Jimbo Fisher wants to keep his team hungry for another National Championship trophy, so he is telling them not to think about the one they just one a couple months ago.
Fisher told the Associated Press his title defense strategy is to never mention the title defense. He said he wants his players to feel the same hunger they had for winning before the nation knew who they were.
"I want to see the same things," Fisher said. "I want to see the confidence and belief in what we have, but also the hunger to go get another one and don't worry about the last one.
"We're not defending anything in that regard. I don't want us to think in those terms. What I'm looking for is another group of hungry guys who are willing to pay the same price they did last year when they didn't know they were real good."
The Florida State Seminoles just finished their winter conditioning program are without Heisman winning QB Jameis Winston as he plays baseball and cornerback James Ramsey, who is running track. Both players are expected to take on larger leadership roles in the absence of several offensive and defensive departures.
Offensive departures include James Wilder Jr., Devonta Freeman and Kenny Shaw. On defense, the team will be without Telvin Smith, Lamarcus Joyner, Timmy Jernigan and Christian Jones.
"Right now is when the identity of your football team develops its attitude, its work ethic, its camaraderie, its family atmosphere," Fisher said. "All the little traits that you as a human being, your habits, are being developed right now.
"Player development, January through August. This is a very critical time."
Fisher and the rest of the Florida State football program have to feel fairly confident in the immediate future of their program. Winston recently said he plans to stay at the school another two years in order to develop his baseball career and his ultimate goal of being a two-sport pro athlete.
The Seminoles' spring practices begin on March 18 and their first spring game is slated for April 12.
