You always want your head coach to find assistants who want to go on to bigger and better jobs, which makes this move all the more perplexing. Florida State defensive backs coach T.J. Rushing is reportedly leaving to take the same job at Texas A&M:
Rushing, who followed new head coach Mike Norvell from Memphis, was hired December 28th, just over three weeks ago. Norvell had this to say about Rushing:
“Coach Rushing is one of the brightest minds and teachers in college football. His experience as an All-American in college to his playing career in the National Football League has prepared him well to mentor and develop our student-athletes at the highest level. Coach Rushing will bring a tremendous amount of passion and energy to every aspect of the program, not only on the field but also in recruiting the nation’s best and brightest to Florida State.”
Rushing was the Tigers’ defensive passing game coordinator and secondary coach in the 2018-2019 season. At this time it is unknown what Rushing’s salary at Florida State was, so it’s hard to know if he left for the Aggies for a substantial raise or for another reason. Rushing is originally from Oklahoma.
Potential replacements for Rushing include Marcus Woodson, who is currently with the Auburn Tigers as their secondary coach and was Memphis’ defensive backs coach from 2015-2016.
There is also Mike Treier, who was hired recently by Norvell as an off-field analyst but then promptly left to coach safeties in an on-field capacity at Colorado State.
Some fans will be clamoring for FSU alumnus Terrell Buckley, who was very recently hired by Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss after four years as the cornerbacks coach for Mississippi State.