Florida State’s coaching drama extended well beyond public speculation this fall, and it included a late push to lure Lane Kiffin away from Ole Miss, according to a report from ESPN's Mark Schlabach.
FSU ultimately retained head coach Mike Norvell despite a disappointing 5-7 season, a decision widely linked to the program’s reluctance to trigger Norvell’s hefty buyout. Firing him would have cost the Seminoles roughly $58.7 million, with another $20 million required to clear out his assistants. But behind the scenes, athletic director Michael Alford explored a far more ambitious plan.
Schlabach reported that Alford quietly attempted to “woo” Kiffin in November. The two were tied to their days at USC, where Alford served as associate athletic director during Kiffin’s stint as a position coach.
There wouldn’t have been a barrier with money. Sources told ESPN that hiring the market’s hottest coach could have justified the roughly $78 million needed to dismiss Norvell and his staff.
Florida and LSU were publicly viewed as the primary contenders for Kiffin, who ultimately landed in Baton Rouge after LSU finalized Brian Kelly’s own $54 million buyout. But Florida State’s pursuit reportedly continued into late last month, even as Norvell met the media hinting at staff changes following a 40-21 loss to Florida.
Once it became clear Kiffin wasn’t coming, FSU announced on Nov. 23 that Norvell would return for a seventh season. While the Seminoles had the resources to fire him, they were only willing to make that move if Kiffin showed interest.
With the courtship unsuccessful, Florida State is banking on Norvell to lifting the program in 2026. One more shot as opposed to a costly reset without a guaranteed upgrade.
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