11-year NFL veteran and long-time South Florida high school coach Patrick Surtain Sr. is our new defensive backs coach

Welcome, @psurtain23!!

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— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) January 18, 2023

TALLY NO-FLY ZONE

In a block-buster move for Seminoles, NFL veteran and legendary South Florida high school coach, Patrick Surtain Sr., is joining Mike Novell at Florida State University.

THE RESUME

Coach Surtain played eleven seasons in the NFL, dedicating seven years to the Dolphins after they drafted him in the second round of the 1998 NFL Draft, and four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs.

He was a two-time All-Pro and was selected to the Pro Bowl after the 2002, 2003 and 2004 seasons. In 2002, he was named NFL Alumni Association’s Defensive Back of the Year. For his career, he appeared in 163 games with 131 starts and recorded 547 tackles, including 435 solo stops, with 26.0 tackles for loss, 37 interceptions, eight forced fumbles and eight fumble recoveries. His 29 interceptions with the Dolphins are tied for fourth in franchise history.

Following the end of his playing days, his playmaking pedigree translated into a stellar six year run at American Heritage High School in Plantation, Florida, celebrating three state championships as their head coach. In 2020, he was named the High School Football America National Coach of the Year.

This block-buster move positions Norvell’s program much closer to leveraging control of the state’s coveted high school talent pipeline.

“He brings a wealth of playing and coaching experience at the highest levels and has prioritized genuine relationships and developing players on and off the field. Patrick was an elite NFL player for more than a decade and then earned remarkable success as a high school coach in South Florida before continuing his development as an NFL coach. I’m happy for our student-athletes who will receive top-notch skills instruction while also learning life lessons from Coach Surtain.”