Report: Mike Norvell Considered Taking Alabama Job, Lane Kiffin Potential Replacement
Florida State head coach Mike Norvell was rewarded with a new eight-year extension that will make him one of the highest-paid coaches in college football after he chose to stick with the Seminoles over the Alabama Crimson Tide earlier this year.
Alabama made a sizable push to land Norvell as Nick Saban's replacement in Tuscaloosa. There was even some worry from the FSU side, especially after former head coach Jimbo Fisher departed from the program for Texas A&M in 2017. That had the Seminoles scrambling to be prepared for all outcomes.
According to ESPN's Chris Lowe, Alabama Athletic Director Greg Byrne was focused on Norvell and Washington's Kalen DeBoer from the beginning of the coaching search. Both candidates fit the standard as proven names who had led their respective programs to success while displaying an ability to develop talent. Byrne even had "serious conversations" with Norvell and DeBoer the day after Saban retired.
Per the report, Byrne flew to Seattle that Thursday to meet with DeBoer in person while also having another talk with Norvell. The strong pursuit of Norvell led to 'fear among Florida State officials' that he was close to saying yes to the Crimson Tide on Friday morning. Hours later, Athletic Director Michael Alford confirmed that the program was keeping its head coach.
In the event that the Seminoles did have to begin a coaching search of their own, they were prepared to move swiftly and already had at least one name in mind. Lowe wrote that sources informed him that Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin would have been a 'prime candidate' to succeed Norvell at Florida State.
That's certainly an interesting tidbit as Kiffin is one of the most polarizing coaches in the sport. He's established himself with the Rebels, recording a 34-15 overall record with two double-digit win seasons in the last three years. Kiffin is coming off an 11-2 campaign where he guided Ole Miss to a victory over Penn State in the Peach Bowl.
Kiffin was one of the few figures out of the SEC to defend the Seminoles in the wake of the historic College Football Playoff snub.
“I do feel for Florida State and their players for doing everything they were asked to do and not making it, that was really obviously the first time that's ever happened. To be undefeated and for that to happen I do feel for them and coach Norvell because they had an amazing season, overcame a lot to do what they did."
Norvell obviously decided to stick around in Tallahassee to continue building the program that he's helped rise out of the ashes. At the same time, it's encouraging that Florida State was willing to do whatever was needed to keep the Seminoles at the top of college football.
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