🏹 October 24th - The Chief Brief 🏹

Between Belief and Buyouts: FSU Faces Its Defining Stretch

Author

The Chief
October 24, 2025

This edition brought to you by:

Forwarded this email from a friend? Subscribe at the button below

Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

Which FSU program impressed you most today?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

TGIF Seminole!

Tallahassee’s holding its breath.

Florida State heads into its second bye week with every corner of the program — from the locker room to the boosters — wrestling with uncertainty.

Head coach Mike Norvell remains in place, but behind the scenes, the conversations are far from quiet. Today’s edition unpacks the tension, the truth, and the turning points that could define the Seminoles’ future.

⚽ Hudson’s Heroics Lift FSU Over No. 3 Virginia
FSU women’s soccer stunned the Cavaliers with an 89th-minute winner — their first top-three victory since 2022 — proving the Seminoles still know how to finish in crunch time.

⚾ Link Jarrett Stays Home
Amid MLB and Tennessee rumors, FSU’s head baseball coach inked a revised deal to stay in Tallahassee — a major win for program stability and momentum.

🏐 Volleyball Returns Home
After a record-breaking road trip, the Noles return to Tully Gym for a four-match stretch — including their annual Paint It Pink game on Sunday.

🏌️‍♂️ Men’s Golf Closes the Fall Season
The No. 22 Seminoles tee off in Georgia for their final fall event, pairing with Georgia Tech and Utah in a stacked national field.

🎾 Men’s Tennis & 🏊‍♀️ Swimming Back in Action
Tennis hits Tuscaloosa for the Crimson Tide Challenge, while FSU Swim & Dive hosts the All-Florida Invite — both chasing late-October momentum.

🏀 Seminoles Shine in the NBA
Scottie Barnes headlines a big opening night for FSU alumni across the league — and the numbers back it up.

🪶 Recruiting Resilience Amid the Chaos
Five-star corner Chauncey “Chuck” Kennon doubles down on his loyalty to FSU — even with rumors swirling — while Norvell and his staff hit the trail to preserve a top-15 class.

🔥 Inside the Uncertainty
Our final story breaks down what’s fact, what’s rumor, and what’s next as FSU’s administration weighs loyalty, leadership, and long-term finances in the midst of one of the most pivotal weeks of the Norvell era.

👉 Buckle up — this edition dives deep into the emotions, money, and movement shaping Florida State right now.

Officially Licensed and Custom Embroidered

The Stadium Speckle takes everything you love about Campus Course polos and adds a fresh speckled design for a modern FSU feel, without being loud.

Add a custom embroidered logo to our debut performance pique for a gameday polo that is uniquely yours.

⚽️ Hudson’s Heroics Lift No. 11 FSU Over No. 3 Virginia, 3–2 ⚽️

Florida State women’s soccer stunned No. 3 Virginia on Thursday night with an 89th-minute game-winner, claiming a 3–2 road victory in Charlottesville — their first top-three regular-season win since 2022.

🔥 Dudley & Hudson Dominate
Junior forward Jordynn Dudley delivered a masterclass with two goals and the assist on the game-winner, while sophomore Wrianna Hudson sealed the win in the final 80 seconds.

  • Dudley: 2 goals, 1 assist, 6 shots — extending her point streak to 12 straight games (team-high 25 points).

  • Hudson: 11th goal of the season, her third game-winner and second straight match-clinching finish.

📊 Battle-Tested Seminoles
The No. 11 Seminoles (9–2–3, 5–2–2 ACC) out-shot Virginia 15–11 (8–5 on target), earning their first top-10 road victory since 2023 and stretching their unbeaten run against UVA to five straight.

💬 Momentum at the Right Time
Thursday’s win capped a brutal 15-day stretch featuring three matches vs. top-three opponents — and FSU’s grit finally paid off. With Wake Forest up next on Senior Day (Oct. 30, 6 p.m. ET, ACC Network), the Seminoles have reestablished themselves as a dangerous postseason threat.

Florida State head baseball coach Link Jarrett — a two-time National Coach of the Year and program alum — has agreed to a revised contract with FSU, reaffirming his commitment amid outside interest from both Tennessee and Major League Baseball.

🔥 Staying Home in Tallahassee
With Tennessee’s Tony Vitello departing to manage the San Francisco Giants, Jarrett’s name surfaced as a top target for the Volunteers — and even drew inquiry from MLB organizations, including the Giants themselves. Instead, Jarrett chose to stay put, with a new deal announced Thursday that “solidifies his commitment to the program.”

💬 Jarrett on the Extension
“FSU’s dedication and support are second to none,” Jarrett said. “I’m humbled and proud to lead Seminole Baseball. We’re continuing to develop elite student-athletes and compete for championships.”

📈 A Program on the Rise
Since taking over in 2022, Jarrett has engineered a remarkable turnaround, posting a 114–64 record (.640), back-to-back Super Regional appearances, and a 2024 College World Series berth.

🏆 Homegrown Leadership
A 1994 FSU graduate, Jarrett played for the Seminoles and married a former FSU cheerleader. Athletic director Michael Alford said it best:

“There’s no better place for Link and his family than Tallahassee… He knows what FSU baseball is all about — and he’s brought it to life.”

Why It Matters: In an era of constant coaching carousel rumors, Jarrett’s decision to stay signals stability and ambition — two traits vital to keeping FSU baseball on a national championship trajectory.

🏐 FSU Volleyball Returns Home for Four-Match Stretch 🏐

Florida State volleyball (9–8, 3–5 ACC) is back in Tallahassee for a crucial two-week homestand, beginning this weekend against Virginia (Friday, 6:30 p.m.) and Virginia Tech (Sunday, 1 p.m.) — both live on ACCNX. Sunday’s matchup marks the program’s annual Paint It Pink match in support of breast cancer awareness.

🔥 Dominant at Home
The Seminoles have historically owned both series — holding a combined 83–20 record against Virginia and Virginia Tech, including 22–4 vs. the Cavaliers and a perfect never-lost mark against the Hokies inside Tully Gym.

💪 Dynamic Duo on Fire
FSU’s offense is powered by Iane Henke and Kyleene Filimaua, who combined for a historic performance at Cal last weekend — the first Seminole duo in nearly 30 years to each record 25+ kills in a single match.

  • Henke: 27 kills, 5.30 points per set (Top 10 nationally)

  • Filimaua: 243 kills, 7 double-doubles this season

🏅 Defensive Backbone
Transfer libero Mio Yamamoto (2023 Sun Belt Libero of the Year) continues to anchor the back row with 232 digs, while freshman Nenu Kpea leads the team in blocks (71).

Why It Matters: After splitting their West Coast trip, the Noles have a chance to gain serious ACC momentum — and their home crowd at Tully Gym could be the spark they need to make a postseason push.

Make sure you have the best car insurance deal by shopping around

With rates rising 20% over the last year, you may be paying way more than you need to on car insurance. Shopping around usually takes minutes and switching providers could save you hundreds a year on your premium, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Check out Money’s Best Car Insurance list today and see if you can save.

🏌️‍♂️ No. 22 FSU Closes Fall Slate at Georgia Collegiate Invitational 🏌️‍♂️

Florida State men’s golf wraps up its fall schedule this weekend at the Golf Club of Georgia Collegiate Invitational (Oct. 24–26) in Alpharetta, Georgia.

🔥 Stacked Field, Familiar Challenge
The No. 22 Seminoles join 13 teams in the event, including six ranked programs and five others receiving national votes. FSU has competed in the tournament nine times since 2006, highlighted by a fourth-place finish in 2015.

⛳ FSU Lineup
Wilmer Edero (9:55 a.m.) leads off, followed by Andrew McLauchlan, Jack Bigham, Jack Whaley, and Tyler Weaver. The Noles will be paired with Georgia Tech and Utah for the opening round, while Carson Brewer competes individually.

Why It Matters: The event marks FSU’s final tune-up before the spring championship push — a chance to close the fall strong and build momentum heading into 2025.

🎾 FSU Men’s Tennis Heads to Alabama for Crimson Tide Fall Challenge 🎾

Florida State men’s tennis is on the road this weekend, competing in the Crimson Tide Fall Challenge in Tuscaloosa, Alabama (Oct. 24–26).

🔥 Seminoles in Action
The Noles will be represented by Azariah Rusher, Oren Ezerzer, Justin Lyons, and Gabriele Brancatelli in the seven-team field. Play begins Friday at 11 a.m. ET in a hidden dual format featuring two doubles and four singles matches per round.

💪 Momentum from Regionals
FSU enters the event following an impressive showing at the ITA Southern Regional, where Luis Felipe Miguel and Erik Schiessl both qualified for the NCAA Championships. Miguel shared the regional singles co-champion title, while he and Schiessl also captured the regional doubles crown, defeating nationally ranked pairs from Miami and FAU.

🏊‍♀️ FSU Hosts All-Florida Invite & Paint It Pink Meet Friday 🏊‍♂️

The No. 18/RV Florida State swimming and diving teams return home this Friday, October 24 at 2 p.m. ET, for the All-Florida Invite at the Morcom Aquatics Center — doubling as the program’s annual Paint It Pink meet in support of breast cancer awareness.

🔥 Home Waters Advantage
Admission is free for all 2025–26 home meets. The Seminole women will face West Florida, North Florida, and Florida Southern, while the men take on Florida Southern.

💪 Momentum Builders
FSU’s men’s squad enters ranked No. 18 nationally, while the women sit just outside the Top 25. The Noles are coming off a solid showing at the Dual Meet Tournament in Atlanta, where Kayleigh Clark earned ACC Diver of the Week honors after four event wins.

🏆 What’s Next
The All-Florida Invite marks FSU’s second home meet of the season after opening with 32 event victories at the FSU Invite. The Seminoles will host South Carolina next Friday, Oct. 31 at noon.

🏀 FSU Alumni Shine on NBA Opening Night 🏀

Florida State was well-represented across the NBA’s Opening Night slate, with several former Seminoles making immediate impacts for their teams.

🔥 Scottie Barnes – Toronto Raptors
Barnes opened his season in dominant fashion, leading the Raptors to a 138–118 win over Atlanta.

  • 22 points (9-of-14 FG, 4-of-4 FT)

  • 6 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal
    Barnes’ all-around performance set the tone as Toronto’s centerpiece in Year 4.

⚡ Terance Mann – Brooklyn Nets
In his debut with the Nets’ 136–117 win over Charlotte, Mann scored 13 points in just under 20 minutes.

  • 4-of-6 FG, 2-of-3 from three, 3-of-3 FT

  • Added 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal — an efficient, high-energy outing.

🌀 Devin Vassell – San Antonio Spurs
Vassell contributed across the board in a 125–92 blowout win over Dallas.

  • 13 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals
    The former FSU sharpshooter continues to emerge as one of San Antonio’s key two-way players.

💪 Patrick Williams – Chicago Bulls
Williams logged 17 minutes in the Bulls’ 115–111 win over Detroit, posting:

  • 4 points (1-of-2 FG, 1-of-2 FT)

  • 4 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 steal

✨ Jonathan Isaac – Orlando Magic
Isaac played limited minutes (7:02) in the Magic’s 125–121 win over Miami, finishing with 1 rebound and 1 steal.

🚫 Jamir Watkins – Washington Wizards
The rookie was inactive but remains part of the Wizards’ two-way roster with G League affiliate Capital City Go-Go.

🪶 Five-Star Commit Chauncey “Chuck” Kennon Reaffirms Loyalty to FSU Amid Turbulence 🪶

Despite Florida State’s recent four-game skid, five-star cornerback Chauncey “Chuck” Kennon remains firmly committed to the Seminoles — citing loyalty, faith in the program, and his bond with head coach Mike Norvell as reasons he’s staying put.

🔥 Unshaken by the Slide
“Nah, it doesn’t really affect my recruiting,” Kennon told Noles247. “Most people just point out the bad — but there’s good too. There’s pros and cons to everything.”
The Sarasota (Fla.) Booker standout said he was relieved when athletic director Michael Alford announced Norvell would remain through the end of the season, calling it the right move for stability.

💬 Loyal Through the Lows
“I try to keep everything positive,” Kennon said. “Loyalty is there, so I’m going to show it — even through the hard times. I believe they’re going to bounce back even harder.”

Kennon also defended the team’s talent, saying, “They beat Bama. The talent’s not a problem — it’s just something not clicking right now.”

🔒 Fully Locked In
Kennon hasn’t entertained other offers and says schools know not to bother — partly because he has an FSU tattoo. “It’s tatted on me, so people know that’s for real,” he said.

Even if a coaching change were to occur, Kennon insists his commitment won’t waver:
“I’m a Seminole fan at the end of the day. I love Florida State. No matter the coaching staff, I’d still be where I’m at.”

📊 The Prospect Profile
At 6'1", 175 pounds, Kennon ranks as the No. 28 overall player and No. 2 cornerback in the 2026 class (247Sports) — making him FSU’s highest-rated commit and a cornerstone for the Seminoles’ future defensive core.

🪶 Norvell Stresses Stability as FSU Coaches Hit the Recruiting Trail 🪶

Florida State’s bye week usually signals an all-out recruiting push — but this year, it comes amid turbulence. Riding a four-game losing streak and persistent questions about job security, Mike Norvell and his staff are back on the road, selling belief in the program’s long-term vision despite mounting external pressure.

🔥 “We’ve Got a Great Signing Class”
Norvell maintained confidence in his top-15 ranked 2026 recruiting class, emphasizing that his commits remain engaged.

“We’ve got a great group of guys that believe in us and what we’re doing,” Norvell said. “Even with the disappointing results, I’ve gotten more positive messages and phone calls than ever.”

He added that recruits understand the ups and downs of football — and many want to be part of the turnaround story.

💬 The Pitch Hasn’t Changed
While rival schools are undoubtedly using FSU’s recent struggles as leverage, Norvell insists the Seminoles’ message remains consistent: opportunity, development, and early playing time.

“We’re a young team. We play a lot of true freshmen because they’ve earned it,” he said. “Our recruits see that opportunity too.”

🔍 Reality Check
The Seminoles’ recruiting narrative now hinges on stability — both real and perceived. With no coaching changes planned before season’s end, Norvell and his staff are racing to hold together a class that still ranks among the ACC’s best.

Why It Matters: Amid uncertainty, Norvell’s approach is clear — lean on relationships, reinforce opportunity, and convince recruits that belief is still warranted in Tallahassee.

🔥 Inside the Uncertainty: What’s Really Going on with FSU Football Leadership 🔥

As Florida State enters its second bye week mired in a four-game losing streak, the uncertainty surrounding Mike Norvell’s future has reached a boiling point. With conflicting signals from administration, donor hesitation, and a fractured locker room, the picture in Tallahassee remains anything but clear.

💣 What We Know

  • Mike Norvell remains FSU’s head coach through the bye week — for now.

  • Firing discussions happened. Following the loss to Stanford, boosters were re-contacted about funding a buyout. Interest was higher than after the Pitt loss but still short of the needed total.

“There’s no one coming to save us financially,” one source told Noles247.

  • Several assistants expected to be fired early in the week but were told to continue operating “business as usual.”

  • Decision-making power lies with AD Michael Alford, BOT Chair Peter Collins, and President Richard McCullough.

  • Despite Alford’s public statement of support, the language is not binding — another blowout or bad loss could still trigger an in-season change.

  • Frustration is mounting internally after heavy investments in staff salaries, facilities, and a $20M+ roster budget haven’t translated into wins.

🧠 What’s Believed

  • Alford already has a short list of 5–8 potential replacements if the season continues spiraling.

  • Financial restraint looms regardless of who leads in 2026. Even if a new coach is hired, FSU’s next era will demand stricter NIL budgeting and targeted roster spending.

  • Some within FSU suspect Alford’s public comments about a “salary cap” were strategic positioning rather than belief in its enforceability — but the message is clear: money won’t flow endlessly.

⚔️ Locker Room Pulse

Reports indicate a divided locker room.

  • One player said Norvell has “lost” the team.

  • A defensive source described players as “generally disengaged.”

  • However, others — including leaders like Tommy Castellanos and Duce Robinson — remain fully bought in.

  • Practices this week included multiple player fights, which some viewed as passion and others as frustration.

“It’s reasonable to have varying perspectives,” one insider said. “There’s merit to the idea of guys checking out — but it’s not unanimous.”

💰 The Money Question

If Norvell is ultimately fired, FSU would owe over $50 million in buyouts between staff and assistants.
Possible funding avenues — like stadium naming rights or creative financing — have been floated but remain speculative at best.
For now, Alford and FSU’s leadership appear unwilling to stretch their financial limits again after years of aggressive investment.

🧩 The Open Questions

  • Can Norvell still rally the team to make the season salvageable?

  • If he’s retained, what reforms would restore trust with fans and boosters?

  • Could FSU bring in a “football czar” or overseer to manage personnel and structure if Norvell stays? One source suggested this is rumored but under discussion.

Why It Matters:
FSU finds itself caught between financial caution and competitive desperation. With donor confidence waning, internal tensions rising, and the program’s trajectory uncertain, the next few weeks could determine not just Norvell’s fate — but the Seminoles’ direction for the rest of the decade.

And that’s a wrap!

The bye week brings more questions than answers in Tallahassee. While the scoreboard says 3–4, the stories behind the scenes paint a more complicated picture — one of loyalty, leverage, and looming change. From Link Jarrett’s commitment to the chaos around Mike Norvell, this is the moment that tests what Florida State truly stands for: stability or a reset.

Whatever happens next, one thing’s for certain — the noise isn’t going away.

Thanks for reading The Chief Brief — where Seminoles come for clarity when things get murky.
Stay locked in, stay loyal, and we’ll see you Monday. 🍢

— Chief

How'd we do?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.