TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WGNS) - Florida State University named former Middle Tennessee State University head football coach Rick Stockstill interim head coach following the dismissal of Mike Norvell.

The leadership change carries significant weight throughout Rutherford County, where Stockstill served as the face of Blue Raider football across nearly two decades in Murfreesboro. Stockstill returned to his alma mater in January 2024 to serve as director of scouting for offense before university officials elevated him to the interim head coaching role.

Stockstill spent 18 seasons as head coach at Middle Tennessee, compiling a 113-111 record with 10 bowl appearances, one conference championship, and a signature upset over a nationally ranked Miami team in 2022. The university parted ways with Stockstill after the Blue Raiders finished 4-8 in 2023. Prior to his lengthy tenure in Murfreesboro, he worked as an assistant coach at Bethune-Cookman, UCF, Clemson, East Carolina, and South Carolina.

Before entering the collegiate coaching ranks, Stockstill played quarterback for Florida State from 1977 to 1981 under legendary head coach Bobby Bowden. He served as team captain in 1981 and earned induction into the FSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019.

Florida State holds a 3-5 record following a 36-24 loss to Clemson on Saturday (October 31st). Stockstill leads the Seminoles into Massachusetts this week to face Boston College for the first of their final two road games this season.