Report Offers Florida State Another BIG-NAME Replacement for Mike Norvell Following Jimbo Fisher Return Rumors
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With Mike Norvell in the hottest seat in college football, and new rumors pointing to Jimbo Fisher’s return to Florida State, a separate report has offered the Seminoles another big-name replacement option for their current head coach.
Heading into Florida State’s game against No. 10 Alabama on the Week 3 college football schedule, there has been a lot of buzz about Norvell coaching for his job on Saturday afternoon. After going 13-1 in 2023, he has an 8-18 record in the two-plus years since. The team’s 1-1 start to the 2026 campaign has only reignited the speculation that the Seminoles could make a coaching change in the near future.
If they do fire Norvell, who could the program turn to, considering they will owe him close to $50 million if they oust him this year? This week, The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman revealed that school officials are seriously considering a reunion with Fisher, the last man to lead them to a National Championship.
Why Florida State officials are seriously considering a Jimbo Fisher reunion
“One interesting development we’ve heard recently is the prospect of former Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher returning to take over the program,” Feldman wrote. “Industry sources told The Athletic that FSU brass is looking into the possibility. Financially, it could make some sense. As we reported earlier this year, FSU wasn’t aggressive at all in the portal this offseason with a nod toward saving its money for something else down the road.
“That something else could be paying some of the near $50 million the school would owe Norvell if he were fired… Fisher, meanwhile, made a fortune from his Texas A&M buyout and could redirect some of the money needed to land a new coach toward investing in the roster.”
Yet, Fisher isn’t the only big-name coach who recently received a huge buyout and is itching to get back into coaching soon.
Brian Kelly should be another Mike Norvell replacement option for FSU
“Another 60-something coaching retread who could find a Power 4 landing spot is former LSU and Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly. The 64-year-old Boston native is very, very motivated to get back on the sidelines,” Feldman wrote.
The report suggests he could be a top candidate to replace Greg Schiano at Rutgers because current school president Bill Tate and athletic director Keli Zinn worked with Kelly at LSU. However, why couldn’t Kelly be an option for Florida State as well?
Yes, his run at LSU did not end well, and he finished with a 48-34 record after four seasons. It wasn’t the results the Tigers hoped for, but certainly not awful numbers like Norvell has put up the last two seasons. Furthermore, Kelly had seven double-digit win years at ND — including two 12-win seasons and a trip to the title game — and he also posted a 34-6 record at Cincinnati.
Of the possible candidates not already tied to a contract with another school, Kelly is one of the elite options on the market.
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