Florida State fans didn’t wait long to fire up their old Mike Norvell complaints

Florida State entered Week 0 of the 2026 season as a 31.5-point favorite over New Mexico State, which went 4-8 last season. Yet, the two teams largely looked evenly matched throughout the first half, with the Seminoles holding just a 17-7 lead after a late second-quarter touchdown by Samuel Singleton Jr. 

Even after another losing season in 2025, many Seminoles fans mustered up some excitement about Auburn transfer quarterback Ashton Daniels, the program’s third different transfer starter in as many years. Yet, Daniels threw a first-half interception, reigniting concerns about his lack of ball security, and on the other side, Tony White’s defense showed many of the same issues it had a year ago. 

While the errant throw was on the veteran QB and fault for the lackluster defensive scheme, on the defensive coordinator, in the opinion of Florida State fans, everything falls on the seventh-year head coach who has four losing seasons to his name. 

So, that hope quickly dissipated for many Seminole fans, and the old complaints about Norvell were quickly dusted off. 

Florida State fans rip Mike Norvell for 17-7 first-half vs. New Mexico State

After handing play-calling duties to Gus Malzahn for 2025, after FSU’s disastrous 2-10 2024 campaign, Norvell reclaimed play-calling duties for the 2026 season. He spent all offseason praising his running back and tight end room, hinting at a run-heavy approach, yet his team’s first trip to the red zone looked reminiscent of last year’s struggles. 

Many FSU fans aren’t particularly enthusiastic about the offensive approach, though fourth-year running back Samuel Singleton was a bright spot with 30 yards on the ground and 53 and a touchdown through the air. 

Yet, Singleton’s breakout isn’t enough to stop fans from calling for Norvell’s job. 

Norvell entered this season on the hottest seat in college football. A sizeable buyout, north of $50 million, tied into an extension FSU awarded Norvell with after his 13-0 ACC Title-winning season in 2023, was likely the only thing that prevented FSU from moving on this offseason. 

After a strong year fundraising and a conservative approach to the offseason, keeping a tight budget on Norvell and first-year general manager John Garrett, FSU may have the money to pull the trigger on a move if this year’s team isn’t up to FSU’s standard. 

So far, through one half of play, there isn’t much to suggest that the Seminoles are ready to start contending for another ACC title. 

With a matchup against SMU looming in Week 1, Florida State fans are hoping to see a stronger second half against New Mexico State.

On top of the struggles, some fans are just tired of everything about Norvell. Huddles before the locker room, his attitude on the sideline, the word "respond." The fanbase was ready for a fresh face on the sidelines and the first half didn't change their mind.

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