The Florida State coaching search is not yet underway, nor will it be for some time, but already numerous targets have emerged. Everyone from Brian Kelly to Jake Dickert to Manny Diaz has been named as a potential candidate for the job, but there is one issue with many of the people who have been named.
There is just one problem for Florida State at the moment, and that involves the administration, vacant athletic director position, and imminent roster turnover. The program is not exactly in the best spot, and many coaches like Dickert, who are already working on a rebuild of their own, likely do not want to jump over to Tallahassee. The people who would consider, like Kelly, are not going to do so without requiring a hefty contract.
Florida State needs to strike a balance between finding someone who can effectively improve the program without overspending or wasting time chasing after someone who will not take the job. Here are four possible candidates that the administration could consider, given the current circumstances.
An Expert in the Trenches: Toledo HC Mike Jacobs
After building the Toledo Rockets for what felt like forever, coach Jason Candle took over the UConn Huskies and left the Rockets with plenty of vacancies. There was plenty of discourse over who the next coach would be, and Toledo ultimately settled on hiring Jacobs away from Mercer.
In his first season with the Rockets, Jacobs has hit the ground running with a record of 6-2. This shouldn't come as a surprise, however, as Jacobs came to Toledo with a career record of 94-23 at the FCS and Division II levels. The former offensive lineman turned coach has done nothing but win, and an 8-3 record in his worst-ever finish in a season.
The reality for Florida State during this search is that the more money spent on a coach and his staff, the less money that can be spent on the roster. Even with renewed support for the football program, the cost of putting together the staff could become expensive quickly. Enter Jacobs, and Florida State might be able to get head coaching experience at a lower price.
Jacobs would obviously get a raise for joining an ACC program, but Florida State wouldn't need to break the bank. It is a small price to pay for a winning background, a proven ability to recruit, and exceptional line play on offense and defense.
The Crown Jewel: Georgia DC Glenn Schumann
Everyone knows him, every Florida State fan loves him, and the only thing likely holding him back from the job is himself. Schumann has had the chance to jump ship and begin to coach on his own multiple times over the past few years, but each time, Schumann returns to work under Kirby Smart.
It has felt like Schumann could seemingly leave for a new job whenever he wants to, but the cards have not exactly been in his favor. The defensive coordinator interviewed for the North Carolina job previously, but lost to Bill Belichick, which is frankly something he will never have to face again. There are a few jobs already open and likely more to come, but there are limited options genuinely being considered.
Schumann makes a lot of sense for Florida State, between his likely cheap pricetag as a first-year head coach and his connections to the area. There would be more money that can be put back into the roster and developing a support staff, and at this point, it might just be a question of whether or not Schumann is willing to leave.
Florida State has long been connected to the idea of hiring Schumann, with his name coming up before Norvell was fired. If he interviews, Schumann could very well get the job, but now we need to wait and see if he will do so.
The Proven Winner: Houston HC Willie Fritz
The longtime coach Fritz has been winning games since before I was born, and as a new era takes over college football, the coach is likely approaching his final years on the sideline. Fritz joined Houston ahead of the 2024 season after going 54-47 with Tulane. It was not the best stop in his career, but the coach, with new support from the administration, has been working to turn Houston into one of the top Big 12 jobs.
The problem is that Father Time never stops moving, and Fritz is not getting any younger at this point while rebuilding the Cougars' program. Houston is currently on the outside looking in on a potential College Football Playoff appearance, and a combination of winning and watching higher-ranked teams lose is needed.
At some point, Fritz is likely going to want to play in the big games consistently, and it could be a while before Houston can do so. The success Fritz has had with the Cougars has firmly planted him in the middle of the coaching carousel, as a program with a bigger brand like Florida State could be easier to build up.
There's one big problem with Fritz, that unfortunately, is the same for many candidates who have been mentioned early on; he may not want to leave. At 66 years old, there may not be much left in the tank for Fritz, and leaving Houston just to retire with another program is something he probably wouldn't lean towards doing.
The New Kid on the Block: FIU DC Jovan Dewitt
With Florida State potentially leaning towards hiring a first-year head coach to save some money, one of the better targets for the job coaches on the other side of the state in Westchester. Dewitt, a native of Wisconsin, has bounced around a bit in his career, with stops at Florida Atlantic, Army, UCF, Nebraska, and North Carolina before landing with Florida International.
Dewitt was named the defensive coordinator of FIU ahead of the 2022 season, and since then, he has found steady improvement in the CUSA. The 2026 season has been a breakout for Dewitt, who is leading one of the better units in the country and one of the top units in the conference. The Panthers are allowing just 304.4 total yards and 20.4 points per game, which are significant improvements over where the Florida State defense has been this season.
Dewitt is finally coming into his own, calling the shots on defense, while also getting the most out of lesser-known transfer portal additions. The coach knows the state very well, understands how to recruit without a notable budget, and tends to get players to perform better under his leadership.
Really, the only big problem that could prevent Florida State from going with Dewitt would be experience, as hiring someone like Schumann offers a cheaper option as a coach with potentially a better background to take over the team.
If Florida State did decide to interview Dewitt, I don't see him turning down the job if offered. The coach has a history of accepting promotions, and a job like being the Seminoles' head coach does not come around often.
Add us as a preferred source on Google