Just one year removed from an undefeated regular season, the 2024 Florida State Seminoles, led by head coach Mike Norvell, had expectations through the roof.
Instead, FSU suffered its worst season since a 1-10 performance in 1974, and its 1-7 record in ACC play was its worst conference record in program history. In Year 6 of the Norvell era, can the Seminoles turn it around and return to a New Year’s Six bowl?
Mike Norvell Attempts to Rebuild Florida State from the Ashes After Tough 2024 Season
After the 2024 season ended, Mike Norvell promised Seminoles fans he would do “what’s necessary” to ensure the team never has a season that bad again.
Since that statement, made after FSU’s loss to Florida in November, Norvell has completely revamped the program, hiring Gus Malzahn as offensive coordinator and Tony White to coach the defense.
But something feels different at FSU, Tomahawk Nation’s Jordan Silversmith said.
“The player evaluations have changed in the portal, and although I don’t like it, he has made a 180-degree turn in his policy with the media,” Silversmith wrote.
“Will any of this translate to an exceptional turnaround? That’s the goal, but really, truly, at this point in the year, who knows? I was not at practice and only attended one scrimmage, which was defensively favored, so I am flying blind. But, after three months and being around the program, something feels different, and that is because it is,” he continued.
Silversmith said the Seminoles’ turnaround has three main aspects, the first of which was Norvell’s inward focus.
“He noticed that he did not have a pulse of the team a season ago, and that players warrant an individualized approach in this day and age of college football. So, he transitioned into a CEO role, which many coaches in CFB are adopting, to help mentor and connect with his team more effectively,” Silversmith wrote.
“Instead of relying on his staff to mold players in the portal, he brought in veteran experience and proven leaders to take command of the locker room. Norvell spoke more honestly in the spring than in years past, openly sharing when his team did not meet expectations, rather than repeating the same words.”
FSU’s portal decisions made the second aspect—making roster changes—clear. Eight players entered the spring portal, and wide receiver Jalen Brown was dismissed from the team for an off-field incident.
Coaching, the third aspect, was an immediate focus for Norvell with the hirings of Malzahn and White.
Norvell will put the rebuild to the test on August 30 with a tough season opener against the Alabama Crimson Tide in Tallahassee. The slate also features conference tilts against Miami, Pittsburgh, Clemson, N.C. State, and the annual cross-conference Sunshine State Showdown with Florida.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
