Buster Faulkner is the man Florida State needs to target as Mike Norvell's replacement

Florida State improved to 2-2 during Week 4 with a win over Central Arkansas, but the 34-7 win felt like a step backwards after scoring 36 points against the Alabama defense the week prior. The Bears were always going to be a get-right game for the Seminoles, and yet the team did not look like any real improvements were made.

Heading into the 2026 season, Florida State needed a successful start to the year for coach Mike Norvell to realistically have a chance at remaining with the program through the season. The failure to launch this season is frankly unacceptable, as penalties, unforced errors, and poor play have held back a roster that should be better.

With Norvell potentially not even finishing the season, Florida State should have the first overall pick of sorts. You do not have to look far to find one of the top candidates for some other potential openings such as Florida offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner. If there is genuine interest in Faulkner, Florida State would have to move fast as the Gators' offense continues to shine under his control.

Florida State needs to consider hiring Buster Faulkner as the next head coach

At this point in the Norvell experiment, the two sides parting ways seems more likely than not, with an uninspiring 2-2 start. Florida State needed to show improvements on the field from the jump, but instead, the problems have been stacking up for the team. The Seminoles need a fresh start, and picking someone like Faulkner with extensive collegiate experience would be ideal.

Faulkner started his collegiate coaching career with Valdosta State, coaching quarterbacks, before spending time with Central Arkansas, Murray State, Middle Tennessee State, Arkansas State, and Southern Mississippi. Faulkner joined Georgia ahead of the 2020 season as an offensive quality control and quarterbacks coach. After winning two championships with the Bulldogs, Faulkner joined Georgia Tech to once again serve as an offensive coordinator, which was a great decision on his part.

With a successful run from 2023 to 2025 with the Yellow Jackets, Florida came knocking, looking to round out the new staff. The Gators are off to an extremely hot start to the 2026 season, averaging 53.5 points, 532.8 yards, and 10.5 yards per completion per game this season. That also includes a 52-point performance against No. 4 Ole Miss and 96 points scored against SEC opponents.

The shocking totals might be new for Faulkner, but finding success with his offense has not been new after a productive tenure with Georgia Tech. In his first season with the Yellow Jackets, Faulkner increased the total offensive output per game by 98.6 yards and 13.9 points. In 2024, Georgia Tech continued to shine as one of the top offenses in the ACC despite the expansion.

Faulkner joined Florida after the conclusion of the 2025 season, where his offense averaged 460 total yards and 32.2 points per game. The only offense last season that gained more yards than Georgia Tech in the ACC was Florida State, and now the Seminoles would be lucky to not finish last in the conference this season. Norvell has not been able to attract enough talent into his offense, and he additionally has not been able to make what he has work.

A lack of experience as a head coach might worry some fans, but Faulkner has an offense that is proven to work at a high level, and with that talent should follow. Sometimes, a fresh face is better than going after a recycled candidate, and other programs are keeping close tabs on Faulkner moving forward. Florida State would greatly benefit from making the move, but being early is going to be key.

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