Florida State coaching candidates: Seven options to replace Mike Norvell, plus two wild-card names to watch

Key Points:

• Florida State has fired head coach Mike Norvell after a sharp decline following an undefeated regular season in 2023, and is now searching for a new coach amid significant athletic department turmoil and financial challenges.
• The program faces over $437 million in athletics-related debt, with buyouts for Norvell and assistants potentially exceeding $65 million, complicating the hiring process and budget for a new coaching staff.
• Seven main coaching candidates have emerged, including Manny Diaz (Duke), Eli Drinkwitz (Missouri), Jake Dickert (Wake Forest), Kenny Dillingham (Arizona State), Jason Eck (New Mexico), Blake Baker (LSU defensive coordinator), and Glenn Schumann (Georgia defensive coordinator), each bringing different strengths and challenges.
• Key considerations for the next hire include balancing salary demands with the program's financial constraints, rebuilding a competitive roster, and restoring Florida State's stature in an ACC landscape increasingly dominated by Miami.
• Additional wildcards include SMU's Rhett Lashlee and former FSU coach Jimbo Fisher, though Lashlee's strong NIL resources and recent contract extension may limit his availability.