‘He has lived it, he has done it’ … Addition of Nick O’Leary to staff has FSU excited

Earlier this summer, at Mike Norvell’s summer camps, there was a special appearance by former Florida State tight end Nick O’Leary.

The former Seminole great played a huge part in FSU’s last national championship run in 2013 and was also the Mackey Award winner and a consensus All-American in 2014. O’Leary also played in the NFL as recently as 2020 for the Las Vegas Raiders after being drafted in the sixth round by the Buffalo Bills in 2015.

Now, O’Leary is one of the newest members of the Florida State coaching staff as a student assistant.

“We’re excited about Nick being on staff and what he brings to the program and what he has meant to the program,” Florida State coach Mike Norvell said Wednesday at his pre-camp luncheon. “He was the greatest tight end to play during his time in all of college football.”

Florida State tight ends coach Chris Thomsen also praised O’Leary and what he brings to the locker room and the field.

“It helps a lot. It’s been great bouncing ideas off Nick, and we’re excited,” Thomsen said. “He’ll bring a lot from a technique standpoint as he learns the offense with the guys. He’ll be able to mix in and help those guys with a lot of different things. Like you said, the recent NFL experience … he brings a lot to the room in addition to other guys that will help out. Our guys are excited about having him here.”

Seminole fans remember the star tight end as a tough, old school style of player who never wore gloves on the field. According to Norvell, O’Leary shows those traits as a coach as well.

“He is a worker. He is tough. He wants to make a difference in young people’s lives,” Norvell said. “We had some conversations in the offseason about exploring what that could look like. I’m just grateful to have him back here in Tallahassee and helping impact these young guys that really … I mean, he is on the walls here. He has lived it. He has done it.

“To be able to share the message of what set him apart, but also being a part of a championship team and what were some of the characteristics that were a part of those teams and some of those individuals I think is big. Excited for him to start his coaching career and be able to help him along with that journey.”

O’Leary will go through his first full practice as a coach on Thursday as the Seminoles start fall camp.

Stay connected with Warchant.com throughout the day for coverage of preseason practice.

Talk about this story with other die-hard FSU football fans on the Tribal Council.

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