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5 Florida State head coach candidates after Mike Norvell's firing, including 1 old friend

Florida State’s firing of head coach Mike Norvell after a dismal 2024 season—marked by just two wins and six losses by 16+ points—has opened a high-profile search for his replacement. Norvell’s tenure, which began with a 13-0 start in 2023 and an $84 million contract extension, ended abruptly following a humiliating loss to Clemson, underscoring the Seminoles’ struggles to regain their footing in the ACC.

The program now faces a $50 million buyout, leaving little financial flexibility to rebuild the roster while also attracting a new leader. Among the top candidates are Manny Diaz, Duke’s ACC champion coach with back-to-back nine-win seasons, and Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State’s rising star who led the Sun Devils to an 11-game campaign and Big 12 title in 2024.

Tony Elliott, Virginia’s 2025 ACC Coach of the Year, also draws interest, while Jeff Traylor’s success at Texas-San Antonio—including six bowl berths in seven years—could appeal to a program needing efficiency on and off the field. Jimbo Fisher, the former Florida State coach, remains a name to watch as the search intensifies.

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