Florida State fires athletic director Michael Alford amid football program scrutiny

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida State University fired athletic director Michael Alford without cause Monday as university leaders said the move is part of an effort to position the Seminoles for a rapidly changing college sports landscape.

FSU President Richard McCullough said the university needs to move quickly as college athletics increasingly operates like a major business, particularly in football.

“I think that college sports, especially football, is changing incredibly rapidly,” McCullough said. “And we feel really strongly that we need to put our athletics department in the best possible situation so that we can support the coaches so that they can win.”

Alford had led Florida State athletics since 2021. Senior Associate Athletics Director Bruce Warwick will serve as interim athletic director while the university conducts a national search for Alford’s replacement.

Florida State football coach Mike Norvell thanked Alford and his family for their work with the program.

“Definitely wanted to start off just thanking Michael, Laura, all the work and the time that we had spent together for the last few years,” Norvell said. “Definitely grateful for him and their family.”

Warwick’s appointment will lead to some temporary changes within the football operation, Norvell said.

“There’s going to be some adaptation that we’re going to have to have, just in the time being,” Norvell said. “Everybody’s got to pick up slack a little bit in certain areas, but we’re going to look forward.”

McCullough said the responsibilities of an athletic director have evolved along with the business of college sports.

“These are big businesses now,” McCullough said. “And we are tens upon tens of millions of dollars being invested every year. College football has changed dramatically. And I think that we need to move a little bit faster than we have.”

The university now begins its search for a permanent athletic director who can lead the department through those changes.

Meanwhile, Norvell and the Seminoles will return their focus to the field. Florida State travels to face No. 10 Alabama on Saturday in its first road game of the season following its bye week.

Michael Alford shared a post on ‘X’ thanking the community for its support over the years.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates as more information becomes available.