Florida State’s Tone Toward Mike Norvell Appears to Be Changing

In college football, a public vote of confidence from the boss rarely signals smooth sailing ahead. More often, it’s the calm before the storm—and Florida State head coach Mike Norvell might be caught in the eye of it.

The Seminoles kicked off the season with a bang, stunning No. 4 Alabama in a marquee upset. They followed that with wins in their next two contests, fueling early optimism in Tallahassee. But the momentum crashed hard: four straight losses to Virginia, Miami, Pittsburgh, and Stanford turned cheers into boos, amplifying demands for Norvell’s ouster.

Enter athletic director Michael Alford, who stepped in with a statement reaffirming the university’s support for its embattled coach. Yet, as On3’s Pete Nakos reports, that endorsement might come with an expiration date—potentially as soon as next week.

“The noise was loud last Sunday to make a move, but athletic director Michael Alford released a statement Monday announcing a ‘comprehensive assessment’ would be held on the state of the program following the season,” Nakos wrote.

“Sources have told On3 that a loss to Wake Forest on Saturday at Doak Campbell could speed up the timeline [to potentially fire him]. The Demon Deacons are 5-2.”

Florida State hosts Wake Forest on November 1 in a game that could drop the Seminoles to 3-5. A defeat against a Demon Deacons squad riding a 5-2 record would mark five consecutive losses, intensifying scrutiny on Norvell’s tenure.

At 44 years old, Norvell is in his fifth full season at Florida State, holding a 36-31 overall record with only two winning campaigns to his name. His 2023 squad delivered a sparkling 13-1 mark, but since then, the Seminoles have managed just five victories in 19 games—a stark regression that has eroded fan patience.

Norvell himself has confronted the reality head-on, admitting his program falls short of the elite expectations synonymous with Florida State football.

With the Wake Forest clash looming at Doak Campbell Stadium, he appears acutely aware that another stumble could hasten his exit from the garnet and gold.

As the Seminoles prepare for a pivotal ACC showdown, the superstition holds: that vote of confidence might just be the prelude to change. For Norvell, survival hinges on snapping the skid—starting Saturday.