Baseball
FSU baseball enjoyed an up and down year that would be considered a success for most schools. Florida State is not most schools though. At this point, FSU fans expect championships. They expect at least an ACC title, and really want a national championship. That being said, most fans are proud of this young squad. The Noles made it to the ACC Championship game and battled back to make it a game despite being blown out by rival Clemson. Florida State won the regional and nearly knocked the hated Gators out in the Super Regional. Runner-up in the ACC Tournament and being knocked out in the Super Regional by the #1 team in the country is not a bad year. It just stings more because of the teams that beat the Seminoles this year.
All of that said, FSU is bringing back a lot of firepower in 2017 and should be one of the favorites in all of college baseball. The Noles return their offensive core of Dylan Busby, Cal Raleigh, Jackson Lueck, and Taylor Walls. They also return all three starters from the UF series. Add in the veterans and recruits and this is a scary good team. Drew Mendoza, was expected to be drafted, but is instead coming to Florida State as well. Gotta love a guy that turns down millions to become a Nole! The lineup will be scary good, and all 3 starting pitchers from the Super Regional are coming back! John Sansone and Mike Compton are the only regulars that FSU is losing in 2017. Things are looking up for the Seminoles in 2017!
This could be 11's best shot yet to win a title. Many don't want to see Martin coach next year, but personally I do. I really want Martin to win that elusive title. This past season was Martin's 39th consecutive (every season at FSU) 40 win season. That is an absolutely incredible feat, that should continue the next two years. Martin has signed a contract extension through 2018.
FSU baseball enjoyed an up and down year that would be considered a success for most schools. Florida State is not most schools though. At this point, FSU fans expect championships. They expect at least an ACC title, and really want a national championship. That being said, most fans are proud of this young squad. The Noles made it to the ACC Championship game and battled back to make it a game despite being blown out by rival Clemson. Florida State won the regional and nearly knocked the hated Gators out in the Super Regional. Runner-up in the ACC Tournament and being knocked out in the Super Regional by the #1 team in the country is not a bad year. It just stings more because of the teams that beat the Seminoles this year.
All of that said, FSU is bringing back a lot of firepower in 2017 and should be one of the favorites in all of college baseball. The Noles return their offensive core of Dylan Busby, Cal Raleigh, Jackson Lueck, and Taylor Walls. They also return all three starters from the UF series. Add in the veterans and recruits and this is a scary good team. Drew Mendoza, was expected to be drafted, but is instead coming to Florida State as well. Gotta love a guy that turns down millions to become a Nole! The lineup will be scary good, and all 3 starting pitchers from the Super Regional are coming back! John Sansone and Mike Compton are the only regulars that FSU is losing in 2017. Things are looking up for the Seminoles in 2017!
This could be 11's best shot yet to win a title. Many don't want to see Martin coach next year, but personally I do. I really want Martin to win that elusive title. This past season was Martin's 39th consecutive (every season at FSU) 40 win season. That is an absolutely incredible feat, that should continue the next two years. Martin has signed a contract extension through 2018.
Basketball (Men's)
If the baseball team was up and down, then I have no words for the basketball team. It has reached its ceiling under Leonard Hamilton in my opinion and the teams don't even have the defensive qualities that used to be the trademark of Hamilton teams anymore. If he is not leading an incredible defensive squad, then Leonard Hamilton is useless as a basketball coach other than recruiting. His top recruiting class all went pro with XRM after a disappointing season too so.....
Hamilton may have dodged a bullet as Dwayne Bacon and Xavier Rathan Mayes decided to return to school after testing the NBA waters during the pre-draft process. Those two returning give the Seminoles a shot at making the NCAA Tournament. Miss that tournament and the calls for Hamilton's job will become deafening.
If the baseball team was up and down, then I have no words for the basketball team. It has reached its ceiling under Leonard Hamilton in my opinion and the teams don't even have the defensive qualities that used to be the trademark of Hamilton teams anymore. If he is not leading an incredible defensive squad, then Leonard Hamilton is useless as a basketball coach other than recruiting. His top recruiting class all went pro with XRM after a disappointing season too so.....
Hamilton may have dodged a bullet as Dwayne Bacon and Xavier Rathan Mayes decided to return to school after testing the NBA waters during the pre-draft process. Those two returning give the Seminoles a shot at making the NCAA Tournament. Miss that tournament and the calls for Hamilton's job will become deafening.
Basketball (Women's)
The women's basketball team has raised itself to the upper echelon in the ACC and become far more successful than the men. Head Coach Sue Semrau has built quite the program down here at Florida State. Her career record at Florida State is 337-225 for a winning percentage of 62.4%. Semrau has led the Noles to NCAA appearances in 10 of the last 11 seasons including a Sweet Sixteen appearance this past season. She was even named coach of the year in 2015.
It is obvious to see that Semrau has done a fantastic job leading the Noles recently, but how does that relate to any future success?
A 15-1 home record last year shows that the Seminoles have become very strong at defending their home court. The lone loss was to an elite Notre Dame squad and it was one of only 3 ACC losses. Those facts make it seem clear that the Seminoles will remain near the top of the ACC and remain a nationally elite program. The NCAA appearances in 10 of 11 seasons dont hurt and neither does Coach Sue. Add in the majority of the roster returning and the future is looking bright for the Seminoles Basketball on the Womens side.
Beach Volleyball
The Florida State Beach Volleyball team has been a national championship contender since the sport was added by the NCAA. This season was the 1st that sand volleyball was a full-fledged NCAA sport though. This May, FSU made it all the way back to the National Championship, before falling to Southern Cal. That loss was only the Seminoles 3rd loss on the entire season. Their 2nd loss was at the end of the winners bracket for that tournament, also to Southern Cal. Making it all the way to the finals is quite the accomplishment. The Seminoles will look to build on that for their next season.
Retaining their coach will certainly help in that crusade for a championship. 1st year coach Brooke Niles was so successful that she was recognized as the AVCA National Coach of the Year. Niles is married to FSU alum Nick Lucena who will represent Team USA in Rio (more on him on another day). Unfortunately for the Seminoles, their top duo of Julie Brown and Jace Pardon will no longer be with the team due to graduation. Next year, the Seminoles will have to find a new top team.
The women's basketball team has raised itself to the upper echelon in the ACC and become far more successful than the men. Head Coach Sue Semrau has built quite the program down here at Florida State. Her career record at Florida State is 337-225 for a winning percentage of 62.4%. Semrau has led the Noles to NCAA appearances in 10 of the last 11 seasons including a Sweet Sixteen appearance this past season. She was even named coach of the year in 2015.
It is obvious to see that Semrau has done a fantastic job leading the Noles recently, but how does that relate to any future success?
A 15-1 home record last year shows that the Seminoles have become very strong at defending their home court. The lone loss was to an elite Notre Dame squad and it was one of only 3 ACC losses. Those facts make it seem clear that the Seminoles will remain near the top of the ACC and remain a nationally elite program. The NCAA appearances in 10 of 11 seasons dont hurt and neither does Coach Sue. Add in the majority of the roster returning and the future is looking bright for the Seminoles Basketball on the Womens side.
Beach Volleyball
The Florida State Beach Volleyball team has been a national championship contender since the sport was added by the NCAA. This season was the 1st that sand volleyball was a full-fledged NCAA sport though. This May, FSU made it all the way back to the National Championship, before falling to Southern Cal. That loss was only the Seminoles 3rd loss on the entire season. Their 2nd loss was at the end of the winners bracket for that tournament, also to Southern Cal. Making it all the way to the finals is quite the accomplishment. The Seminoles will look to build on that for their next season.
Retaining their coach will certainly help in that crusade for a championship. 1st year coach Brooke Niles was so successful that she was recognized as the AVCA National Coach of the Year. Niles is married to FSU alum Nick Lucena who will represent Team USA in Rio (more on him on another day). Unfortunately for the Seminoles, their top duo of Julie Brown and Jace Pardon will no longer be with the team due to graduation. Next year, the Seminoles will have to find a new top team.
Cross Country (Men's)
The Seminoles men's cross country team is led by head track and field coach Bob Braman. This guy is arguably the best coach out of all of FSU athletics. It is hard to argue with his 3 National Championships in track. Heading into the 2015 season, Braman had made 11 NCAA Championship meet appearances with the Seminoles. Prior to him being hired, the Seminoles made only 1 title appearance.
This past season the Seminoles again made a championship appearance, but only finished 29th. That result though was an improvement over where they were in 2014. FSU's top runner was a junior in 2015, so he will look to help the Noles finish much higher in the 2016 season. Florida State was able to win the regional title for the 2015 season and will look to repeat that in 2016.
The Seminoles men's cross country team is led by head track and field coach Bob Braman. This guy is arguably the best coach out of all of FSU athletics. It is hard to argue with his 3 National Championships in track. Heading into the 2015 season, Braman had made 11 NCAA Championship meet appearances with the Seminoles. Prior to him being hired, the Seminoles made only 1 title appearance.
This past season the Seminoles again made a championship appearance, but only finished 29th. That result though was an improvement over where they were in 2014. FSU's top runner was a junior in 2015, so he will look to help the Noles finish much higher in the 2016 season. Florida State was able to win the regional title for the 2015 season and will look to repeat that in 2016.
Cross Country (Women's)
The Seminoles women's track team is led by Kelly Phillips. Phillips was in her 1st year at FSU this past season. FSU finished 4th in the region on the women's side and failed to make the NCAA Championship. With an incredibly young team this past season, it is almost guaranteed that FSU will improve on that finish and make the championship in 2016.
Football
Let's be honest, it took a long time for me to get to the sport that everyone cares about for Florida State athletics. I care about every sport though and wanted to do them in alphabetical order. That being said...
FSU football is a national power. The Seminoles have been nationally relevant since my birth and enjoyed numerous top 5 finishes and 3 national championships in that time. This team has been a football juggernaut. From 1987 to 2000 the team finished in the Top 5 an incredible 14 consecutive years. More recently, the Noles won 29 straight games from 2012-Jan 2015 and had back to back undefeated regular seasons in 2013 and 2014. All of this is not to mention a modern day draft record for most players selected from one school in a 3 year period. The Seminoles have had an incredible run.
Last year that run slowed a bit as the Seminoles finished 10-3. This record during a rebuilding year following all those draft picks came with its ups and downs. Among the ups were going wire to wire with national runner-up Clemson @ Clemson in a game the Seminoles easily could have won and dominating in state rival Florida. The downs were losses to lowly Georgia Tech and the bowl loss to Houston. Although the bowl loss was largely due to injuries at Quarterback and Tailback. The offense was carried (no pun intended) by runningback Dalvin Cook for the entire season. He dominated on the field despite a lingering hamstring issue all season. Cook broke the school single season rushing record during that incredible stretch and finished with 1691 for the season. The incredible playmaker returns for the Seminoles for the 2016-2017 season.
With Cook and the rest of the offense returning (Golson was the offensive player on the 2 deep that was a senior last season) the Seminoles are a playoff favorite for a lot of people this upcoming season. There are quite a few outlets that have the Seminoles winning the national championship this upcoming season. Many have Dalvin Cook and Derwin James as the top returning offensive and defensive players respectively. The Seminoles are loaded with talent and still coached by Jimbo Fisher. Fisher has won 83% of the games that he has coached. These are the Florida State Seminoles and they will be in the national championship picture.
The Seminoles women's track team is led by Kelly Phillips. Phillips was in her 1st year at FSU this past season. FSU finished 4th in the region on the women's side and failed to make the NCAA Championship. With an incredibly young team this past season, it is almost guaranteed that FSU will improve on that finish and make the championship in 2016.
Football
Let's be honest, it took a long time for me to get to the sport that everyone cares about for Florida State athletics. I care about every sport though and wanted to do them in alphabetical order. That being said...
FSU football is a national power. The Seminoles have been nationally relevant since my birth and enjoyed numerous top 5 finishes and 3 national championships in that time. This team has been a football juggernaut. From 1987 to 2000 the team finished in the Top 5 an incredible 14 consecutive years. More recently, the Noles won 29 straight games from 2012-Jan 2015 and had back to back undefeated regular seasons in 2013 and 2014. All of this is not to mention a modern day draft record for most players selected from one school in a 3 year period. The Seminoles have had an incredible run.
Last year that run slowed a bit as the Seminoles finished 10-3. This record during a rebuilding year following all those draft picks came with its ups and downs. Among the ups were going wire to wire with national runner-up Clemson @ Clemson in a game the Seminoles easily could have won and dominating in state rival Florida. The downs were losses to lowly Georgia Tech and the bowl loss to Houston. Although the bowl loss was largely due to injuries at Quarterback and Tailback. The offense was carried (no pun intended) by runningback Dalvin Cook for the entire season. He dominated on the field despite a lingering hamstring issue all season. Cook broke the school single season rushing record during that incredible stretch and finished with 1691 for the season. The incredible playmaker returns for the Seminoles for the 2016-2017 season.
Golf (Men's)
The FSU Golf team made tremendous strides this season and is officially nationally relevant. FSU spent nearly the entire year ranked in the Top 20 and ended up finishing 19th at the NCAA Championships. The team finished one stroke out of the top 15 cutline in that 19th place finish. Head Coach Trey Jones is encouraged by that finish and the underclassmen returning. The Noles look to improve in 2016.
The FSU Golf team made tremendous strides this season and is officially nationally relevant. FSU spent nearly the entire year ranked in the Top 20 and ended up finishing 19th at the NCAA Championships. The team finished one stroke out of the top 15 cutline in that 19th place finish. Head Coach Trey Jones is encouraged by that finish and the underclassmen returning. The Noles look to improve in 2016.
Golf (Women's)
FSU's women did even better than the men in golf. The team finished 15th at the NCAA Championships. That finish included a 2nd place finish in the NCAA Shoal Creek Regional to qualify for the NCAA finals. Coach Amy Bond has led the Seminoles to 6 consecutive NCAA Championship appearances. Those appearances bring the total current streak to 11 consecutive appearances (a school record). The Seminoles will look to make it 12 next year and perhaps bring home an NCAA title.
FSU's women did even better than the men in golf. The team finished 15th at the NCAA Championships. That finish included a 2nd place finish in the NCAA Shoal Creek Regional to qualify for the NCAA finals. Coach Amy Bond has led the Seminoles to 6 consecutive NCAA Championship appearances. Those appearances bring the total current streak to 11 consecutive appearances (a school record). The Seminoles will look to make it 12 next year and perhaps bring home an NCAA title.
Soccer
The FSU Soccer team had the most successful 2014 of any Seminole team. They are arguably the best team on campus and were looking to defend that National Championship in 2015. FSU finished play in 2015 with a loss in the College Cup seminfinals. While the Noles failed to repeat in 2015, it is rare that a team can make the final 4 in their sport multiple years in a row. The past three years, FSU finished with a 2nd place finish, a championship, and a 3rd place finish. Most teams would kill for those results. However, this program has become so strong that it expects to win a national championship each season. There is no doubt that the Seminoles will be in the thick of it. Coach Mark Krikorian has built the Seminoles into a machine that competes year in and year out for championships. Despite 3 top ten selections in the past draft, the Seminoles will likely be a major factor again for 2016.
The FSU Soccer team had the most successful 2014 of any Seminole team. They are arguably the best team on campus and were looking to defend that National Championship in 2015. FSU finished play in 2015 with a loss in the College Cup seminfinals. While the Noles failed to repeat in 2015, it is rare that a team can make the final 4 in their sport multiple years in a row. The past three years, FSU finished with a 2nd place finish, a championship, and a 3rd place finish. Most teams would kill for those results. However, this program has become so strong that it expects to win a national championship each season. There is no doubt that the Seminoles will be in the thick of it. Coach Mark Krikorian has built the Seminoles into a machine that competes year in and year out for championships. Despite 3 top ten selections in the past draft, the Seminoles will likely be a major factor again for 2016.
Softball
The Seminoles set a school record 459 runs this season on the way to advancing again to the Women's College World Series. It was there that the Seminoles advanced to the WCWS semifinals and were a series threat to win it all. Auburn was actually able to knock off the Noles in softball, which is quite different than the results in other sports. Head Coach Lonni Alameda has been ACC Coach of the Year for the past 4 seasons in leading the Seminoles to this unprecedented level of success. Almeda has led the Noles to 4 straight ACC regular season titles and 3 straight tournament titles. FSU has advanced to the WCWS in 2014 and 2016. The Seminoles return a stacked team for 2017 including superstar Jessica Warren among others.
The Seminoles set a school record 459 runs this season on the way to advancing again to the Women's College World Series. It was there that the Seminoles advanced to the WCWS semifinals and were a series threat to win it all. Auburn was actually able to knock off the Noles in softball, which is quite different than the results in other sports. Head Coach Lonni Alameda has been ACC Coach of the Year for the past 4 seasons in leading the Seminoles to this unprecedented level of success. Almeda has led the Noles to 4 straight ACC regular season titles and 3 straight tournament titles. FSU has advanced to the WCWS in 2014 and 2016. The Seminoles return a stacked team for 2017 including superstar Jessica Warren among others.
Swimming and Diving (Men's and Women's)
Frank Bradley led the Seminoles during the 2015-2016 season which is still technically going on as some former and current Seminoles look to qualify for the Olympics. However, there is no coach listed for the 2016-2017 season. One coach that does return though is diving coach John Proctor. Proctor was able to lead Dylan Grisell to a 7th place finish at the NCAA Championships. Grisell was the 1st All-American in that event in school history. Unfortunately, he will be leaving FSU as a graduated senior. There are multiple questions heading into the 2016-2017 season, but the number one question has to be who will take over duties as the swimming coach.
Tennis (Men's)
The Seminoles male tennis team was able to advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. It was during the second round that seniors Lock and Nunez fell and were eliminated from the tournament. Coach Dwayne Hultquist will look to have even more success with a new duo in 2017. The Seminoles were able to knock off a #1 team for the 1st time in school history in 2016. That success leaves reason for optimism despite FSU losing some seniors.
The Seminoles male tennis team was able to advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. It was during the second round that seniors Lock and Nunez fell and were eliminated from the tournament. Coach Dwayne Hultquist will look to have even more success with a new duo in 2017. The Seminoles were able to knock off a #1 team for the 1st time in school history in 2016. That success leaves reason for optimism despite FSU losing some seniors.
Tennis (Women's)
The lady Seminoles did not do quite as well as the mens team finishing ranked 63rd in the country. They also lose their top player from the past four seasons in Daneika Borthwick. She was able to reach the NCAA individual championships in her final season. There is still reason for optimism though as FSU returns their all-time winningest female tennis coach in Jennifer Hyde.
The lady Seminoles did not do quite as well as the mens team finishing ranked 63rd in the country. They also lose their top player from the past four seasons in Daneika Borthwick. She was able to reach the NCAA individual championships in her final season. There is still reason for optimism though as FSU returns their all-time winningest female tennis coach in Jennifer Hyde.
Track and Field (Men's)
Entering this season, FSU had finished 4th or better at the NCAAs 7 times in the last 11 seasons. That would not happen in 2016, but what did happen is the Noles continued to advance to the NCAA Finals and continued to earn points. With a young and talented team returning, it is quite possible that the Seminoles have another top 4 finish in 2016. They will look to win their 4th National Championship for the legendary Bob Braman (the 2007 championship was vacated due to the academic cheating scandal though, even when it didn't involve athletes that earned points). All of this year's success was without All-American Jalen Ramsey, who was selected 5th overall in the past NFL draft. The Seminoles will be back in a major way in 2017.
Entering this season, FSU had finished 4th or better at the NCAAs 7 times in the last 11 seasons. That would not happen in 2016, but what did happen is the Noles continued to advance to the NCAA Finals and continued to earn points. With a young and talented team returning, it is quite possible that the Seminoles have another top 4 finish in 2016. They will look to win their 4th National Championship for the legendary Bob Braman (the 2007 championship was vacated due to the academic cheating scandal though, even when it didn't involve athletes that earned points). All of this year's success was without All-American Jalen Ramsey, who was selected 5th overall in the past NFL draft. The Seminoles will be back in a major way in 2017.
Track and Field (Women's)
The Seminole women are also led by the legendary Braman, but have not enjoyed quite the same success. However, this team is still nationally prominent. Several women were able to advance to the NCAA Championships. With such a young team, the Seminoles look to make an even bigger impact in 2017. The FSU women are poised to have a decent shot at winning their 2nd national championship during either the indoor or outdoor season. FSU owns a national championship in 1984 indoor womens track and 1985 outdoor womens track. Coach Braman is the perfect guy to try to lead them there. I heard field events coach, Dennis Nobles, isnt bad either.
The Seminole women are also led by the legendary Braman, but have not enjoyed quite the same success. However, this team is still nationally prominent. Several women were able to advance to the NCAA Championships. With such a young team, the Seminoles look to make an even bigger impact in 2017. The FSU women are poised to have a decent shot at winning their 2nd national championship during either the indoor or outdoor season. FSU owns a national championship in 1984 indoor womens track and 1985 outdoor womens track. Coach Braman is the perfect guy to try to lead them there. I heard field events coach, Dennis Nobles, isnt bad either.
Volleyball
Florida State has built up quite a name for themselves on the volleyball landscape since Chris Poole took over in 2008. Since 2009, Poole has led the Seminoles to the NCAA Tournament every season. The best of these seasons came in 2011 as the Seminoles reached the national semifinal. The current streak of 7 consecutive NCAA Tournament Appearances is a school record. Poole led the Seminoles to a 2nd round finish in 2015 behind some fantastic seniors. Those seniors, Carolina Dadowski, Laura Dadowski, Karlie Hauer, Mercedes Vaughn, and Nicole Walsh went 109-23 as Seminoles. That group only lost 2 games during their entire careers at Tully Gym. Just two losses at home! Absolutely incredible. Despite losing some crazy talent, I'd bet on the Seminoles to make another NCAA appearance in 2016, stretching the school record to 8 seasons. Poole's track record would have you believe nothing less. Heck, they already beat Auburn and Florida during the spring volleyball season.
I told you FSU owns Auburn.
I guess we will let them live in their alternate reality though....
Florida State has built up quite a name for themselves on the volleyball landscape since Chris Poole took over in 2008. Since 2009, Poole has led the Seminoles to the NCAA Tournament every season. The best of these seasons came in 2011 as the Seminoles reached the national semifinal. The current streak of 7 consecutive NCAA Tournament Appearances is a school record. Poole led the Seminoles to a 2nd round finish in 2015 behind some fantastic seniors. Those seniors, Carolina Dadowski, Laura Dadowski, Karlie Hauer, Mercedes Vaughn, and Nicole Walsh went 109-23 as Seminoles. That group only lost 2 games during their entire careers at Tully Gym. Just two losses at home! Absolutely incredible. Despite losing some crazy talent, I'd bet on the Seminoles to make another NCAA appearance in 2016, stretching the school record to 8 seasons. Poole's track record would have you believe nothing less. Heck, they already beat Auburn and Florida during the spring volleyball season.
I told you FSU owns Auburn.
I guess we will let them live in their alternate reality though....
-Noland
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