If Mike Norvell Lands The Alabama Job, How Does That Impact Miami?

Florida State will be facing more than a head coaching search

Author:
Brian Smith
Publish date:
Jan 12, 2024 10:08 AM EST

In this story:

The college football world is waiting for the Alabama Crimson Tide to hire a head coach to replace Nick Saban. One of the prime candidates is widely being discussed is Florida State head coach Mike Norvell.

If Norvell does end up being the man to replace Saban, it could have multiple effects for Florida State and their rivalry with the Miami Hurricanes.

Assuming Norvell is the next head coach at Alabama, here are three great questions to think about with the FSU program. All of them could greatly change FSU's success or failure on the gridiron, and thus, impact its rivalry with Miami.

1) How many FSU players transfer if Norvell leaves for Alabama?

Fair or not, when a head coach leaves a college football program for another, there will be players who make their way to the Transfer Portal. Arguably just as important, there will be numerous assistants that leave; which in this situation for Florida State opens the Transfer Portal door even further.

College players often make their original college decision based on a coach or coaches, not the school itself. In fact, that's the norm with recruits. That means if Norvell bolts for Bama there will likely be roster attrition for the Noles. Who it will be and how soon, that is hard to say. Those players staying or going will also be impacted by the next head coach.

2) Could FSU hire Deion Sanders or another big-time coach?

It's already mid-January. Not exactly the best time to be hiring a college football head coach. Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne is facing that task now. It's hard enough for him.

What will FSU athletic director Michael Alford be able to do if he's eventually facing the same task is hard to answer because it's only going to be harder over time. There is one important note about a prominent former FSU player that needs to be mentioned before a long list of candidates comes about.

While current Colorado head coach Deion Sanders would bring a lot of hype and it would be an incredible story, it's not a lock that Sanders – or any other potential FSU coach being hired – would be as successful as Norvell. Having the combination of the right head coach, assistant staff, and players all in place is just a part of the equation.

A great strength and conditioning program, NIL, the Transfer Portal, and recruiting all have to work together to help make Florida State a great program, just like Miami or another school. It's just as likely that FSU does not find a good replacement. Honestly, most head coaches fail. Keep that in mind. Finally, NCAA infractions being levied against the Noles need to be under consideration.

3) Will FSU's NIL violations be a huge drawback?

In case anyone does not know, the NCAA is levying penalties against Florida State for NIL inducements. Here's part of what the NCAA said in its release, from the first paragraph:

"A Florida State assistant football coach violated NCAA rules when he facilitated an impermissible recruiting contact between a transfer prospect and a booster, according to an agreement released by the Division I Committee on Infractions. During that contact, the booster encouraged the prospect to enroll at Florida State and offered a name, image and likeness deal as a recruiting inducement. The assistant coach then violated ethical conduct rules when he provided false or misleading information about his involvement in the arranged meeting."

Florida State is going to lose five scholarships over two years. It will also lose 18 days of in-person evaluation during the 2024 spring evaluation period. It's important to note that Norvell is not mentioned by name in the NCAA memorandum.

Anyone can read the full release from the NCAA here.

Overall, there are many moving parts to what's going on with the University of Alabama coaching search and they could impact Florida State directly if Norvell bolts for Tuscaloosa. This is a unique scenario and one that Canes and fans across college football should be interested in following.