Florida State’s coaching search is moving forward after the Seminoles fired Mike Norvell on Nov. 1 following a 3-5 start, and the opening already has a few familiar names attached to it.
With the school now having officially hired a new athletic director on Monday - Learfield executive vice president Jeff Purinton was tabbed as the new GM in Tallahassee - the search can begin in earnest. According to John Brice of USA Today, names in the mix include Jimbo Fisher, the former Florida State coach, and Georgia defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann.
One name that won’t be part of the discussion is Wake Forest coach Jake Dickert.
Dickert has made a quick impact since arriving from Washington State, but Brice reported that he is not a candidate for the Florida State opening. The reason, according to the report, is tied to contract language at Wake Forest.
"Two coaching agents who represent current Wake Forest assistants or have represented Demon Deacons staffers in recent years told USA TODAY Sports that Wake Forest does, in fact, have “non-compete” clauses in its coaches’ contracts involving fellow ACC schools."
One source described it as a "real thing" that has already cost some coaches major opportunities, and said it appears to be limiting interest in Dickert for another job.
Dickert went 23-20 in four seasons at Washington State before going 17-5 in two seasons at Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons are 8-1 and in the ACC title race, which could put Dickert in line for a bigger job soon. Just don’t expect that leap to come at Florida State or another ACC school.
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Wake Forest Faces A Season-Shaping Test Against SMUs Dangerous Offense
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The challenge starts with quarterback Kevin Jennings and running back Kendrick Raphael, but SMU also brings defensive pieces such as Marques White and Kilgore who can make life difficult in their own right. For Wake Forest, the margin for error is thin, and the result could end up shaping not just the conference race but the programs postseason outlook as well. [Read more 🡒]