Florida State’s coaching search lost a familiar name almost as soon as it began.
Duke coach Manny Diaz said Monday he has no intention of leaving Durham, pushing himself out of the conversation to replace Mike Norvell after Norvell was fired Sunday.
“I addressed the team last night. I made it pretty clear, really, really happy here,” Diaz told Duke media.
“Love being here, love going to work here every day. Anything we focus on other than finding a way to beat NC State is a distraction.
Internet rumors are going to be Internet rumors. I told coaches and players we're the same, right?
Everybody thinks our players are going to go somewhere else, right? So that's just the cost of success, which I'd rather have than the alternative.”
Diaz’s name made sense on paper because of his Florida State background. He earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from FSU in 1995, then returned to Tallahassee as a graduate assistant under Bobby Bowden from 1998-99. He was also on the Seminoles’ 1999 national championship staff.
That connection helped fuel the early chatter, but Diaz made it clear his attention is on Duke. He is in his third season with the Blue Devils and has gone 24-11. Duke won the 2025 ACC championship under his watch and has posted back-to-back nine-win seasons.
The Blue Devils are 6-2 and already bowl-eligible after a 47-2 win over Boston College last week. Diaz said the noise around successful coaches comes with the job.
“That's just the cost of success,” he said.
Florida State, meanwhile, is moving ahead with its search. Rick Stockstill is serving as interim coach while the Seminoles sort through candidates. They enter Saturday’s game against Boston College at 3-5 overall and 1-4 in ACC play, trying to end a three-game skid.
For now, one of the most recognizable names tied to the opening is off the board. Diaz has publicly removed himself from consideration, leaving Florida State to look elsewhere as the search continues.
How to watch FSU vs. Boston College
Florida State 2026 schedule
Aug. 29: vs. New Mexico State, W 34-17
Sept. 7: vs. SMU, L, 27-24
Sept. 13: Bye
Sept. 19: at Alabama, L 50-36
Sept. 26: vs. Central Arkansas, W 34-7
Oct. 3: vs. Virginia, W 38-7
Oct. 9: at Louisville, L 44-20
Oct. 17: at Miami, L 43-35 2 OT
Oct. 24: Bye
Oct. 31: vs. Clemson, L 36-24
Nov. 7: at Boston College, Noon
Nov. 13: at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m. (ESPN, Friday)
Nov. 21: vs. NC State, TBD
Nov. 27: vs. Florida, 3:30 p.m. (ABC, Friday)
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