TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – First-year Florida State head coach Willie Taggart is embracing the history of the football program by bringing back a longtime assistant who served under the legendary Bobby Bowden.
Florida State announced Friday that former defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews will join the coaching staff as special assistant to the head coach.
"I am thrilled to add coach Andrews to our staff," Taggart said. "He brings a wealth of knowledge about Florida State's program as well as the style we will play on defense. Coach Andrews was the architect of some of the best defenses in college football history, and he helped build the FSU dynasty. Our student-athletes, coaches and staff will benefit from having him around our team every day."
Taggart has tried to restore some of the swagger of the dynasty era at FSU, bringing back several former stars and welcoming Bowden at practice and whenever he chooses to be around the program.
His latest move will no doubt further endear himself to FSU fans after a dismal 7-6 season in 2017 that culminated with former head coach Jimbo Fisher leaving to take the same job at Texas A&M.
Andrews was defensive coordinator for the final 26 years of Bowden's 34-year tenure, retiring after the 2009 season.
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The tradition of Chief Osceola planting a burning spear at midfield while riding his Appaloosa horse, Renegade, before every Florida State home game began in 1978. Conceived by Florida State alumnus Bill Durham, the pregame ritual of Osceola and Renegade is a reason for fans to get to their seats before kickoff. The tradition is so revered that the school fought the NCAA in 2005 after it added Florida State to a list of colleges whose sports teams used "hostile or abusive" Native American names and mascots.Arguably one of the most iconic scenes in all of college football, Clemson players rub "Howard's Rock" for good luck before they race down the hill and onto the field at Memorial Stadium before every home game.The ringing of the cowbells has become such a nuisance for visitors to Davis Wade Stadium that the Southeastern Conference banned artificial noisemakers until 2010, but it didn't deter Mississippi State fans from helping the Bulldogs with their greatest home-field advantage.Wisconsin players and fans have been bouncing up and down at Camp Randall Stadium since 1998, when the tradition of playing House of Pain's anthem "Jump Around" between the third and fourth quarter of every home game was born.Perhaps one of the greatest college football entrances can be seen at every Virginia Tech home game. The Hokies have been running out of the tunnel to "Enter Sandman" by heavy metal band Metallica since 2000. As the music begins, the Marching Virginians lead the stadium in jumping in place, which has become known as the "Blacksburg Bounce." Then it's "off to Never-Neverland" for Virginia Tech's opponents."Wooo Pig Sooie" is unmistakably Arkansas. There is an art to calling the hogs, so much so that it requires an illustration and step-by-step guide on the University of Arkansas website. The tradition dates to the 1920s, when some farmers started squealing like hogs to offer encouragement to a struggling Razorbacks team. It worked, and the tradition was born. The hog call became a registered trademark in 2014.The student body at Texas A&M represents the "12th Man," so the students stand during the entire game to show their support. Additionally, whenever the Aggies score, students kiss their dates. The NFL's Seattle Seahawks pay the school an $18,000 annual royalty for using the "12th Man" trademark."Take Me Home, Country Roads" has been performed before every West Virginia home football game since 1972. John Denver christened the new Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium by performing his hit song prior to the 1980 season opener. West Virginia players and fans sing it together after every win.The slogan "Play Like a Champion Today" is hand-painted in blue letters on a sign located in a stairwell between the home team locker room and the tunnel to the field of Notre Dame Stadium. It is a tradition for Notre Dame players to touch it on their way out of the locker room.Pulled by two white ponies named Boomer and Sooner, the Sooner Schooner became the official mascot at Oklahoma in 1980. The Sooners received a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct after the wagon wheels of the Sooner Schooner became stuck on the field in front of the opposing team's bench during a re-kick attempt in the 1985 Orange Bowl.
The tradition of Chief Osceola planting a burning spear at midfield while riding his Appaloosa horse, Renegade, before every Florida State home game began in 1978. Conceived by Florida State alumnus Bill Durham, the pregame ritual of Osceola and Renegade is a reason for fans to get to their seats before kickoff. The tradition is so revered that the school fought the NCAA in 2005 after it added Florida State to a list of colleges whose sports teams used "hostile or abusive" Native American names and mascots.
"I want to thank Coach Taggart for this opportunity," Andrews said. "His passion for Florida State has been evident from the first time I met him, and his energy is contagious. I am excited to be part of his staff as he leads Florida State back toward competing for championships, and I'm looking forward to contributing in any way I can."
Andrews coached the Seminoles from 1984-2009. He won the inaugural Broyles Award as the nation's top assistant in 1996 and has lived in Tallahassee since his retirement.
The Seminoles begin fall practice Aug. 6 in anticipation of the season opener against Virginia Tech at home.
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