Mike Norvell Reaffirms Commitment To FSU Football Amidst Alabama Coaching Rumors
The college football world has been spinning at a furious pace ever since the shocking retirement of legendary Alabama coach Nick Saban on Wednesday. Without a moment's notice, one of the top jobs in the country became available for the first time in over a decade. It won't be easy for anyone to step into Saban's shoes but the opportunity and prestige are certainly alluring.
Florida State head coach Mike Norvell has been among the shortlist of high-profile names linked to the Crimson Tide in the aftermath of the decision. On Friday, Norvell publicly announced that he would be remaining in Tallahassee while reaffirming his commitment to the program, Athletics Director Michael Alford, and President Richard McCullough.
"GREAT DAY to be a FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLE!! The #CLIMBContinues grateful for opportunity to lead the #NoleFamily with our incredible staff. Appreciate [President McCullough], [AD Alford], and Seminoles for continued commitment on our journey back to the TOP! The Future is bright in Tallahassee."
Entering his fifth year with the Seminoles, Norvell is under contract through 2029 at an average of $8.05 million per year. He most recently agreed to an extension last February and another one is probably on the way after Florida State's 13-1* finish to the 2023 season.
When he came to Tallahassee in December of 2019, Norvell took over a program that was reeling after the conclusion of Jimbo Fisher's tenure and the mess that Willie Taggart created. Though it took time, he promised that Florida State would climb on and off the field and the program truly has.
The Seminoles have won 28 of their last 35 games dating back to an 0-4 start in 2021. Florida State went 10-3 in 2022, defeating programs such as LSU, Miami, and Florida while taking down Oklahoma in the Cheez-It Bowl. The campaign marked FSU's first season with 10+ wins since 2016 and its first postseason victory since 2017.
Norvell followed that up by guiding Florida State to more wins for the fourth consecutive season. The Seminoles won their first 13 games of the year, taking down LSU, Clemson, Duke, Miami, Florida, and Louisville. Despite losing star quarterback Jordan Travis late in the season, the team rallied to defeat the Gators on the road and then compiled one of the best defensive performances in school history to take down the Cardinals in the ACC Championship to secure the trophy for the first time in nine years.
Florida State ultimately became the first undefeated "Power Five" Conference Champion to be excluded from the College Football Playoff. However, 13 has-beens in a conference room can't take away the shine from a special year that will be remembered in Tallahassee for a long time. The Seminoles earned a program-record 25 selections on All-ACC teams, including a conference-best eight on the first team.
FSU's success hasn't been limited to just on the field. The 2023 season featured 69 players who have graduated, earned a 3.0 cumulative GPA, or finished their previous semester with a 3.0 GPA. That includes 23 players who earned their degrees at the conclusion of the fall semester. The Seminoles had 35 student-athletes receive Academic All-ACC honors in 2022-23. The team also compiled a 983 Academic Progress Rate (APR), which is one of the top 25 marks in the FBS, and a graduate success rate of 63.
Norvell is 31-17 at Florida State and won the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award, Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award, ACC Coach of the Year, and AFCA Regional Coach of the Year following the season. He's also held the head coaching position at Memphis and was once the youngest coach in the FBS. Norvell has compiled a 69-32 record as a head coach while winning two conference championships and going 1-4 in bowl games.
The 42-year-old played his college football at Louisiana Tech and Central Arkansas. He's held assistant coaching positions at Central Arkansas, Tulsa, Pittsburgh, and Arizona State. Norvell has coached under Gus Malzahn and Todd Graham. His coaching tree has produced 44 Division I coaches, including five head coaches - such as Oregon's Dan Lanning, Arizona State's Kenny Dillingham, Southern Miss's Will Hall, and Memphis's Ryan Silverfield - and 11 coordinators.
Florida State will kick off its 2024 campaign in Ireland with an ACC matchup against Georgia Tech.
READ MORE: FSU Football Running Back To Remain With Program For Senior Season
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