FSU head coach Mike Norvell was a hot topic last year after leading the team to a perfect 13-0 regular season and securing their first ACC title in a decade. Just months later, he considered leaving FSU for the Alabama job.
That mix of achievements earned him a significant contract extension, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in the country. He also appeared on every top coaching list heading into the 2024 season, with FSU ranked No. 10 in the preseason.
Just three months later, FSU had a 2-10 record, and Norvell likely would have been fired if not for the hefty buyout in his new extension.
Norvell replaced both coordinators with experienced veterans who have proven success. Despite the 2-10 season, FSU brought in skilled players from both high school recruiting and the transfer portal. Heading into the 2025 season, they will be one of the most talented teams in the ACC.
However, at least two rankings no longer include Mike Norvell among the nation’s top 25 coaches.
I don’t have many issues with these lists, but I can’t understand why Brian Kelly keeps getting overrated. Some of the reasoning behind certain coach rankings makes absolutely no sense—Deion Sanders is not a top-10 coach.
He’s not an elite recruiter (despite one person ranking him for that reason), has just a 13-12 record at the Power 4 level, and failed to defeat a ranked team in 2024.
I’m a big fan of Kenny Dillingham, but he has a 14-12 record overall and is 9-9 in the Big 12 over the past two seasons. He had a fantastic 2024 season, but ASU went 3-9 in 2023. While that’s an impressive turnaround, it might be premature to place him in the top 25—though I’d rank him above Deion.
We’re including Sherrone Moore in the top 25 after just one 8-5 season as head coach? And what about Lincoln Riley—does he still make these lists despite getting worse each year and not winning anything? His record has declined from 11-2 to 8-5 to 7-6.
Lance Leipold is ranked in the top 20 on both lists? Over the past four years, he’s 22-28 as a head coach with three losing seasons. I understand he’s coaching at Kansas, but if he were truly elite, bigger programs would be pursuing him.
Mario Cristobal hasn’t even reached the ACC Championship game and has just a 22-16 overall record, going 12-12 in the ACC over the past three years.
As an FSU fan, I fully acknowledge that Mike Norvell’s 2-10 season is entirely on him. However, are we just going to ignore his 23-3 regular season record in 2022-23 and a conference championship? I wouldn’t rank him in the top 10 after last year, but he’s certainly a better coach than several names on these lists.
The good news? He has a chance to prove it in 2025.
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