An update on FSU’s coaching search, with one candidate no longer on the table
The search for Florida State’s next football coach won’t end until at least this weekend, according to the Tallahassee Democrat.
The Seminoles fired head coach Willie Taggart on Nov. 3 following a loss to rival Miami.
Penn State’s James Franklin, Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly and Memphis’ Mike Norvell are reportedly the top candidates.
Iowa State’s Matt Campbell was previously among FSU’s top choices, but the Cyclones announced Tuesday he signed an extension to stay at the school. It came one day after he reportedly told players in a team meeting he was adamant about staying.
Penn State and Notre Dame’s seasons are over until the bowl games. Norvell is coaching Memphis in the American Athletic Conference championship game this weekend.
On Monday, the Democrat reported the search was expected to end early this week. With the latest report extending the search to the weekend, where Norvell is coaching, has heightened the speculation that the Memphis coach will be named FSU’s next coach.
Norvell was trending on social media Tuesday morning with several FSU fans tweeting about the possibility of Norvell being hired.
Football Scoop hinted at Norvell’s hiring, too, on Monday.
FSU finished the regular season 6-6 after Saturday’s 40-17 rivalry loss to Florida. Longtime assistant Odell Haggins is in his second stint as the Seminoles interim head coach. He served in that capacity after Jimbo Fisher left for Texas A&M prior to FSU hiring Taggart. Haggins was undefeated in the interim role before Saturday’s loss, and FSU players took to social media in November expressing their desire for him to be named the head coach.
Taggart’s dismissal came less than two years on the job, and he has a roughly $18 million buyout. That buyout could see some litigation issues arise as it was reported that Taggart and the school never signed an official contract. Instead, they had a signed agreement the day he was announced as the Seminoles new head coach.
This story was originally published December 3, 2019 at 11:50 AM.
