Potential Candidates for Florida State Seminoles Head Coach

The speculation surrounding a possible change in leadership for the Florida State Seminoles football team continues to grow, even though Mike Norvell has not been fired. A list of potential successors is circulating, with Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Kenny Dillingham being mentioned prominently.

College football analyst J.D. PicKell recently shared a video discussing coaches he would consider if the Florida State position became available. He expressed a strong opinion about Norvell, stating simply, “Mike Norvell is cooked.” Dillingham’s name came up soon after.

PicKell remarked, “I don’t know if he takes the job, but at least call Kenny Dillingham. There’s a chance he might say, ‘I love ASU and my heart’s here in Tempe,’ but if Florida State offers better resources, he might be inspired to make the move.”

Other names on PicKell’s list included Duke’s Manny Diaz, SMU’s Rhett Lashlee, and Memphis’ Charles Huff. Notably absent from the list was Jimbo Fisher.

Florida State Seminoles have faced challenges recently, marked by a 3-3 record and a 1-2 standing in ACC play following a 44-20 loss against Louisville on October 9. The game took a drastic turn as Louisville outscored FSU 44-6, despite Florida State initially leading 14-0. This loss marked the 11th consecutive road loss for the Seminoles, with Norvell holding a 4-15 record in his last 19 conference games.

The financial aspects of a coaching change are substantial. According to On3’s Pete Nakos, Norvell’s buyout is approximately $51 million. Furthermore, replacing him and hiring a new staff could amount to around $100 million. Nakos also mentioned that a mid-season change seems improbable, but not entirely off the table.

The discussion around Kenny Dillingham emphasizes the importance of resources, as Florida State struggles to match the funding of the top ACC programs. This issue was compounded by the school’s dismissal of athletic director Michael Alford this fall. Decision-makers reportedly aimed for Norvell to achieve a 7-5 record or better to continue through 2027. The Seminoles need victories against Miami, Clemson, Boston College, Pittsburgh, North Carolina State, and Florida to qualify for a bowl game.