Florida State caught the college football world by surprise on Monday morning by firing athletics director Michael Alford.
Alford, who was hired away from Central Michigan, had held his title with the Seminoles since 2021. He did not hire head football coach Mike Norvell, though he did sign him to the notorious eight-year, $84 million contract extension ahead of the 2024 season.
His dismissal came at the tail end of Florida State's bye week after its Labor Day loss to SMU. The Seminoles travel to Tuscaloosa for a rematch against Alabama on Saturday.
The timing of the decision is certainly eyebrow-raising, and it doesn't bode well for Norvell's future in Tallahassee.
Norvell entered the 2026 campaign on one of the hottest seats in America after FSU
went just 7-17 over the last two seasons. With a loss already on the books, it doesn't look like the Seminoles are poised to return to their pre-2024 form this fall.
Many assumed Norvell and Alford's fates were tied together. With the latter gone, that may mean Norvell's protection is, as well.
It seems unlikely that Florida State would make this move if it weren't gearing up for a football coaching change. After the disastrous Norvell extension, the school clearly did not want to see Alford hire Norvell's successor.
Now, it will look to install a new AD in time to decide Norvell's future and, if needed, make a replacement hire.
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This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Florida State firing AD could spell doom for Mike Norvell
