Florida State has fired head coach Mike Norvell and launched a search for a new leader as the program attempts to recover from a steep decline that followed an undefeated regular season in 2023. The Seminoles went 10-23 over the subsequent 33 games, including a 4-17 record in ACC play since the start of 2024, and have lost 12 consecutive road games, tying a school record. The athletic department also dismissed athletic director Mike Alford in September and currently lacks a permanent replacement.
The financial landscape complicates the hire. Norvell's buyout is estimated between $47.1 million and $50.3 million, which would rank as the third-largest in college football history, though it could be offset by his future salary. Florida State closed fiscal year 2025 with $437 million in athletics-related debt, up from $237 million a year earlier, largely tied to bonds for the renovation of Doak Campbell Stadium and a new football operations building. The cost of a new coaching staff will add to that burden.
Leading Candidates
Manny Diaz, currently at Duke, began his coaching career in Tallahassee as a graduate assistant under Bobby Bowden. He is 24-11 at Duke and led the Blue Devils to the ACC Championship Game in 2025. Diaz knows the ACC and South Florida recruiting well, but his three-season stint as Miami's head coach (21-15) may concern some Florida State supporters.
Eli Drinkwitz of Missouri owns a 64-32 career FBS record, including a 12-1 season at Appalachian State and an 11-2 campaign at Missouri in 2023 that ended with a Cotton Bowl victory over Ohio State. He signed a six-year contract averaging $10.75 million through 2031, but his buyout drops to $5 million before December 1 and $4 million after. Drinkwitz has ACC experience from his time at NC State, though he is 3-10 against AP Top 25 teams since 2024.
Jake Dickert has Wake Forest at 7-1 and in second place in the ACC, improving to 16-5 in two seasons. His defense ranks sixth nationally in rushing yards allowed (82.9 per game). However, Wake Forest assistant contracts contain a noncompete clause barring moves within the ACC for one year; it is unclear if Dickert's head-coach deal includes similar language.
Kenny Dillingham, Norvell's former offensive coordinator at Florida State (2020-21) and Memphis (2018), won the Big 12 and reached the College Football Playoff in his second year at Arizona State. He is 26-21 overall and recently signed a five-year extension averaging $7.5 million annually. His close relationship with Norvell could be a factor.
Jason Eck has gone 16-5 over two seasons at New Mexico, with a defense allowing a nation-best 11.9 points per game. The 42-18 career head coach built programs at Idaho (FCS playoffs three straight years) and emphasizes line play, an area where Florida State struggled under Norvell. He lacks Power Four head-coaching experience and ties to the Southeast.
Blake Baker, LSU's defensive coordinator and the highest-paid assistant in the country, has revived defenses at Louisiana Tech, Miami, Missouri, and LSU. In 2025, LSU allowed 18.3 points per game, its best mark since 2016. Baker has recruited South Florida during his Miami tenure and the Southeast at Missouri and LSU.
Glenn Schumann, Georgia's defensive coordinator, is a Valdosta, Georgia native whose grandfather, Jack Haskin, is in the Florida State Hall of Fame. The 36-year-old has been with Kirby Smart since 2016 and was co-defensive coordinator on back-to-back national title teams (2021, 2022). He is regarded as an elite recruiter but has never been a head coach.
Wild-Card Options
SMU's Rhett Lashlee is well compensated and has deep NIL resources, making a move difficult. Former Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher, who left with an 83-23 record and a national championship in 2013, still owns a home in Tallahassee. Some boosters are intrigued by a potential return at a reduced cost after his 45-25 tenure at Texas A&M ended with his firing in 2023.
