses (3) and cornerback Jaelyn Davis-Robinson (13) during the first quarter at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Symons is a fast riser in the coaching world and he tends to run a multiple 3-4 defense.
He produced top defenses at Liberty before being hired at SMU in 2022. He turned the Mustangs into a top-25 defense in 2023 and has them on pace to do the same in 2024, turning the program around from being in the bottom half of the rankings when he took the job.
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Symons was named to the 2022 Dave Campbell's Texas Football 40 Under 40 List and he has the SMU defense ranking as one of the best defenses in the country in forcing turnovers. The Mustangs have recorded 20 turnovers, with 16 interceptions and four fumbles this year.
Why hire Symons, how does he fit with Norvell's Seminoles ?
Sep 28, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs safety Brandon Crossley (1) tackles DUPLICATE***Florida State Seminoles defensive back Earl Little Jr. (0)***Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Ja'Khi Douglas (0) during the first quarter at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Hiring Symons makes sense for a few reasons.
One of the main reasons is Symons's ability to get his defense to force turnovers. The Seminoles have been the worst team in the country in forcing turnovers this season, with just three turnovers. Compare that to the 20 turnovers that SMU has forced, including five against FSU , Symons's defensive scheme would be a clear upgrade.
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He has worked with both safeties and linebackers during his career alongside being a defensive coordinator. That experience is an added benefit for the Seminoles, especially with the linebackers as FSU has struggled to get a huge impact from that position in recent seasons.
Symon's style of play would work well with the current crop of Seminoles, especially considering the youth FSU has defensively. It would allow him to build and more importantly, develop the young core into his image. Symons has proven to be successful at every stop, and he's currently a big reason why No. 15 SMU sits atop the ACC standings and has a shot at making the College Football Playoff.
How to watch FSU football vs. Charleston Southern
When: Saturday, Nov. 23, 1:30 p.m.
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Where: Doak Campbell Stadium | Tallahassee, Florida
Watch: ACC Network Extra
Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU coordinator search: SMU's Scott Symons a prime candidate for FSU
