Configure Claude to be the perfect assistant

Master AI-powered content creation

Transform complex data into actionable strategies

Harness Claude’s full potential

Two internal names stand out as logical interim options: associate head coach Odell Haggins, who already served as FSU's interim head coach in both 2017 and 2019, and assistant Tom Herman, a former head coach at Houston, Texas, and Florida Atlantic. Both are already on staff and wouldn't require an external hire to start immediately.

The article pegs FSU's second bye week, which follows an Oct. 17 trip to No. 7 Miami and precedes a Halloween game against Clemson, as the most realistic window for an in-season change, giving an interim coach time to prepare for the stretch run. A blowout loss in Miami would likely intensify the pressure well before that point.

If Norvell survives that stretch, the article suggests the regular-season finale against Florida on Nov. 27 would be the last realistic checkpoint.

USA Today's Craig Myers reported FSU's buyout for Norvell sits at approximately $46.7 million if he's fired before Dec. 1, which would rank as the third-largest in college football history, behind only Texas A&M's $76.8 million payout to Jimbo Fisher and LSU's $54 million to Brian Kelly. That figure doesn't include the cost of replacing coordinators and position coaches who might also turn over.

Johnson told Aggie Yell that his FSU commitment "stands good right now," but added a real condition: "I need them to win though. I need them to ball, every game." Asked directly if FSU winning more will factor into his final decision, he said, "Yeah, probably."

He also pushed back on some of the alarm around his Thursday trip to Miami, saying "they've just been telling me to hold it down … I bleed Florida State," and reaffirmed his relationship with both Mike Norvell ("I love Mike. I hope he can really stay there") and safeties coach Evan Cooper, who he called the actual reason he committed.

Miami's crowded secondary class is now up to six defensive back commitments, according to CaneSport, one more than reported earlier in the week, which keeps the numbers squeeze on Johnson's path to Coral Gables intact. Johnson said he's also looking to visit Auburn in person soon and expects to make a final decision "soon."

Steen is appealing Friday's ruling, according to a Warchant report from FSU's open practice, and there's no clear timeline for how long that process could take. In the meantime, he practiced with the team again despite not technically being one of FSU's 15 scholarship roster members.

Observers noted a more consistent jumper from Steen, who was 0-for-1 from three-point range last season, though he's not expected to be a big part of the perimeter game even if he's ultimately cleared to play.

FSU opens ACC play against Syracuse, Cal, Stanford, and North Carolina, and a 4-0 start isn't far-fetched. Syracuse handed FSU one of its toughest losses a year ago, while Cal and Stanford are a combined 1-2 against the Seminoles over the last two seasons. North Carolina, which has won seven straight in the series, would be the real test to close out the stretch.

FSU is in the middle of a six-game losing streak to Duke but came within a point of the Blue Devils last season, and the timing (Duke plays North Carolina before FSU and Gonzaga shortly after) could work in the Seminoles' favor for a rare win in Durham.

February is the real gauntlet: road trips to NC State and Miami open the month, followed by a home game against Clemson, then Duke, Louisville, Georgia Tech, and Virginia, before closing with Boston College and a home date with Miami, essentially the five best teams in the league packed into one stretch.

Duce Robinson, who caught 56 passes for 1,081 yards a year ago, has just five catches for 75 yards through two games, a pace that would land him around 30 catches and 450 yards for the season. Offensive coordinator Tim Harris Jr. pointed to specific missed connections against SMU, including an early deep shot to Jayvan Boggs that got away when Ashton Daniels was flushed from the pocket.

FSU's passing offense managed just a 0.14 EPA per dropback against SMU, well below the Mustangs' 0.65, and running back Samuel Singleton Jr. still leads the team in receiving with six catches for 94 yards.

FSU's defensive line has just two sacks through two games, and zero against SMU specifically. Neither Mandrell Desir nor Daniel Lyons has recorded a stat-sheet-worthy game up front, and backup tackles Kevin Wynn and Jordan Sanders combined for 32 of 67 snaps against SMU while both grading below 60 on PFF.

FanDuel currently has FSU at +25000 to win the ACC, the same odds the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets carry to win the Super Bowl. Only Boston College and Stanford have worse odds in the conference.

FSU (4-3) ranks second nationally with 387 team assists and fourth with 408 team kills through seven matches, led by senior Kyleene Filimaua, who ranks ninth nationally in points (132) and 14th in service aces (17). The Seminoles rallied from a first-set loss to beat Louisiana 3-1 on Wednesday.

FSU is 25-6 all-time against FIU (9-0 at home) and 5-1 against North Alabama, though Monday will be the first meeting between the two programs inside Tully Gymnasium.

FSU transfer Thomas Castellanos entered Texas Tech's 35-24 win over Oregon State in the red zone and immediately rushed for a touchdown, later starting a series in Red Raiders territory in place of starter Will Hammond. Hammond, who threw for 189 yards and a go-ahead touchdown without an interception, appears to still hold the starting job for now.

Texas Tech offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich has not settled on a clear plan for using both quarterbacks, and how the Red Raiders navigate the situation will be worth tracking as a former Seminole competes for real snaps elsewhere.