Florida State’s coaching search may not be reaching far into the unknown. It could circle right back to a familiar face.
With Mike Norvell’s future in Tallahassee looking increasingly shaky, Bruce Feldman reported that Florida State is exploring a possible reunion with former head coach Jimbo Fisher. The timing comes as the university already made a major move this week, firing athletic director Michael Alford.
Norvell’s exit could come as soon as after Saturday’s game against Alabama, and Fisher has emerged as a name to watch if the Seminoles decide to make a change.
Fisher’s history at Florida State is hard to ignore. He coached the Seminoles from 2010 through 2017 and put together an 83-23 record. During that stretch, Florida State won three ACC championships, running the table from 2012 through 2014, and captured the national title in 2013.
There is also reported mutual interest. According to reports, Fisher "really wants" the FSU job if it becomes available and hopes a reunion between the two sides can happen.
The big question is whether Fisher would fit the current college football landscape. After leaving Florida State, he spent the 2018-2023 seasons at Texas A&M, where he went 45-25 before being fired just two weeks before the end of the 2023 season.
His time away from Tallahassee also came before the sport fully shifted into the transfer portal and NIL era, which leaves plenty of uncertainty about how his approach would translate now with constant roster turnover and money-driven movement.
None of that matters if Florida State somehow catches fire and reaches the College Football Playoff, but that remains a long shot. More likely, the focus stays on when the Norvell decision comes down - and whether the Seminoles turn to Fisher for a reunion.
In Other News...
Clemson Heads To Its Next ACC Test With New Health Concerns
Clemson heads into its next ACC road test at California carrying a few more health questions than it would like this early in the week. The initial injury report lists multiple defensive starters as questionable, including nickel Corian Gipson and defensive tackle Devarrick Woods, a concerning note for a unit that has had to keep its depth in order as the season has moved along.
Gipson is still working back from a recent injury that limited his play, while running back Jay Haynes remains questionable as he recovers from an ACL tear. On the brighter side, quarterback Christopher Vizzina is listed as probable after dealing with elbow swelling, giving Clemson at least one key offensive piece a better chance of being available as it prepares for a long trip and another conference challenge. [Read more 🡒]
Clemson Faces A Late-Night ACC Test That Could Expose Two Concerns
Clemsons first ACC road trip of the season sends the Tigers all the way to Berkeley on Sept. 25, where a late-night test against Cal will offer a cleaner read on where this team really stands. It is the kind of cross-country conference game that can sharpen a September rsum quickly, especially for a Clemson group still sorting out what travels well and what does not once it leaves home.
The matchup carries real pressure because both sides bring a clear identity into it, with Clemson looking to build on recent positive signs while trying to avoid the kind of defensive lapse that can turn a long trip into a long night. Cal also has enough offensive firepower to make this interesting, so the focus turns to how Clemson handles the road setting, the passing game, and the small errors that can decide a game like this before the fourth quarter even settles in. [Read more 🡒]
Dabo Swinney Just Put Clemsons Backfield Tension In The Spotlight
Gideon Davidsons breakout against North Carolina gave Clemson a much-needed jolt in the backfield, and it also helped clarify how the Tigers are sorting out carries behind center. Davidson handled 16 carries for 105 yards and a touchdown in the Week 3 ACC home win, while Chris Johnson Jr. was barely involved and finished without a yard. For a Clemson offense still trying to find the right rhythm, the distribution was hard to miss.
Dabo Swinney then made it clear the reduced role for Johnson was not just a matter of game flow. He said Johnson was benched for not following the play scheme, even as the freshman continued to help on special teams, and he also pointed to issues up front and the lack of depth at running back. That leaves Clemson with one obvious emerging option and a few questions about how stable the rotation really is once the Tigers get into the heart of league play. [Read more 🡒]