The moment was three years ago but it’s an indelible one for Florida State defensive ends coach and special teams coordinator John Papuchis. When asked about Mike Norvell and a memory that reflects who the FSU head coach is, he recalls a moment where his boss took charge with few fans and no media watching.

“When your leader is also the hardest worker in the building, it sets the tone for everybody else,” Papuchis said. “In 2021, we all went and did the youth camps all over the state. I remember watching him take football equipment off the trucks and setting it up. And at the time, I was just kind of standing there obviously waiting for somebody else to do it. I see the head coach doing it. …

“Not only is he the hardest worker in the building, but I think his passion for what this program is, it’s unmatched. It spreads throughout the organization.”

From his very first days in Tallahassee, Norvell made work a mantra. He wore it on T-shirts that said “Work” with the “o” replaced by the Seminole head. Norvell and the staff gradually brought respect back to the program, building from three wins in a COVID-shortened 2020 to five wins and 10 in 2022.

A year ago, FSU had a perfect regular season and claimed an ACC title with its third-string quarterback, a timely ground game and a stifling defense. And this year?

“Coming off what was a 13-0 regular season and championship game was something that was really a special experience for our entire program,” Norvell said. “It sets the stage and opportunity for us to continue to push and continue to elevate this program to ultimately where it deserves to be. That’s among the nation’s elite.”

Norvell is the longest-tenured head coach among the state’s FBS schools, overseeing a turnaround as he begins Year 5 by rebuilding the program from the ground up. And after a 13-1 season in 2023, nobody is willing to settle for anything less than another run at an ACC title — and this time a spot in an expanded 12-team playoff. Not even after FSU lost 10 starters to the NFL Draft.

The 2024 Seminoles are a mix of homegrown talent accumulated from the last few signing classes as well as transfers. Many of the transfers are players who said no to FSU’s coaches coming out of high school when the Seminoles weren’t as good but yes following the ACC title, including defensive end Marvin Jones Jr. and offensive lineman TJ Ferguson.

DJ Uiagalelei, a well-traveled quarterback who starred at Clemson, lost his job, transferred to Oregon State and will play his final season at FSU. Uiagalelei’s strengths are obvious — a cannon of an arm who can launch the ball downfield to speedy receivers. And a 250-pound frame who can push forward when he runs. Is he a better version of what he was at Clemson and Oregon State?

“I’ve got to be able to earn everybody’s trust on this team and I’ve got to be able to trust in everybody as well,” Uiagalelei said.

FSU’s coaching staff has had an exceptional batting average in the portal. But Norvell and the coaches also have developed their high school signees, and this fall they will showcase homegrown stars such as All-ACC linemen Darius Washington and Maurice Smith, defensive tackle Joshua Farmer, defensive end Patrick Payton and cornerback Azareye’h Thomas.

The passing game has been erratic, but there are plenty of pieces in place. FSU’s strength on offense is the line and a deep corps of running backs. The Seminoles could dictate on the ground, be aggressive on defense and have a senior kicker and punter.

Still with a chip on their shoulder after the CFP’s snub, the work continues to get back to the sport’s elite teams.

“We’re pretty pissed off,” Farmer said. “We deserved to be there last year. That’s in the past and everything happens for a reason. I’m just happy to be here today and do it again, show the world why we should be there.”