Right after Tokarz is asked to leave Norvell should then tell David Johnson the same exact thing. His coaching of the punt returners for these past 6 years has been abysmal and embarrassing and is grounds alone for his firing.
The first thing I'd like for Norvell to do after signing day is to terminate Tokarz and then bring Chris Weinke to Tallahassee as the QB coach (and new OC if Gus retires). And if he wants to bring Haynes King's backup (Aaron Philo) with him - that would be a bonus. I think that kid is going to be really good at GT if he stays there. I'd prefer he be really good in Tallahassee.
Even though I'm of the opinion that Norvell isn't worthy of being a head coach at a power program, I'm also not upset that he is being retained for the 2026 season. Sellers market for head coaches this cycle. My guess is that Alford's top target(s) to replace Norvell after this season weren't willing to leave their current jobs and therefore smartly didn't elect to take a flyer on a coin-flip chance at success with an unproven head coach. Maybe next year his top target(s) will be more attainable.
Not really impressed that NCSU apparently identified "tells" with FSU's offensive alignments. It's week 13 or something like that. FSU still averaged nearly 6 yards per play with a pathetic QB effort in Raleigh. I would also then assume that Tony White identified "tells" with NCSU's vaunted offense since they only averaged roughly 4 yards per play versus the Noles last Friday night. Maybe the NCSU source should consider spending more time on self-scouting versus trying to identify "tells" with the other teams' offenses.
Norvell isn't possibly restructuring his contract going forward because he loves FSU. He doesn't really know anything about FSU and its history like I do and you do and like he claimed he did when he first arrived in Tallahassee. Anything he does with his contract is due entirely to self-preservation and landing his next job because he is going to get fired from FSU at some point. My take on college football coaches is that that they're some of the most paranoid and selfish individuals in all of sports. Maybe that's how most of them believe they have to be in order to be successful. I doubt that Norvell is any different.
Norvell is NOT a good talent evaluator - particularly when it comes to the most-important position, QB. His high school and transfer QB choices have been horrific. And over his 6 years in Tallahassee - he's had probably about a dozen high school recruits that have actually played meaningful snaps for FSU (basically 2 per season - incredible). In addition - look at his high school recruits that have transferred out. Yes - some of the offensive linemen have gone and played alot elsewhere at the G5 level but none of them will play at the NFL level. Bottom line - his choice of high school recruits has been absolutely awful. And I give him zero credit for identifying "big time" recruits that he ultimately did not sign.
That being said - while including all of those things mentioned earlier in the calculation, FSU and Alford should still budget what is necessary to win the ACC and be in the CFP. They did that this season but ultimately got let down (again) by a G5 head coach in Norvell. Maybe if Alford doubles in 2026 what he spent on the roster in 2025 - then in turn maybe G5 Norvell can possibly double FSU's road wins in 2026. Oh wait, that's not gonna work either. Better triple it
I don't really have a problem with FSU including tuition, etc. in the listed payouts to the players. These so-called student-athletes do need to be aware of everything it takes for them to live the way that they do at FSU in exchange for an incredible time and energy commitment on their part. Heck - put the cost to feed them, medicate them, do surgery on them, train them, take care of their teeth, all of that crap. These so-called student-athletes now want what they're supposedly owed, so it's also time to tell them what their total bill is.
Regardless of whatever the real number is that Alford spent on the 2025 roster on the revenue-sharing portion - guess what? It was absolutely good enough and talented enough for it to be playing in Charlotte next weekend but it won't. Why? Position coaching and a head coach that is possibly the most puckered-up and tightly-wound P5 coach I think I've ever seen on the sideline. So we can debate and question the "real" budget for the 2025 roster but it was still good enough to win EVERY game this season - including against that overrated Miami team.
I listened to your entire podcast like I always do. Well thought out but I think your sources are full of it. If we are to believe that FSU sued the ACC to ultimately get out of this unserious football conference to then turn around and NOT invest in the football program seems nonsensical at best. I simply don't believe that FSU is NOT heavily investing in or will not invest in it heavily for the foreseeable future. I've got a few other "hot takes" on some points that I respectfully disagree with you on.
No objection to you differing with my sources. I can only go with what I’ve gotten from sources on this. If you find better ones who contradict, I’d love to find out what you learn. Feel free to investigate with the best sources possible. #Respect
I wouldn't claim to have better sources than you. Just a little skeptical of the insider info that was passed along but I could be all wrong in that regard.
Right after Tokarz is asked to leave Norvell should then tell David Johnson the same exact thing. His coaching of the punt returners for these past 6 years has been abysmal and embarrassing and is grounds alone for his firing.
The first thing I'd like for Norvell to do after signing day is to terminate Tokarz and then bring Chris Weinke to Tallahassee as the QB coach (and new OC if Gus retires). And if he wants to bring Haynes King's backup (Aaron Philo) with him - that would be a bonus. I think that kid is going to be really good at GT if he stays there. I'd prefer he be really good in Tallahassee.
Even though I'm of the opinion that Norvell isn't worthy of being a head coach at a power program, I'm also not upset that he is being retained for the 2026 season. Sellers market for head coaches this cycle. My guess is that Alford's top target(s) to replace Norvell after this season weren't willing to leave their current jobs and therefore smartly didn't elect to take a flyer on a coin-flip chance at success with an unproven head coach. Maybe next year his top target(s) will be more attainable.
Thanks for listening. Now I gotta listen to your FSU versus Florida game preview episode.
Not really impressed that NCSU apparently identified "tells" with FSU's offensive alignments. It's week 13 or something like that. FSU still averaged nearly 6 yards per play with a pathetic QB effort in Raleigh. I would also then assume that Tony White identified "tells" with NCSU's vaunted offense since they only averaged roughly 4 yards per play versus the Noles last Friday night. Maybe the NCSU source should consider spending more time on self-scouting versus trying to identify "tells" with the other teams' offenses.
Considering that source is retiring after the season, I doubt he’ll be focusing much on self-scouting at that point.
Hah - understood!
Norvell isn't possibly restructuring his contract going forward because he loves FSU. He doesn't really know anything about FSU and its history like I do and you do and like he claimed he did when he first arrived in Tallahassee. Anything he does with his contract is due entirely to self-preservation and landing his next job because he is going to get fired from FSU at some point. My take on college football coaches is that that they're some of the most paranoid and selfish individuals in all of sports. Maybe that's how most of them believe they have to be in order to be successful. I doubt that Norvell is any different.
Norvell is NOT a good talent evaluator - particularly when it comes to the most-important position, QB. His high school and transfer QB choices have been horrific. And over his 6 years in Tallahassee - he's had probably about a dozen high school recruits that have actually played meaningful snaps for FSU (basically 2 per season - incredible). In addition - look at his high school recruits that have transferred out. Yes - some of the offensive linemen have gone and played alot elsewhere at the G5 level but none of them will play at the NFL level. Bottom line - his choice of high school recruits has been absolutely awful. And I give him zero credit for identifying "big time" recruits that he ultimately did not sign.
That being said - while including all of those things mentioned earlier in the calculation, FSU and Alford should still budget what is necessary to win the ACC and be in the CFP. They did that this season but ultimately got let down (again) by a G5 head coach in Norvell. Maybe if Alford doubles in 2026 what he spent on the roster in 2025 - then in turn maybe G5 Norvell can possibly double FSU's road wins in 2026. Oh wait, that's not gonna work either. Better triple it
I don't really have a problem with FSU including tuition, etc. in the listed payouts to the players. These so-called student-athletes do need to be aware of everything it takes for them to live the way that they do at FSU in exchange for an incredible time and energy commitment on their part. Heck - put the cost to feed them, medicate them, do surgery on them, train them, take care of their teeth, all of that crap. These so-called student-athletes now want what they're supposedly owed, so it's also time to tell them what their total bill is.
Also no objection here. I think this should be part of the calculation for every program. But if some are and some aren’t, it’s a disadvantage.
Regardless of whatever the real number is that Alford spent on the 2025 roster on the revenue-sharing portion - guess what? It was absolutely good enough and talented enough for it to be playing in Charlotte next weekend but it won't. Why? Position coaching and a head coach that is possibly the most puckered-up and tightly-wound P5 coach I think I've ever seen on the sideline. So we can debate and question the "real" budget for the 2025 roster but it was still good enough to win EVERY game this season - including against that overrated Miami team.
I agree with this.
I listened to your entire podcast like I always do. Well thought out but I think your sources are full of it. If we are to believe that FSU sued the ACC to ultimately get out of this unserious football conference to then turn around and NOT invest in the football program seems nonsensical at best. I simply don't believe that FSU is NOT heavily investing in or will not invest in it heavily for the foreseeable future. I've got a few other "hot takes" on some points that I respectfully disagree with you on.
No objection to you differing with my sources. I can only go with what I’ve gotten from sources on this. If you find better ones who contradict, I’d love to find out what you learn. Feel free to investigate with the best sources possible. #Respect
I wouldn't claim to have better sources than you. Just a little skeptical of the insider info that was passed along but I could be all wrong in that regard.
Good reason to be skeptical. But I’ll need to hear from even better sources (gonna be tough) to think otherwise.