FSU President: Loss to Clemson was ‘a Defining Moment’

It was Black Sunday for Mike Norvell. He was fired as head football coach at Florida State after seven seasons. Norvell’s record with the Seminoles was 41-39.

Florida State President Richard McCullough came to that very difficult business decision after the Seminoles suffered a 36-24 loss to Clemson at Doak Campbell Stadium.

McCullough held a press conference Sunday after Norvell was fired.

“It’s the fate of Florida State football,” said McCullough. “It's the legacy that we have at Florida State and trying to get it right. That demands excellence on the field and a trajectory going in the right direction and I'm just not I just did not seeing that trajectory and yesterday was a was a bit of a defining moment for me.”

If that loss to Clemson Saturday by Norvell and his team was a defining moment, then McCullough has been overwhelmed by defining moments for the last two and a half years.

Since the undefeated regular season of 2023, a season where Norvell led the Seminoles to an ACC championship, Norvell coached Florida State to a 10-23 record and 4-17 in ACC play.

Coming into the Clemson game, Florida State had not defeated Clemson at Doak Campbell Stadium since 2014. Under Norvell, the Seminoles had beaten Clemson only once.

Now McCullough and the administration must begin the arduous process of hiring new football coach, along with a new athletic director.

According to McCullough, the search firm of Parker Associates will handle both searches simultaneously.

After the decision was made, Norvell was allowed to address the team.

“Coach Norvell did talk to the team,” said McCullough. “In true coach Norvell fashion, he was very passionate he was very emotional but the lasting words he left them was “‘don't let up. I'm here to support you. I love Florida State football. I'm here to follow you and your careers and your life's path and journey.’”

The team gave him an ovation as he walked out.”

Norvell was plagued with roster building issues. Failure to develop the quarterback position was a huge factor.

Norvell had to “settle” for transfer quarterbacks the last three seasons, and none were rated as top tier portal passers.

Florida State missed out on Cam Ward in 2024.

Two talented and experienced quarterbacks on the roster, Malachi Marshall and Dean Denobile, are wasting away holding their clipboards on the sideline.

Especially since Norvell had committed to ride and die with Ashton Daniels as his starting quarterback way back in spring practice.

No quarterback battle in fall camp after Marshall arrived on campus was telling.

Daniels has thrown 11 interceptions this season, the most in the ACC.

Norvell calling plays did not help his cause either. The offense was talented, especially at the running back and receiver positions.

But Norvell’s play calling was too conservative at times and was consistently inconsistent. Defensive collapses in losses to Alabama and Louisville were nails in his coffin.

McCullough alluded to the fact about what kind of person the next coach needs to be.

“I'm not the only person here, but it's got to be a Florida State person, you know?” said McCullough. 

If he had a short list of coaching candidates in his pocket that fit that bill, you most certainly would find the name of Manny Diaz, the Duke head coach.

Diaz is a former Florida State alum, and was a graduate assistant under Bobby Bowden.

Former Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher would also fit that criteria. Fisher won a national title with the Seminoles in 2013.

The university administration is aware of the timeline ahead.

The Early signing period in December, and the January transfer portal window are both showing on the horizon as the calendar changes to November.

This is an important hire that the administration has to get right if they want to preserve the legacy of Florida State football.