FSU coaches mentioning improper deals to Michael Alford highlights two potential issues

FSU Athletic Director Michael Alford had hoped the House Settlement would mean a more level playing field for college athletics with the implementation of an enforcement arm to prevent schools from paying players over the allocated amounts.

There's one problem. FSU coaches have already communicated that some schools are offering improper deals to players.

FSU coaches doing that highlights two major potential issues. FSU coaches are fine with playing by the rules, or they don't have the money to compete at the highest level for recruits.

The truth is likely somewhere in the middle.

We know the FSU football team has The Battle's End Collective, which has been instrumental in helping that program acquire top talent. However, the other programs like FSU basketball, baseball, softball, and others don't have the same financial support from the Rising Spear Collective, which seems virtually nonexistent over the last few years.

Football is the straw that stirs the drink, so it makes sense they get the lion's share.

Michael Alford has some decisions to make. FSU will have to find ways to generate more money or decide to allocate more money to football. The other part of it is are FSU coaches willing to compete with the big dogs if they receive more money or if they will play by the rules.

FSU football has been strategic with how they allocate resources, going to get a player like Ousmane Kromah and keeping Kevin Wynn in the fold in the last recruiting cycle shows they can get elite players in certain situations. They spent some money salvaging the 2025 recruiting class down the stretch by getting some blue-chip players to sign in the 11th hour as the Early Signing Period approached.

That wasn't cheap. The coaches know they have to pay to acquire top talent when programs with deep pockets like Texas Tech have decided to pay whatever it takes to acquire the talent.

Michael Alford has decisions to make. If he's waiting for somebody to enforce the rules, good luck with that. FSU must find ways to generate more money or allocate it differently. If they allocate it differently, will FSU football coaches play like the big dogs?