Florida State Brings Back Alum Jeff Purinton as Athletic Director

Purinton returns to Tallahassee

Florida State is set to hire Jeff Purinton as its new athletic director. An official announcement is expected later on Monday. The school had an opening at the top of its athletic department after firing previous athletic director Michael Alford in September.

Purinton has deep ties to the Florida State program as a former alumnus. He previously spent more than ten years working at the university when Bobby Bowden was the head coach of the football team.

Strong background in college athletics

After his time in Tallahassee, Purinton spent more than ten years at Alabama working alongside head coach Nick Saban. During his time with the Crimson Tide, he moved up the ranks to become the executive deputy director of athletics.

Purinton left Alabama to become the athletic director at Arkansas State in 2022. He stayed in that role until 2025, when he departed to take a job as executive vice president at Learfield.

When Alford was let go in September, Florida State president Richard McCullough made it clear what he wanted in a replacement. McCullough stated that he wanted an athletic director who could help modernize the athletic department and focus on increasing revenue generation.

Next steps for Seminoles football

With the athletic director position filled, Florida State can now shift its complete attention to hiring a permanent head football coach. The school fired Mike Norvell last week after a 3-5 start to the season. Norvell had spent seven years leading the program.

Rick Stockstill, another alumnus from the Bobby Bowden era, is currently filling in as the interim head coach. Stockstill got off to a positive start on Saturday, guiding Florida State to a victory over Boston College. That result was the program's first road win in nearly three years.

What it means for the next game

Florida State Seminoles at Pittsburgh Panthers (College Football, Sat, 14 Nov): Pittsburgh Panthers win 55%, Florida State Seminoles win 45%; projected score Pittsburgh Panthers 30, Florida State Seminoles 25. Our safest pick: Pitt +6.5.