Florida State didn’t waste any time getting Patrick Surtain Sr. on the recruiting path.
With a former NFL All-Professional defensive again now on the teaching employees, the Seminoles made positive to get Surtain in entrance of as many highschool prospects as doable.
“I bought right here three weeks in the past they usually put me on the street the subsequent day,” mentioned Surtain. “But it surely’s been enjoyable.”
It’s been a fast transition for the 46-year-old, who made the weird profession transfer of going from the NFL (Miami Dolphins defensive assistant) to turn out to be the Seminoles’ defensive backs coach.
Whereas it was a tricky resolution, Surtain believes it affords him a extra direct strategy with the gamers. That’s one thing he cherished from his time because the soccer coach at American Heritage Excessive in Plantation.
“In any occupation, your objective is to maneuver up,” he mentioned. “I had an excellent run at the highschool degree, however I needed to problem myself, so when the Dolphins referred to as, I assumed it was an ideal alternative. It was residence and I didn’t must uproot my household to go study on the highest degree.
“Once I bought the decision from Coach [Mike] Norvell, it was a tricky resolution, however I made a decision it gave me extra of a highschool really feel. I can have extra hands-on with the fellows. I can mould these guys into what they’re going to turn out to be and I’m trying ahead to the problem.”
Surtain performed 11 seasons within the NFL for the Dolphins (1998-2004) and the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (2005-08). Alongside the way in which, he turned accustomed to most of the coaches on the Seminoles’ employees, most of whom visited him at one time or one other whereas recruiting his highschool gamers.
“[Linebackers coach] Randy Shannon coached me with the Miami Dolphins,” mentioned Surtain. “I do know [running backs] Coach Dave Johnson as a result of I’m initially from New Orleans and he performed in New Orleans. I performed towards [receivers coach] Ron Dugans. I do know [defensive tackles] Coach Odell [Haggins]. I do know [director of player relations Keiwan [Ratliff] … I used to be accustomed to numerous guys on the employees and that made the transition a lot simpler.”
When trying again on the efficiency of the Seminoles’ secondary in 2022, Surtain desires the group, ranked fourth within the nation in cross protection, to do much more.
“We need to do extra this yr and take the ball away,” he mentioned. “Being round soccer for a very long time, for those who’re in a position to win the turnover battle, you will have an excellent probability of successful virtually 85% of your video games. So regardless that we held groups to 165 passing yards a sport, the subsequent step could be taking the ball away and giving it to our explosive offense.”
Whereas Florida State completed with a optimistic turnover margin (plus-2) for the primary time since 2016, its 8 interceptions ranked close to the underside half of the ACC.
Surtain advantages from being accountable for an skilled unit that returns 5 starters in cornerbacks Kevin Knowles II, Jarrian Jones and Renardo Inexperienced and safeties Shyheim Brown and Akeem Dent. Omarion Cooper, Grasping Vance, Azareye’h Thomas and switch Fentrell Cypress additionally determine to play massive roles within the secondary.
How Surtain plans to create an emphasis on takeaways is with follow.
“We've got sort out turnover circuit every day in follow,” he mentioned. “You’re punching the ball out and getting 11 hats to the ball. Don’t loaf as a result of for those who loaf on a cross, you may miss a tip or an overthrow. My objective is to get the fellows to run to the ball on every play. Whenever you run to the ball on protection, good issues occur.
“The interception a part of it's having guys play the ball higher and getting their arms round the place they have to be. It’s going to be a piece in progress, however now we have a gaggle of fellows to get it performed.”
Whereas Surtain is accustomed to the recruiting course of, having handled it as a highschool coach and as a father of a participant who would go on to turn out to be an All-Professional defensive again, he understands the problem of recruiting at a program with the repute of Florida State.
“If we’re going to get Florida State again to the place it must be, we’ve bought to go get one of the best gamers within the nation irrespective of the place they're,” he mentioned. “Coach [Norvell] has taken heed to that and simply let me go get the fellows. It’s been a brand new expertise, nevertheless it’s been value it.”
This text first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. E-mail Matt Murschel at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com or observe him on Twitter at @osmattmurschel.
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