Kirk Herbstreit Sees Big Things Ahead for FSU Football Under New AD

Kirk Herbstreit believes Florida State got its athletic director hire right.

The ESPN college football analyst congratulated the Seminoles on hiring Vice President and Director of Athletics Jeff Purinton in a post on X, noting the influence legendary head coach Bobby Bowden and Associate Director of Athletics for Communications Rob Wilson had on him.

However, the endorsement comes with some history in Tallahassee, Florida.

Herbstreit drew backlash from Florida State fans in 2023 when he backed Alabama for the final College Football Playoff spot and defended the selection committee's decision to leave out the unbeaten ACC champions, and some of them still haven't forgiven the Ohio State alum.

Jeff Purinton's Florida State Roots

Herbstreit called Purinton "a great man and guy," saying he "grew up under the massive influence of the legendary Bobby Bowden and the great Rob Wilson." Purinton worked for Wilson early in his days as an assistant sports information director.

"Congratulations @FloridaState on hiring a great man and guy in Jeff Purinton who grew up under the massive influence of the legendary Bobby Bowden and the great Rob Wilson!
He understands the culture and will get the Noles back!
Congrats Jeff-good luck my man!!"

Congratulations @FloridaState on hiring a great man and guy in Jeff Purinton who grew up under the massive influence of the legendary Bobby Bowden and the great Rob Wilson!
He understands the culture and will get the Noles back!
Congrats Jeff-good luck my man!!

- Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) November 9, 2026

At his introductory press conference, Purinton said watching then-athletic director Dave Hart run the department helped him see a future in college athletics.

Purinton recalled collecting the now-nostalgic FSU-branded cups from the stands at Doak Campbell Stadium in the 1980s and using them as wagers in field goal contests with friends.

Decades later, he's back in Tallahassee, Florida, in the job he used to dream of having.

"That was my dream, to be the AD and to give back to a place that has meant so much to me," Purinton said.

Herbstreit Believes Purinton Can Get FSU Back on Track

Now Herbstreit is backing the man tasked with hiring Florida State's next head football coach. Purinton called the search an immediate priority, and that hire will be an early and likely the most important test of the program's near and distant future.

Herbstreit singled out Purinton's understanding of FSU's culture, and when asked on Tuesday what that means, Purinton pointed to a genuine and authentic person. As for how he'll evaluate candidates, Purinton said he'll look first at how their teams play and how hard they compete on the field.

His first and foremost goal, alongside steering Florida State football back in the right direction, is to improve academics and win championships across all sports.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/fsu as Kirk Herbstreit Sees Big Things Ahead for FSU Football Under New AD.