Paul Finebaum weighs in on Mike Norvell hot seat, potential of Deion Sanders to FSU

Paul Finebaum didn’t mince words in evaluating Florida State’s falloff from 2023 to 2024 under Mike Norvell, and how Deion Sanders can fit into their future.

The Seminoles have been the most disappointing team in all of college football this season, as they’re currently 1-9 after going undefeated during the regular season last year. Finebaum put it all into perspective, believing it’s been a historic campaign for all the wrong reason in Tallahassee.

“It is the biggest fall-off in college football history,” Finebaum said, regarding Florida State’s demise, via The Matt Barrie Show. “I mean Michigan, they lost their head coach. Three to five losses were projected. Three would’ve been great, four likely, five disappointing. But Florida State was a top ten team when the season began, there’s no excuse for that. Mike Norvell has literally lost all of the goodwill he had from a year ago. It’s gone.”

While Norvell chose to stay at Florida State over some other big name positions following their undefeated, ACC championship-winning season, he may be on the chopping block after the Seminoles’ historic 2024 collapse.

If he does get handed a pink slip, Finebaum knows an exciting, up-and-coming coach who also doubles as perhaps the greatest player to ever grace the field for Florida State.

“We’ve both watched a lot of schools bring back their favorite son,” Finebaum stated, regarding a potential return to Florida State for Sanders. “Deion couldn’t get a phone call from Florida State a couple of years ago, but in fairness, what had he done? Now, I mean, he’s one of the hottest coaches in the country. A lot of people were wrong, but that doesn’t matter. That’s who Deion is, he proves people wrong. He’s also arguably the most famous football player to ever step foot in that stadium, and that’s including a lot of people, by the way.

“It’s inconceivable, or is it, that Florida State would say, ‘Deion, we want you back. Mike Norvell, we’re sorry. We think you’re a great guy. Here’s your buyout. Catch you later.’ Florida State, a year ago, was talking to all the Wall Street banks about buying their way out of the ACC. They have no credibility now. They need an infusion, more than any program in this country.”

When Norvell was originally hired by Florida State, Sanders might not have had the resume to get the job, but that’s all changed since Coach Prime took over Colorado. The Buffaloes are firmly in the College Football Playoff mix, and the timing could work out perfectly for Sanders, if he wants to return to Tallahassee.

Alas, it’s not guaranteed Florida State will move on from Mike Norvell, but if they decide to do so, Paul Finebaum believes Deion Sanders should be their top option, and it’s tough to argue with that sentiment.