Following a tumultuous two seasons for the Florida State football program, the school fired atheltic director Michael Alford on Monday morning.<\/p>\n
The decision comes after another lackluster performance from the Seminoles against SMU<\/a> last week, that also saw the lights go out inside the stadium that should have been seen as a sign of things to come in Tallahassee.<\/p>\n COLLEGE FOOTBALL\u2019S CHAOS ERA IS HERE: TEXAS RALLIES, OREGON FALLS AND LANE KIFFIN EYES RETURN TO OLE MISS<\/a><\/p>\n There have been multiple conversations over the past few weeks regarding the status of Alford, who has been at the forefront of concerns about the direction of the Seminoles athletic department, with fundraising being a major point of concern for officials in this current era of college athletics.<\/p>\n Since the 2023 season, FSU fans have witnessed the football program go 8-13, with the crowd inside Doak Campbell Stadium loudly voicing their displeasure with head coach Mike Norvell<\/a>.<\/p>\n But, the questions loomed as to what, and who, would be making the decision on the future direction of the football program.<\/p>\n COLLEGE FOOTBALL COACHES ON HOT SEAT: BILL BELICHICK, MIKE NORVELL AND OTHERS FACING MAKE-OR-BREAK 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Now, with Michael Alford being fired, and associate AD Bruce Warwick taking over in the interim, it\u2019s clear that the Florida State board of trustees are planning to make further moves.<\/p>\n Even though Alford did not hire Norvell at Florida State, decisions made during his tenure have had a major impact on the Seminoles future.<\/p>\n One of the moves made during his tenure as AD came when Alford helped put together the fundraising for a new $380 million upgrade to Doak Campbell Stadium, while the school has been mid-pack when it comes to a revenue-sharing budget to field a football team.<\/p>\n Currently sitting at 39-35, Norvell is currently sitting on the hottest seat in college football. His record of 8-18 since the infamous 2023 season has left boosters involved with the Florida State athletic department befuddled, also knowing it will cost them upwards of $50 million to fire Norvell if that decision is made.<\/p>\n FROM POWER FAILURES TO MORAL VICTORIES, MONDAY NIGHT COULDN\u2019T HAVE GONE MUCH WORSE FOR FLORIDA STATE FANS<\/a><\/p>\n Monday morning, Florida State Board of Trustees chairman Peter Collins released the following statement on the firing of Alford.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have made significant investments and structural changes in our athletics program and Seminole Boosters over the past few years, but more are needed.\u202fThis step begins the next phase of restructuring that the University must commit to in order to compete in this era of college sports<\/a>.\u202f The President and the Board are in lockstep on the mission and what the results must be.\u201d<\/p>\n If you remember, Florida State also sued its own conference (ACC<\/a>) in 2023 over the binding grant of rights contract, which led to the the league lowering the buyout for member schools, with a full buyout of $75 million being in place following the 2029-2030 year.<\/p>\n Were the Seminoles looking for an exit to the Big Ten<\/a> or SEC? Sure, but if they are planning to garner a significant payday in a future move, the school needs to get its affairs in order.<\/p>\n KEEP AN EYE ON THESE UNDER-THE-RADAR NAMES DURING THIS SEASON\u2019S COLLEGE FOOTBALL COACHING CAROUSEL<\/a><\/p>\n And, that starts with the football program.<\/p>\n Right now, the Seminoles have lost enough ground to other major brands around college football that getting back near the top will be a task in of its own.<\/p>\n