Florida State is headed into Saturday’s game at Alabama with plenty of heat already surrounding the program, and it’s not limited to Mike Norvell’s sideline. The Seminoles fired athletics director Michael Alford on Monday after just four years, adding another jolt to a department that has already cycled through a lot of change.
That kind of turnover is familiar territory in Tallahassee. Alford followed David Coburn, who lasted four years himself, and Stan Wilcox, who spent five years in the job.
One left by resignation, one retired, and one was fired. However it happened, the result was the same: another reset.
Alabama has lived through that kind of churn before, and it has no interest in repeating it.
After the passing of Paul W. "Bear" Bryant, the Crimson Tide went through seven athletics directors - four hires and three appointed interims - over a 17-year stretch from 1983-1999.
That run came with plenty of turbulence. The old model of football coaches serving as athletics director ended when Ray Perkins left in 1986.
Steve Sloan, a former Alabama quarterback, drew backlash from fans when he agreed to move the Iron Bowl to Auburn’s campus, a change that began in 1989 after decades in Birmingham and came 11 years before the rivalry became a true home-and-home series.
Then came Cecil "Hootie" Ingram, who resigned only weeks after the NCAA said a university investigation into rules violations had been insufficient, which led to probation for the football program. Later, Gene Stallings had a strained relationship with the final AD he worked under, Bob Bockrath.
Eventually, stability showed up in the form of Mal Moore. The late AD became a trusted leader and a strong fundraiser, and his place in Alabama history is forever tied to hiring Nick Saban. Moore held the job for 15 years before his health declined, and since then Alabama has been far steadier at the top.
Greg Byrne is now in his 10th year as Alabama’s athletics director.
Even in a job that has changed dramatically during Byrne’s tenure - through conference realignment, NIL, the transfer portal and the constant push for upgraded facilities - athletics directors are still judged mostly by the coaches they hire in the biggest sports. When the nameplate changes, the ripple effects reach everywhere: administrators, coaches, athletes, donors and fans.
Priorities shift. Loyalties shift.
The experience around the program can shift with them.
And the more often that chair changes hands, the more likely things are to go sideways.
Florida State is beginning that process again, with its next AD set to be its fourth since 2013.
Alabama, for its part, knows exactly what that looks like - and would rather not go back.
In Other News...
Alabama Faces One Big Receiver Question Before Florida State
Alabamas buildup to Florida State has plenty of new faces in the mix, but the biggest roster question remains in the receiver room. Noah Rogers is still working back from a lower-body injury and has yet to make his season debut, though he is close to returning, leaving Alabama to sort out how much it can count on him as the opener approaches.
His availability matters because this is the kind of early test that can expose even small depth issues, especially for a team trying to blend new pieces into the offense. Florida State enters with its own turbulence after firing its athletic director, and Mike Norvells standing could be shaped by how his team looks against Alabama, which only adds a little more edge to a game already carrying plenty of weight. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Commit Just Changed The In-State Recruiting Conversation
Trent Seaborns senior season has taken on even more weight around Alabama recruiting circles, and the Thompson quarterback just added another layer to a rsum that was already hard to ignore. The Alabama commit has climbed to No. 1 in AL.coms Best in Bama high school football prospect rankings, a shift that reflects both his production and the growing sense that he is finishing his prep career as one of the states defining players.
Seaborn also owns the all-time passing yards record in Alabama high school history and remains a leading Mr. Football candidate, which puts him at the center of the in-state conversation as the fall rolls on. The updated rankings brought movement elsewhere, too, with new additions and other prospect tweaks across the list, but Seaborns rise stands out most for Alabama fans watching the future of the quarterback room and the recruiting battle lines across the state. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Gets A Needed O-Line Boost Before Florida State
Alabama is set to get a timely reinforcement up front as right guard Michael Carroll, a freshman All-America pick, is expected to be available for the matchup with Florida State after sitting out the previous game because of an injury. Carroll has been back in practice and should give the Crimson Tide a needed boost on an offensive line that will be asked to set the tone early and help steady the offense in a tough opening test.
The timing matters because Florida State brings a running game that will challenge Alabama on the other side of the ball, putting even more emphasis on field position, possession and overall control of the line of scrimmage. With a major opponent on deck, Alabama's ability to protect its quarterback and stay balanced on offense could shape the game, and Carroll's return at right guard gives the Tide a better chance to handle the physical demands ahead. [Read more 🡒]