Florida State's new special teams coordinator brings a proven track record, aiming to elevate the unit's performance and develop key players.
Coach Mike Norvell believes special teams is the backbone of the Florida State football program. When the team had a vacancy to coordinator that unit, Norvell called Adam Scheier.
The Seminoles hired Scheier on Jan. 12, about a week and a half after former special teams coordinator John Papuchis' departure to Missouri.
Scheier coached special teams for 24 years, and when he received the call, he knew Norvell was a coach who prioritized the development of that unit.
"I knew it from the first phone call prior to the actual interview, and obviously prior to getting the job offer, he's tremendously invested in special teams," Scheier told reporters on Thursday. "I think when the head coach takes that approach, it's hard for the players not to buy into it."
Scheier previously coached at UNLV, and his special teams unit led the Mountain West Conference and ranked eighth nationally in blocked punts. The Rebels had the conference's third-best pun-return defense and were one of four teams to have multiple players return a punt for a touchdown.
In his 24 years on special teams, Scheier has coached an all-conference punter or kicker in 20 of those seasons.
Although special teams may seem like just field goals, kick returns or punts, the Seminoles' new coordinator says he focuses on developing his players, teaching them how to block and tackle, the basics of offense and defense.
"We're trying to make them understand that, from Day One, playing on special teams is never a punishment, that you're going to develop," Scheier said. "You're going to get used to the speed of the game."
Florida State converted 12-of-19 field-goal attempts, finishing worst in the ACC. One player Scheier highlighted in his press conference is Gabe Panikowski, an Oklahoma State transfer.
Panikowski converted 15 of 15 field-goal tries and went 44-for-47 in his extra-point attempts as a Cowboy. Scheier praised Panikowski's consistency after witnessing his kicking motion.
"His repeatability, his consistency, and as I've gotten to know him, his background, his mental makeup, his approach has been really impressive," Scheier said. "I think he's got the makings of a really good kicker."
Scheier brings his expertise to Tallahassee and maintains the mentality that the program is known for: playing smart, fast and physical. He said as long as the special teams play that way, they'll have an impact on the game.
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