Florida State’s next coaching move has to be about more than optics. The Seminoles need a leader who can rebuild the roster, keep the recruiting operation moving and handle a college football world that keeps getting more expensive and more complicated.
That’s the backdrop as the program weighs what comes next after the reported discussions surrounding Mike Norvell’s tenure. And with financial obligations potentially making a change harder to pull off, Florida State has to balance proven experience against cost.
One name that fits a lot of the checklist is Manny Diaz. The Duke head coach brings Florida State ties as a Seminole graduate, along with a résumé that includes a previous run as Miami’s head coach and a rebound as Penn State’s defensive coordinator.
At Duke, he has shown he can lead without the kind of resources the sport’s biggest brands enjoy. He knows Florida recruiting, has deep ACC experience and could give Florida State a defensive identity.
The obvious question is whether the school would hire a former Miami head coach - and whether Diaz would want to leave the stability he has built in Durham.
Kenny Dillingham is another strong possibility, and this one comes with direct Florida State familiarity. He was Norvell’s offensive coordinator in 2020 and 2021, then took over Arizona State and has shown he can build a competitive program through player development, recruiting and offensive creativity.
That previous stop in Tallahassee would give him useful institutional knowledge. But the connection to Norvell could complicate how the hire is viewed, and Arizona State’s pull may be hard to overcome.
Florida State would likely have to pay up to get him.
Rhett Lashlee brings a different kind of appeal. The SMU head coach has established himself as a sharp offensive mind while guiding the Mustangs through their move into the ACC.
He has also shown he can handle the demands of a program that is investing heavily in football. For Florida State, that offensive profile could be attractive if the goal is to bring back the explosive feel that defined the Seminoles’ championship era.
Lashlee also understands the ACC and the importance of quarterback development. Still, SMU’s financial commitment to football could make him a tough get.
If Florida State wants to go the assistant route, Glenn Schumann stands out. The Georgia defensive coordinator has worked under Kirby Smart and helped build defenses that powered the Bulldogs’ national championship success.
He also has experience in Nick Saban’s championship environment at Alabama. Schumann checks the boxes for recruiting, player development and the organizational standards needed at the highest level.
The catch is obvious: he has never been a head coach. After Norvell’s struggles, Florida State has to decide whether it wants a proven program leader or a high-level assistant with major upside.
Charles Huff rounds out the group as a coach who has already shown he can build and rebuild. Now at Memphis, Huff previously led Marshall and Southern Miss, earning a reputation for putting together competitive rosters.
His background also includes stops at Alabama and Penn State, giving him experience in recruiting and player development at the highest level. He knows the Southeast, and he knows how to manage roster turnover in the transfer-portal era.
There’s also a notable overlap here: Norvell came to Florida State after building at Memphis, so hiring another Memphis head coach would invite some skepticism. Even so, Huff’s broader track record makes him worth a hard look.
Florida State is staring at a decision that could shape the program for years. Another long rebuild is not an option. The Seminoles have to weigh the cost of making a change against the investment required to land the right coach and assemble a roster that can compete again.
Diaz, Dillingham and Lashlee bring head coaching experience. Schumann offers the chance to hire a respected assistant from a championship machine. Huff brings a history of roster building and turnover management.
However this plays out, Florida State’s next move will say plenty about whether the Seminoles can get back to national prominence or keep searching for the stability that has slipped away.
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