From an invincible season to the depths of the abyss. A storied program of the FSU Seminoles’ ilk cannot afford blips like the one they just had. 2-10, bottom of the ACC, and no respite whatsoever. HC Mike Norvell took the onus upon himself to change course and made a personal sacrifice in the backwash of the season. Yet, this sacrifice isn’t quite bearing out as advertised. Florida State has been getting busy in the transfer portal, as was requisite. However, there are still glaring omissions.

FSU entered this season 10th in the national preseason poll. Things appeared on track for another successful year. What transpired was an unmitigated disaster. It’s debatable whether he made this decision owing to external pressure, internal condemnation, or both. But Mike Norvell did something almost unprecedented, at least to this scale. Norvell agreed to a restructuring of his contract for one year. He proceeded to pledge $4.5 million of his salary back to Florida State. For context, that is about half of his $10 million annual salary, the 6th highest across the FBS. 

This money went towards Florida State’s Vision of Excellence fundraising campaign. The campaign aims to bolster the school’s NIL arsenal, with the revenue-sharing era and the House Settlement impending. This boost in NIL funds should’ve, in theory, expedited the Seminoles’ comeback toward the upper echelons. However, their transfer portal moves so far have left two fans/insiders underwhelmed. They expressed which positions are their biggest concerns. Both had different answers, which goes to show there’s work still to be done.

On ‘The Jeff Cameron Show’ over at FSU-Warchant TV Youtube channel, Jeff and his co-host were tossing around the idea: If they could add a player from the portal for any position on the field, which one would they go after first? “I want another defensive tackle. I want another monster…I do worry about us being able to hold up without enough depth on the defensive line right now. So that’s an area I’d like to see improved. ” said Cameron. FSU has already signed 4 D-linemen. Cameron was otherwise satisfied with the incomings relative to expectation. He acknowledged that a 2-10 team isn’t going straight back to the top after one off-season. His co-host had a different concern, albeit on the same side of the football.

“For me, it’s safety. I don’t trust any of these guys. Not yet. [For some it’s lack of experience. Some, I just don’t know.” he said. He name-dropped Earl Little Jr. as the only player he’s convinced about at safety. The hiring of new safeties coach Evan Cooper is a positive by all accords. However, these concerns beg the question- did Mike Norvell make a futile sacrifice?

Mike Norvell and his risky call need more breathing room before a verdict

It’ll be rather disingenuous to say that Mike Norvell giving up $4.5 million didn’t make a difference. For starters, it’s too early to say. As aforementioned, even the most ardent of fans who’ve got their pulse on Seminoles’ football know this fractured team won’t heal this quickly. Plus, there is one intangible facet that can’t quite be measured.

The move Norvell made is bound to have changed the psychology and mood around the campus. Seeing your HC do this has got to instill confidence and belief within fans, players, and stakeholders alike. Their new portal signees see a figurehead who cares about the health of the program and is not shying away from taking responsibility for their perilous season.

Mike Norvell, whether forced into it or by his own accord, made a decision not many could. He’ll sink or swim with the repercussions. FSU did go 12-0 under him. Norvell is capable of navigating through this adversity. He’ll just seek to retool his roster as well as possible before embarking on this salvation tour.