Florida State’s coaching search is already narrowing fast, and one of the names that had been sitting near the top is now off the board.
Wake Forest coach Jake Dickert, who had emerged as a leading candidate for the Seminoles’ opening, is no longer in the mix after signing a long-term extension with the Demon Deacons. That development comes before the search has even fully kicked into gear, adding another twist to a process that has started in a hurry.
The Seminoles moved on from Mike Norvell in the middle of a 3-5 season, then turned to offensive analyst Rick Stockstill as interim coach. Stockstill won his first game in the role, but Florida State is planning to make an outside hire to lead the program for the 2027 season.
Dickert’s rise in the ACC made him an obvious name to watch. Since arriving at Wake Forest ahead of the 2025 season, he has gone 17-5 overall. He posted a 9-4 mark in his first year in the league, and Wake Forest’s current 8-1 record only strengthened the attention around him as openings started popping up across college football.
That success made Dickert a logical fit for Florida State, especially with the Seminoles looking to get better in the ACC and stay competitive moving forward. He also represented a more affordable option than some of the bigger names tied to the job, though he would still have needed a raise to make the jump.
Now that he’s locked in at Wake Forest, that path appears closed.
Florida State’s willingness to spend more on football is part of the equation, but it does not mean the next coach can be an expensive splash hire. Dickert had been one of the cheaper possibilities, and he is not the only candidate who may be too costly to land.
Colorado coach and Florida State legend Deion Sanders was reportedly briefly considered, but the administration does not want to go that direction. Duke coach Manny Diaz is another name to keep an eye on, though he is not likely to leave for a discounted deal. Diaz is in position to build something potentially special with the Blue Devils, and any move to Tallahassee would have to make financial sense.
With several candidates already fading early, the search may be trending toward Georgia defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann. Georgia cannot match what Florida State could offer him as a coordinator, and even a raise for Schumann would still be far below what more experienced head coaches would command.
Schumann may also be the cleanest option for Florida State to pursue without worrying as much about another program jumping in. He has been a head-coaching target for multiple seasons, and with the Florida State job shaping up as one of the biggest openings on the market this offseason, his name is now sitting right in the middle of it.
In Other News...
Florida State Just Lost A Coaching Search Name Fans Knew Well
Wake Forest has moved to lock in Jake Dickert with a new contract that boosts both his staff and roster salary pools, a clear sign the school wants to put any lingering uncertainty to bed. Dickert has quickly built momentum there, guiding the Demon Deacons to a 17-5 record and an 8-1 start this season, while pushing them to No. 13 in the College Football Playoff Rankings.
For Florida State, the timing matters because Dickert was a familiar name in coaching-search circles, the kind of candidate fans could easily picture in Tallahassee. Instead, Wake Forest has made its intent plain: keep the focus on the field and reduce outside chatter about his future, leaving the Seminoles to look elsewhere as the season continues to unfold. [Read more 🡒]
Florida State Heads To Pitt With One Big Problem Still Lingering
Rick Stockstill will be on the sideline as Florida States interim coach when the Seminoles head to Pittsburgh, and the timing could hardly be more complicated. Both teams are dealing with major injury issues, but Florida States list is especially tricky on offense, where the Seminoles are expected to be without running back Tre Wisner and starting center Bradyn Welch-Joiner in a matchup that already looks tight on paper.
Pittsburgh brings its own problems, including the absence of starting quarterback Mason Heintschel and several defensive players, but the Panthers still present a difficult style of game for Florida State. Pitts run defense has been a strength, while its pass defense has shown more vulnerability, leaving the Seminoles to sort through a road test as slight underdogs with plenty still unsettled around them. [Read more 🡒]
Jordan Travis Just Drew A Line In FSUs Norvell Debate
Jordan Travis stepped into the middle of a familiar Florida State conversation this week, backing former head coach Mike Norvell as criticism from some ex-players continued to linger around the program. The former Seminoles quarterback didnt just defend Norvells approach, he framed the issue around integrity and accountability, a reminder that the debate over the coachs legacy is still very much alive inside the Florida State orbit.
Corey Fuller, Florida States director of football relations, also offered a public endorsement of Norvell, praising his work ethic and commitment to the program. Travis, meanwhile, shifted the focus toward what comes next, voicing support for the next Florida State head coach as the Seminoles get ready to face Pitt under interim coach Rick Stockstill. [Read more 🡒]