INSTANT REACTION: Florida State hires Jeff Purinton as next director of athletics

Purinton, a native of Palatka, Florida, started his career in the Seminoles' athletics communications office as an undergraduate in 1994 and worked under coaches Bobby Bowden and Mike Martin during a stretch that included the 1999 national championship and Chris Weinke's 2000 Heisman Trophy season.

After leaving FSU in 2006, Purinton spent 15 years at the University of Alabama, rising to executive deputy director of athletics while working alongside Nick Saban during the Crimson Tide's championship run. He then served as vice chancellor for intercollegiate athletics at Arkansas State in 2022 before taking a senior executive role with Learfield, where he built multimedia rights revenue for SEC programs. McCullough said Purinton has "the experience, judgment and championship pedigree to lead Florida State Athletics at this important moment."

FSU Board of Trustees Chair Peter Collins highlighted Purinton's Learfield experience as "invaluable as we seek to reshape our department" amid the changing college athletics landscape. Purinton earned both his bachelor's degree in sport management (1997) and master's in athletic administration (2006) from Florida State. He and his wife Julie have two daughters, Jillian and Josie.

Nick Saban, now an ESPN commentator, endorsed the hire: "Jeff has always set a great example through his work ethic, character, and discipline. He's a steady leader who knows how to build relationships, inspire people and bring out the best in others." Former FSU quarterback Chris Weinke, who has known Purinton for 30 years, said "Jeff bleeds garnet and gold" and "will work tirelessly to build an athletics department Seminoles everywhere can be proud of."

Purinton said he is "excited to get started, to listen, to build relationships and to work with our coaches, student-athletes, staff and supporters to move Florida State Athletics forward."