Colleges

Seminoles can't get coordinator deal done

Florida State coach Bobby Bowden's search for an offensive coordinator got more complicated

By BRIAN LANDMAN
Published January 7, 2007

Florida State coach Bobby Bowden's search for an offensive coordinator got more complicated and protracted when he announced late Saturday that he pulled an offer to LSU's Jimbo Fisher after extensive negotiations failed to produce a deal.

"Florida State will move forward to pursue other options among a number of outstanding coaches who want to share in FSU's traditions and values," Bowden said in a statement. "Coach Fisher will be a benefit to whatever organization he ends up with and we will secure the best coach available to lead our offense."

Possibilities include Kevin Rogers quarterbacks coach with the Minnesota Vikings, Larry Fedora (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach with Oklahoma State) and Chris Hatcher (head coach of Valdosta State).

FLUELLEN STAYS: FSU defensive tackle Andre Fluellen, who had been leaning toward declaring for the NFL draft, said Saturday that he will be back for his senior season.

"I was pretty much set on leaving, to be honest," he said, adding that linebacker Lawrence Timmons' decision to bolt and linebackers coach Kevin Steele's unexpected move to Alabama as the defensive coordinator only "solidified" that in his mind.

But then he heard back from the NFL that he was projected as a third- or fourth-round pick and, though confident he could have improved that position at the combine or individual workouts, he changed his mind.

"I thought I might be short-changing myself if I left," said Fluellen, whose veteran leadership will be key with the graduation of linebacker Buster Davis. (He also needs just two more classes to earn his degree.) "I don't think it's my time."

USF gets commitment from DeLand LB

Calvin Sutton Jr., a 6-foot, 215-pound linebacker from DeLand, committed to USF on Friday night. He also had offers from Auburn and Mississippi.

Sutton, a three-star recruit according to both major recruiting Web sites, had 161 tackles as a senior at DeLand, and had 19 sacks as a junior when used more on blitzes. He played his freshman year at Freedom High in Tampa before moving to DeLand. His godfather is former Florida and Bucs star Errict Rhett.

"I don't want to leave Florida, and I've played football in Tampa and know how much their fans love football," said Sutton, who will make an official visit to USF next weekend.

Sutton is the first high school linebacker to commit to the Bulls this season. Former Plant linebacker Donte Spires is expected to transfer to USF next summer after spending this season at Pearl River Community College in Mississippi, and former Riverview star Tyrone McKenzie is transferring from Iowa State this month and seeking a hardship waiver that would allow him to play this fall.

Times staff writer Greg Auman contributed to this report.

[Last modified January 7, 2007, 00:46:01]