EJ Manuel believes Mike Norvell should continue to call plays for Florida State

The 2024 season went sideways for the Florida State Seminoles. With that, head coach Mike Norvell has now been tasked with finding a way to turn things around for next season. One possible change includes giving up playing calling responsibilities.

Former Florida State quarterback and current analyst EJ Manuel is aware that Mike Norvell could give up play calling duties. However, he doesn’t feel it would be the right move for the Seminoles.

“I don’t think he should give up calling plays,” EJ Manuel said on the College GameDay Podcast. “Because if you think of two seasons ago when Florida State got back to winning 10-plus games. I think they won the bowl game over Oklahoma. Coach Norvell was calling plays that year. Before that, it was Kenny Dillingham who is now the head coach at Arizona State, having a great year as well, going to a bowl, and it’s awesome.”

While Florida State is just 1-9 this season, the Seminoles are coming off two highly successful seasons, including an ACC Championship. That was, importantly, with Jordan Travis at quarterback, which is a position that the Seminoles have struggled to find consistency this season.

“But I felt like Coach Norvell and Jordan Travis, and I mention Jordan Travis because he had a dude at quarterback,” Manuel said. “He had an eraser. A guy that can make those plays. They were on the same page. For whatever reason, it just seemed like there was no telepathy with Coach Norvell and DJU or even these two other young quarterbacks.”

Throughout his career, Mike Norvell has leaned on his offenses. However, the Seminoles have struggled offensively throughout the 2024 season. Through 10 games, the Seminoles are 134th out of 134 FBS teams in scoring offense while averaging just 13.3 points per game. Florida State is also 132nd in total offense, averaging just 258.9 yards per game.

“So, I would say no. I think that would be an overreaction, in fact,” Manuel said. “Yeah, you can hire a coordinator but I still believe in Coach Norvell’s ability to call plays because he’s called good plays. Guys have dropped balls and guys haven’t made the throws. That’s, ultimately, what it’s come down to, execution.”

Florida State has already made some major changes. That includes moving on from offensive coordinator Alex Atkins. Finding a new offensive coordinator is going to be a major task for Mike Norvell and, depending on whether or not the coordinator will call plays will likely play a role in who is interested in the job.