Mike Norvell is pumped to have Gus Malzahn on Florida State’s staff, pointing out “the last time he was an offensive coordinator he did win a national championship.”

The Florida State coach was asked about the experience brought to the program by a guy like Malzahn, the former Auburn coach.

“I mean, having the opportunity to have coach Malzahn come and be a part of our staff, it was special,” Norvell told the media Wednesday at ACC Media Days. “It’s somebody that I’ve had a 20-year relationship with. All the respect in the world for the man, not just the coach.

“He’s somebody that infuses confidence in everybody around him because he knows what he wants to do. He knows what he wants it to look like. It’s the belief that he’s able to pour into others, for what it takes on that journey.”

In December, Malzahn left Central Florida after four seasons to become offensive coordinator at Florida State.

Malzahn was fired in 2020 after eight seasons at Auburn, which he coached to an SEC championship in 2013. He went 68-36 with the Tigers and 29-24 with the Knights, but just 4-8 last season.

The perspective Malzahn brings – Norvell said – is a huge asset.

“He’s been a very successful head football coach,” Norvell added. “The last time he was an offensive coordinator (at Auburn) he did win a national championship. To make the choice and decision he made to come to Florida State, I mean, that is the purpose. That is the reason.

“We have an opportunity here to really do something special, and I think that his focus is there on the offensive side of the ball, and he’s one of the best that have ever done it.”

Malzahn now joins the program that beat him in the national title after the 2013 season. Florida State beat Auburn 34-31 in the BCS national championship game.

Malzahn made his name as an offensive coordinator, spending time at Arkansas and Tulsa before Gene Chizik hired him at Auburn in 2009. Along with quarterback Cam Newton, he helped the Tigers to a 14-0 record and the BCS national championship in 2010.

He left Auburn after the 2011 season to become head coach at Arkansas State, whom he led to a 9-3 record in one season. After Chizik was fired after the 2012 season, Malzahn returned as head coach.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.