Mike Norvell promises changes for FSU football, but he's running out of answers

Mike Norvell wasn't ready to announce the changes that are coming to the football program immediately after the 40-21 loss to Florida. Maybe he knows and isn't telling. Maybe he doesn't know at all.

But what is known is that FSU football is a place it hasn't been before. Norvell is returning for a seventh season that no on expected and most fans didn't want. Four of his first six seasons have been losing seasons without a bowl game to build on. The 13-1 season in 2023 feels more like a stroke of good luck with every passing day.

Norvell wants to get it fixed...again

As usual with most Norvell post-game press conferences, he has an assortment of keywords and phrases he likes to throw out, like 'complimentary football'. He continues to speak highly of the young talent on the roster and there are certainly some pieces there, like defensive lineman Mandrell Desir and wide receiver Lawayne McCoy.

"The fight, I think, has been there throughout the course of the year," Norvell said. "I do believe in some of the young talent that we have and the playmakers that have emerged."

But the harsh reality hit Norvell about six minutes into the conference when he was once again reminded that the Seminoles haven't won a road game in two seasons, and it will be over a 1,000 days sicne their last road win by the next time they get a shot. 

"To go two years without a road win...I mean that's incredibly disappointing. But you try to meet each team at where they are and, ultimately, we didn't do a good enough job this season," Norvell said.

Is FSU currently a championship-level program?

The history of the Florida State football program is unquestioned. Three national championships, a 14-year run of top-five finishes in the AP Poll. Bobby Bowden won over 300 games with the Seminoles. Jimbo Fisher had a .783 winning percentage in his eight seasons at FSU. 

But right now, FSU football has an identity crisis. Norvell is struggling to build a foundation because his recruiting has been subpar. Because he's basically fighting for his job every year, the roster building process has been abbreviated. Instead of building around young talent, Norvell settles for quick fixes through the transfer portal. 

We're going to work. We're going to assess, address, do everything that's necessary to get it better and get it fixed," Norvell said, "This is a championship-level program, and we need to be competing for championships."

The next moves remain unknown. Changes have been promised, but right now they feel like empty promises.