On the surface, this should be one of the best jobs in the market. It\u2019s in the group of schools that are either blueblood or blueblood-adjacent, have a history of recent success as proof you can win here, quality new facilities and a great location in a talent-rich part of the country. However, there will be some real conversations between potential coaches and Florida State about just how willing the school is to invest in the roster like ACC peers, such as Miami, have done. Finances are viewed as tight even before paying Norvell\u2019s massive buyout. The candidate pool will largely be determined by how well the administration can address that concern in an era where roster spending is one of the driving forces<\/a> behind most CFP contenders.\u00a0<\/p>\n So, who could the Seminoles turn to? Here are 12 candidates who may be a fit at Florida State.<\/p>\n Jake Dickert, Wake Forest head coach<\/p>\n Florida State doesn\u2019t need to overthink this: Hire the proven winner in the ACC who knows how to get the most out of a roster even if it isn\u2019t the most expensive in the league. Dickert\u2019s defensive background will surely appeal after three straight offensive-minded head coaches have followed Bobby Bowden. He\u2019s shown he can turn around programs in a hurry after stints at Washington State and with the Demon Deacons.<\/p>\n Manny Diaz, Duke head coach<\/p>\n An alum who won an ACC title at Duke of all places would tick off just about every box you would want if you\u2019re Florida State. Diaz understands what works and what doesn\u2019t in Tallahassee and could probably bring quite a few players with him to help the rebuilding effort in 2027.<\/p>\n Duke head coach Manny Diaz won an ACC title with the Blue Devils. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State head coach<\/p>\n Dillingham doesn\u2019t want to leave his alma mater but if ever an opening could get school officials at Arizona State nervous, it might be this job popping up after the past few years of the coach complaining about resources. The former Seminoles assistant would be a great fit here if he can be convinced he\u2019ll get what it takes to truly compete for multiple rounds of the CFP.\u00a0<\/p>\n Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri head coach<\/p>\n Would Drinkwitz be content being a small fish in the big pond of the SEC like he is in his current job or would he prefer being the big fish in a smaller pond of the ACC like he would at Florida State? He\u2019s been given a lot of support by the Tigers and hasn\u2019t broken through given how competitive the league is, but could have a path to regular CFP bids and a much bigger name brand with the Seminoles.\u00a0<\/p>\n Jason Eck, New Mexico head coach<\/p>\n Eck is going to get a call from every school this cycle after winning at New Mexico and getting the Lobos firmly into the Group of 6 discussion. There may be some questions over where he will be able to handle a massive job like Florida State and all the administrative headaches that may come with it, but his affable personality and fun offense would elevate the program quickly.<\/p>\n Dan Mullen, UNLV head coach<\/p>\n No stranger to the Sunshine State from his time in charge at Florida, Mullen would be a proven option who would need little time to get up to speed on what needs to be done at Florida State. He\u2019s a top notch play-caller and if there\u2019s enough support staff around him to help with talent acquisition, would be a great fit.<\/p>\n Lance Taylor, Western Michigan head coach<\/p>\n Taylor grew up not too far away from the Florida Panhandle and is one of the best young coaches available this cycle. His teams play hard, he has the process to turn a program into a winner down pat and would bring in a jolt of energy right away.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Charles Huff, Memphis<\/p>\n Huff has recruited all over and has been a successful head coach at every one of his recent stops. His big knock is likely to be Florida State hiring a second straight Memphis coach, but Huff is set for a major Power 4 gig soon and there\u2019s no reason that can\u2019t be this one given his background and recent success.\u00a0<\/p>\n Memphis head coach Charles Huff has been successful at every stop thus far and could be in line to make the jump. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n Shannon Dawson, Miami offensive coordinator<\/p>\n Finding a bright offensive mind to run the show while also hampering an in-state rival might be the best of both worlds for the Seminoles. Dawson has seen up close what it takes to turnaround an ACC program during his time in Coral Gables, Fla., and that might be worth taking the chance on somebody who doesn\u2019t have prior head coaching experience.<\/p>\n Bryant Haines, Indiana defensive coordinator<\/p>\n If Florida State truly wants to go in a different direction from Norvell, hiring Haines would be that kind of move. He\u2019s a fiery personality who brings a bit of an edge and snagging any bit of that Indiana pixie dust<\/a> is something plenty of programs are going to be after this offseason.<\/p>\n Glenn Schumann, Georgia defensive coordinator<\/p>\n It would take a marquee job to get the interest of Schumann to leave Athens, Ga., and Florida State would qualify. He would provide plenty of order as a Nick Saban\/Kirby Smart disciple and the ability to recruit high-level defenders and lean on the high school ranks should be appealing to the Seminoles.\u00a0<\/p>\n Brian Kelly, former LSU coach<\/p>\n Yes, Jimbo Fisher\u2019s name is going to come up plenty in terms of a potential return to Tallahassee but his messy exit to Texas A&M will almost certainly be held against him by those who remain at the school. Kelly, on the other hand, could be a short-term option that isn\u2019t prohibitively expensive and this is just the caliber of job he would be thrilled to be in the mix for.\u00a0<\/p>\n PODCAST: Listen to Sports Illustrated\u2019s college sports podcast, Others Receiving Votes, hosted by Pat Forde, on Apple<\/a> and Spotify<\/a>. Watch the show on SI\u2019s college YouTube channel<\/a> or on SI TV<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Duke](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/01m6cfamtbk0yk90gzr6.jpg\" "\\"Duke")
<\/p>\n![\"Memphis](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/01m6cfcjvmbdt866kfs7.jpg\" "\\"Memphis")
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