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Coley Knows Fisher's Plan

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By SCOTT CARTER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 22, 2008

TALLAHASSEE - James Coley had ample reason to stay in South Florida. He grew up a block from the Orange Bowl and returned home to become an offensive assistant with the Miami Dolphins in 2005. His wife, Kenia, is also expecting the couple's first child next month.

After spending two years on Nick Saban's staff with the Dolphins, Coley spent last season as offensive coordinator at Florida International, opting to remain near his family when Saban left after the 2006 season to become Alabama's coach. Still, when the opportunity to reunite with Florida State offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher surfaced, Coley couldn't resist. Coley worked as a graduate assistant under Fisher at LSU for two years before joining Saban in Miami.

"He was a big influence on me," Coley said Thursday. "I learned a lot from him. I went on and was with the Dolphins and stuff like that, but I always carried a lot of Jimbo in me. He demands a lot. It is easy to give a lot because of the type of person he is. He is demanding of himself."

Coley was introduced as FSU's new tight ends coach/recruiting coordinator on Thursday. He replaces John Lilly, who left recently to become tight ends coach at Georgia.

More than that, however, Coley is FSU's first coaching hire since Fisher was named Bobby Bowden's eventual successor in December. Fisher had a lot of input into the decision.

"He is a bright coach and up-and-coming in our business," Fisher said in a statement. "He has worked with me before and has knowledge of our offense, what we do and the specifics of it. He is a great recruiter and a great person who knows the state of Florida. He will be an asset to our staff."

In his only season at FIU, Coley made an impact on the fledgling program. In the first six games, FIU averaged 211.7 yards and 7.3 points; over the last six games, FIU averaged 327.7 yards and 22.8 points. At FSU, he inherits a position decimated by suspensions to start next season. But that wasn't going to stop him from returning to FSU, where he earned his undergraduate degree in 1997.

"This was a great deal for me to come up here and work for Coach Bowden and all the guys on this staff who have all the experience that they have," he said. "It was very special."

BATTER UP: The Noles finally play their baseball season opener today, hosting Duquesne in the first game of a three-game series. The opener is FSU's latest since 1980, Coach Mike Martin's first season leading the program.

"We need to play a game," Martin said. "I don't think I've ever been more anxious to start a season as I am this one. We've got a young ballclub and we want to see where we stand."

The Noles are coming off a 49-13 season in 2007, and they won their first ACC Atlantic Division title. FSU also advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the 30th consecutive season, but was knocked out of the postseason by losing twice to Mississippi State in the Tallahassee Regional.

FSU returns five position starters from last year's team, including All-America candidate Buster Posey at catcher. Senior pitcher Ryan Strauss, a Bloomingdale High product, is expected to be one of the Noles' top starters.

NOLE NUGGETS: Former FSU linebacker Geno Hayes, who left school after his junior season to enter the NFL draft, is at the league's scouting combine this week, along with former teammates Andre Fluellen, De'Cody Fagg and Letroy Guion. The state attorney's office recently dropped all three misdemeanor charges against Hayes for a Sept. 21 arrest that included him being subdued by a Taser. ... Senior pitcher Tiffany McDonald adorns the FSU softball media guide and is coming off a 17-win season, but she hasn't pitched in the Noles' first 11 games while serving an unspecified suspension.

FSU SHORTS

HONOR ROLL: Freshman shortstop Ashley Stager, a former Mitchell High standout, was named ACC Softball Player of the Week.

SOUND-BITE CENTRAL: "I thought we left the program in good shape. I thought the school wouldn't miss a beat." - Former Noles G Sam Cassell, on leaving FSU in 1993 after back-to-back trips to the Sweet 16. FSU has been to the NCAA Tournament one time since.

LOOK OUT FOR: FSU basketball signee Chris Singleton, a 6-foot-9 forward, will play in the McDonald's All-American Game on March 26 in Milwaukee. The game is on ESPN at 9:30 p.m.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Which longtime FSU coach who has a field named after them - football coach Bobby Bowden, baseball coach Mike Martin and softball coach JoAnne Graf - will retire first? To vote or monitor results, go to TBO.com, Keyword: Noles.

TBO.COM POLL: What's the greatest challenge facing new athletic director Randy Spetman? Restore academic integrity (42.2 percent); Revive football program (42.2); Address basketball program (11.1); Boost morale (4.5).

BLOG BONUS: As FSU continues to revamp its football program, redshirt junior RB Jamaal Edwards and OL Geoff Berniard are no longer on the roster. They probably won't be the last to leave. To read more of this blog post, go to TBO.com, Keyword: Noles.

Scott Carter

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