Mike Norvell spent Monday answering for more than Florida State’s 44-20 loss at Louisville.
The Seminoles’ head coach also found himself apologizing for the way he snapped in the postgame press conference after another rough defensive outing. Asked about the rushing defense, Norvell slammed the desk and dropped an F-bomb at a reporter in frustration after Florida State gave up more than 400 yards of offense again.
“I do want to take a minute to apologize. … I was obviously frustrated during postgame … to make sure that my language is what it needs to be in all situations,” Norvell said Monday.
But the apology didn’t become the main point of discussion for many fans. Their focus stayed on the bigger issue: Florida State’s play on the field.
“I was more offended by the 400 rushing yards...” Mike Ferguson wrote on X.com
Another commenter, @SkyNole2, questioned Norvell's focus.
“Of all the things to apologize for……..” Implying the back-to-back losing seasons.
“Maybe some more cursing is actually what is needed…” another fan wrote.
Florida State has now allowed more than 500 yards of total offense in three games. SMU piled up 585, Alabama finished with 567, and Louisville put up 537.
That’s the backdrop for a fan base that’s growing more restless by the week. The apology for profanity barely scratches the surface of what’s bothering people around the program.
The Louisville game only added to the frustration. Florida State opened by scoring touchdowns on its first two possessions, then went silent over the next six drives as a 14-0 lead turned into a 35-14 hole. The Seminoles finished with 362 yards on 77 plays, averaging 4.7 yards per snap.
Duce Robinson’s usage is becoming part of the conversation, too. He caught six passes for 135 yards and a touchdown against Alabama, but over the last three games he has just six receptions for 84 yards.
Against Virginia and Louisville, he totaled only four catches for 32 yards combined. For a player projected to be among the country’s best receivers, Florida State hasn’t consistently found ways to get him involved.
Ousmane Kromah has provided a bright spot, but the offense can’t lean on just two pieces and expect the questions to stop. Not with a passionate fan base and boosters watching closely.
Florida State heads to Coral Gables this weekend to play Miami, giving Norvell and the Seminoles another chance to reset things.
In Other News...
Mike Norvell's Soft ACC Finish Feels Like A Defining FSU Stretch
Florida States season has reached the point where every game feels bigger than the record itself. With six left on the schedule, the Seminoles still have a path to a winning finish, and that matters because the programs next steps are being weighed with more than just on-field results in mind. Mike Norvell is coaching through a stretch where a soft ACC slate offers a chance to steady things, even as frustration from the fan base continues to build.
The larger conversation around Norvell is no longer only about this fall. University leadership has to account for the cost of any major move, including his buyout and any potential staff changes, while also judging whether the program is showing enough progress to justify patience. In a league that has given Florida State room to finish strong, these last six games may end up shaping not just the season, but the tone of everything that follows. [Read more 🡒]
Florida State Cut Ties With A Freshman Defender Under Troubling Circumstances
Florida State moved quickly to cut ties with freshman cornerback Chuck Kennon after his arrest on charges that included false imprisonment and aggravated fleeing to elude. Mike Norvell confirmed the dismissal, and the university said the decision was tied to conduct detrimental to the team, a standard the Seminoles have used before when off-field issues threaten the programs image and stability.
Kennon appeared in court, where bonds were set and restrictions were imposed after the incident that began with a police pursuit and ended with him fleeing on foot before later turning himself in. For Florida State, the episode leaves another roster spot open and another reminder that accountability off the field can arrive as abruptly as any depth chart change. [Read more 🡒]
Florida State Heads Into Miami With Mike Norvell Pressure Rising
Florida State heads into the Miami game sitting at 3-3, and the timing makes the trip feel bigger than a rivalry matchup. Recent losses have only sharpened the scrutiny around Mike Norvell, with the Seminoles trying to steady themselves against a demanding schedule while questions linger about the defense and the overall direction of the program.
Mike Norvells future has become part of the conversation now, with debate centering on whether hell be allowed to finish the season or whether the school could move in another direction sooner. For a team already dealing with uneven play, the pressure only grows from here, and the meeting with Miami arrives as a test of both the rosters resolve and the administrations patience. [Read more 🡒]