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…