Jordan Travis isn’t interested in hearing former Florida State players take shots at Mike Norvell’s character.
The former Seminoles quarterback, who transferred in from Louisville and went on to become one of the most accomplished players in program history, pushed back hard after criticism of Norvell surfaced following the coach’s firing. Travis said there’s room to debate coaching and player development, but he drew a line when it came to attacks on Norvell as a person.
“I see former teammates of mine coming after the person that Mike Norvell was, and I will never respect that, and I won’t stand for that,” Travis said on Travis Takes Two.
Travis said Norvell and former offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham believed in him early, and he made clear he sees his own growth at Florida State as something he had to own. He also aimed criticism at players who, in his view, were too quick to blame the staff instead of looking inward.
“Obviously, we see these guys that are coming out and putting Coach Norvell on blast, and I've been very vocal on this podcast. I feel like the players these days and, even in my day and age, players are getting soft.
They talk about development and 'he didn't develop me' and this and that. At some point, you gotta take ownership.
When you go home, what'd you put into your body? How much film are you watching?
How much time are you putting into the weight room?”
Travis also said he still stays connected with several former teammates through a group chat, and that since Norvell’s dismissal they’ve been swapping memories about his time in Tallahassee. In those conversations, Travis said, the focus has been on how Norvell brought players from different backgrounds together.
Corey Fuller, whom Norvell hired as Florida State’s director of football relations in 2022, backed that up with his own experience. Fuller said Norvell gave him the flexibility to be there for his son as long as the job got done, and that the coach followed through on his word.
“That man came in every day with the same spirit to work hard to make Florida State better,” Fuller said.
Fuller added that two players can leave the same program with completely different feelings about it, and he challenged critics to look at what they themselves did while they were in Tallahassee.
"The reality of it is that players need to focus on their future and where they're at in life. He's going to get another job, whether or not it is going to be an offensive coordinator (somewhere)."
Fuller continued. "I'm not talking about the neighbor next door that has everything, and I'm still trying to get.
What does that do? But I bet if you look at those players who are talking, most of them are disgruntled players.
Go look at what they did when they were here."
Travis, meanwhile, said he’s already moved on to the next chapter for the program. As Florida State searches for its next head coach, he said he’ll be behind whoever walks through the door.
“I’m going to support whoever the heck comes into this building because I’m a Florida State fan at the end of the day,” he said.
Florida State is set to play Pitt on Friday with interim head coach Rick Stockstill in charge while the search continues. The game will air on ESPN at 7:00 p.m. ET.
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 🡒]
Florida State Just Lost A Key Coaching Search Target
Florida States coaching search has already taken on a different shape since Mike Norvell was fired in-season and offensive analyst Rick Stockstill was handed the interim job. The Seminoles have been linked to a wide range of names as they look for a full-time answer, and the list has included Deion Sanders, Manny Diaz and Georgia defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann as the process has moved forward.
One of the more familiar possibilities is now off the board. Wake Forest coach Jake Dickert, who had been considered a top target for Florida State, is no longer in the mix after signing a long-term extension with Wake Forest, removing a candidate many around the search had viewed as a serious fit. With Dickert out, attention around the Seminoles is likely to keep shifting toward the remaining names, and Schumanns status has drawn particular speculation as the search continues. [Read more 🡒]