Social media reacts to FSU hiring Jeff Purinton

The Seminoles have their savior. Florida State made the decision to fire athletic director Michael Alford on Sept. 14 after mounting pressure surrounding the football program's performance, facility debt, lack of NIL, and revenue-sharing dilemmas. On Monday, the university announced that two-time Florida State graduate Jeff Purinton will become their 18th athletic director in school history. Purinton, originally in the FSU Sport Management program as an undergraduate, got his graduate degree in athletic administration and served as the Assistant Sports Information Director at FSU from 1999-2006. He was also the Director of Communications at the Orange Bowl. Perhaps his most relevant experience , Purinton spent nearly 15 years at the University of Alabama, where he worked his way up from an Associate A.D. in Communications to the Executive Deputy Director of Athletics. In 2022, he went to Arkansas State and served as their Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics. Finally, his most recent role at Learfield was a role as the EVP of Sports Properties. Now in 2026, Purinton returns to his alma mater to become the head of an athletic program that has seemingly seen generations of despair and frustration condensed into just a few short years. But how did social media react to this news? Here's how FSU fans reacted. Jeff Purinton is FSU's athletic director We're all listening, too A bit surreal In good company We back up Slam dunk Roommates Hope Great hire Overly qualified Bad day to be a rival fan A+ hire We're back Quick Has to be good He's always wanted it Arkansas State?! Brett McMurphy weighs in Terrific guy Totally confident Follow us @FSUWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida State news, notes, and opinions . You can also follow Jacob on X at @jsmith_sports .