FSU Football: Turbulent Times and the Coach Who’s Staying Put
In a surprising move last month, Florida State University announced its decision to retain head football coach Mike Norvell, despite the team’s disappointing 5-7 record. This announcement sparked a pointed reaction from one of the school’s most celebrated alumni, Jameis Winston. The former FSU star quarterback and current New York Giants player took to social media to express his frustration with the state of the program he once led to national glory. In a message shared on X (formerly Twitter), Winston congratulated FSU’s women’s soccer team on winning their fifth championship while simultaneously delivering a subtle jab at the struggling football program, writing: “Thank you @FSUSoccer for you consistently being our best football team over the years!”
Winston’s comment carries particular weight given his own stellar record at FSU. During his time in Tallahassee, Winston compiled an impressive 27-1 record, led the team to a Bowl Championship Series national championship, and won the prestigious Heisman Trophy in 2013. His remarkable college career culminated in his selection as the first overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. The contrast between Winston’s era of dominance and the program’s current struggles couldn’t be more stark. In the eleven seasons since Winston’s departure, FSU has managed a respectable but far less impressive 76-60 record, with Norvell achieving only two winning seasons during his six-year tenure.
The 2025 season began with tremendous promise for the Seminoles, opening with a stunning upset victory over powerhouse Alabama. The momentum continued with wins in their next two games, creating excitement for a potential breakthrough season with their 3-0 start. However, what followed was a deflating four-game losing streak that crushed those early hopes. The program’s recent struggles extend beyond just this season – Florida State has gone a troubling 7-16 over the past two years and has failed to win a single road game during that span. These statistics paint a picture of a once-proud program that has lost its way, struggling to recapture its former glory in an increasingly competitive college football landscape.
Despite these concerning trends, FSU’s administration has chosen stability over change. Florida State President Richard McCullough addressed the decision in a statement, acknowledging that improvements are necessary while expressing confidence in Norvell’s leadership. “Coach Norvell embraces our support in that process and agrees that success must be achieved. He continues to demonstrate an unwavering belief in this program’s future, and so do we,” McCullough stated. The president emphasized that the decision represents “a unified commitment to competing in the rapidly evolving landscape of college football, while maintaining continuity within the program.”
The contrast between FSU’s struggling football program and its highly successful women’s soccer team – which Winston highlighted in his comment – is indeed striking. The soccer team has established itself as a true dynasty in collegiate sports, claiming NCAA championships in 2018, 2021, 2023, and most recently in 2025. Their consistent excellence provides a blueprint for what sustainable success looks like at the highest level of collegiate athletics, something the football program once exemplified but now aspires to recapture.
As Florida State moves forward with Norvell at the helm, the program faces mounting pressure to reverse its fortunes and return to national relevance. For a school with such rich football tradition, the current struggles are particularly painful for alumni like Winston and the passionate fanbase that remembers the glory days. The administration’s vote of confidence in Norvell suggests they believe the foundation for a turnaround exists, but patience may be wearing thin. The coming seasons will be crucial in determining whether this decision to maintain continuity proves wise or if more dramatic changes will eventually be necessary to restore Florida State football to its former heights.
