If Florida State Seminoles fans were hoping for some relief from the turbulence surrounding their team, they might want to brace themselves—because the storm isn’t letting up anytime soon. Head coach Mike Norvell finds himself in an increasingly precarious position, battling not only the ghosts of a disastrous 2024 season but also relentless poaching attempts from in-state rival Miami. The latest dagger? A Miami commit with a mission to lure talent away from FSU, potentially derailing Norvell’s desperate bid to turn things around.
The burning question remains: How much longer can Norvell hold on before the seat beneath him becomes scorching hot?
From ACC Glory to a Nightmare Season: The Rise and Fall of Norvell’s Seminoles
It wasn’t too long ago that Norvell had Florida State sitting on top of the ACC, riding a 13-0 winning streak in 2023 and capturing the conference championship. The Seminoles looked like a powerhouse, seemingly back to their dominant ways. Fast forward a year, and the same team crumbled to an unthinkable 2-10 record. A complete disaster.
Yet, despite the setbacks, Norvell hasn’t waved the white flag. He’s been grinding to reassemble the pieces, working tirelessly on the recruiting front. His efforts have landed 23 total commitments, ranking FSU’s class 18th in the nation, according to 247Sports. But just as things seemed to be stabilizing, a new threat emerged—Miami.
Miami’s Recruiting Game: A Calculated Attack on FSU?
Recruiting in college football is already cutthroat, but when an in-state rival actively targets your potential commits, it escalates into all-out war. Enter Miami commit and four-star quarterback Dereon Coleman, who appears to have taken it upon himself to do some personal recruiting on behalf of the Hurricanes.
During an episode of the On3 Recruits podcast, analyst Josh Newberg asked Coleman, “Anybody you know off the top of your head that you’re in contact with that you really want to make a Miami Hurricane?” Without hesitation, Coleman dropped a name that sent a wave of panic through Seminoles Nation: Larry Miles.
Miles isn’t just any recruit—he’s a three-star wide receiver with an electrifying skill set, boasting 68 receptions, 1,204 yards, and 10 touchdowns. More importantly, he’s a top target for Florida State. But now, with Coleman’s influence looming, Norvell’s chances of landing Miles suddenly seem far less certain.
FSU’s Desperate Bid to Win the Recruiting War
Florida State has been aggressively pursuing Miles, extending an offer that the receiver acknowledged with a hopeful tweet:
“Blessed to receive an offer from Florida State University.”
But was that tweet a sign of true interest or just a courtesy nod? That’s the million-dollar question haunting Norvell right now. The battle for Miles is made even trickier by the fact that his own teammate, three-star offensive tackle Xavier Payne, has already committed to FSU. This connection should work in Norvell’s favor, but with Miami ramping up the pressure, nothing is guaranteed.
And the timing? Brutal. The last thing Norvell needs right now is a high-profile recruiting loss—especially when national analysts are already circling, questioning whether his tenure at FSU is doomed.
Is 2025 Norvell’s Last Chance? Analysts Aren’t Holding Back
If Florida State doesn’t show dramatic improvement in 2025, Norvell may find himself looking for a new job. Late Kick host Josh Pate has already issued a blunt ultimatum:
“If 2025 is not drastically different for Florida State, I may be out.”
But it’s not like Norvell isn’t trying. He’s completely overhauled his coaching staff, bringing in major names to help fix the mess. His most notable hire? Gus Malzahn as the new offensive coordinator. And he didn’t stop there—he also added:
- Herb Hand (Offensive Line Coach)
- Tony White (Defensive Coordinator)
- Evan Cooper (Safeties Coach)
- Tim Harris Jr. (Wide Receivers Coach)
- Terrance Knighton (Defensive Line Coach)
This is not the move of a coach who’s ready to roll over and accept defeat. It’s an all-in gamble, a desperate push to prove to Florida State that they made the right choice in keeping him.
The Internet Trolls Aren’t Making It Any Easier
If the pressure from analysts and Miami’s poaching attempts weren’t enough, social media has added fuel to the fire. Elite College Football took a brutal jab at Norvell and FSU in an Instagram post featuring a frozen Doak S. Campbell Stadium alongside a not-so-subtle caption:
“Florida State had more inches of snow than wins this season!”
And just to make sure the wound was salted, the post elaborated:
“3 inches of snow in Tallahassee. 2 wins during the 2024 season.”
That one had to sting.
What’s Next? Can Norvell Silence the Doubters?
Mike Norvell is walking a razor-thin line. If he can lock down recruits like Larry Miles, turn his revamped coaching staff into a winning formula, and lead FSU to a major bounce-back season, he might just escape the avalanche of criticism burying him.
But if the poaching continues, the losses pile up, and the transfer portal starts swallowing up key players, the Seminoles could be staring at another disastrous year—and Norvell could be looking at the end of his FSU career.
One thing is for certain: 2025 will define Mike Norvell’s legacy, one way or another.
