Christmas is finally here! We at Chop Chat appreciate all the love and support for our content, it has been a pleasure writing about something that we are passionate about. Even though the Seminoles' athletic programs have not been ideal, we are pleased that you are here to support us along the way.
Florida State football has been a laughingstock during the Christmas gatherings with the family members. They have a combined 7-17 record over the past two seasons, and it looks more like FIU than FSU. However, the Seminoles' administration decided to retain head football coach Mike Norvell in Tallahassee for the 2026 season.
The fan base has their concerns on Norvell, but the point remains the same where the fan base wants to see Florida State football be successful. With Santa Claus coming to town, what is the Christmas wishlist for the Seminoles' football program during the 2026 season?
1. FIND GENERAL MANAGER
In today's landscape of college football, a general manager is a top priority with obtaining talent within the transfer portal and managing the roster. The Seminoles' previous general manager Darrick Yray has accepted the job at UCLA, and Florida State is needing new guidance in that capacity. It looks like head football coach Mike Norvell is manning the capacity until someone is hired. The transfer portal window begins on January 2nd, and the Seminoles have plenty of needs in their roster. This general manager has to be hired now!
2. FIND QUARTERBACK IN PORTAL
Back up quarterback Brock Glenn has announced that he will be entering the transfer portal. This leaves the Seminoles with getting another signal-caller since Kevin Sperry and Jaden O'Neal are on the roster. I know that the fan base doesn't want to keep navigating to the portal for options at the most important position. However, the reality is that the coaching staff needs to get this right.
3, FIND OLD MOJO IN COACH NORVELL
Florida State football was ascending in the right direction as the Seminoles finished with a 10-3 season in 2022 and then turned around and accomplished a 13-1 campaign in 2023. The program was thought to be one of the nation's elite. However, the 2-10 disaster in 2024 had fans questioning what happened. Head football coach Mike Norvell has looked lost with what has transpired. Norvell has to find his old mojo again with a high level of confidence and aggression.
4. MIAMI DOWNWARD SPIRAL NEXT YEAR
The Miami Hurricanes are in the College Football Playoffs against the likes of the Ohio State Buckeyes. Their program still hasn't accomplished a conference championship, but the future outlook seems promising under head football coach Mario Cristobal. Carson Beck will be graduating after the season, and they will have pieces on the team going to the NFL. The Seminoles cannot let them get a transfer quarterback again, and hopefully we see a downward spiral because it is bad for Florida State to see Miami's program in a good place.
5. WIN A ROAD GAME
This could go hand-in-hand with finding head football coach Mike Norvell's mojo again. However, the elephant in the room includes the fact that the Seminoles have not won a road game since the 2023 meeting against the arch-rival Florida Gators. The road slate doesn't get any easier for Florida State as they have Alabama, Boston College, Louisville, Miami, and Pittsburgh. The coaching staff has to have their players ready to play away from Doak Campbell Stadium.