Florida State monitors Fisher, Schumann in early coaching search

01 · The NewsFlorida State’s Search Is Just Starting

Florida State’s coaching search was still in its early stages Monday after the school hired Purinton as athletic director and fired Mike Norvell on Nov. 1, with Jimbo Fisher, Georgia defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann, P.J. Fleck and Eli Drinkwitz among the names being monitored.

“Anyone telling you much has happened at Florida State in their coaching search is full of it,” a college executive told USA TODAY Sports Monday. “They just hired Purinton as AD. Nothing of consequence has happened yet.”

Fisher is pushing for a return to Florida State and has called potential staff members. His first stint included the Seminoles’ 2013 national championship before the relationship deteriorated near the end.

Schumann would point Florida State toward a markedly different coaching profile. The Seminoles have not hired a head coach whose background was exclusively on defense since Larry Jones in 1971. Schumann has helped produce Georgia defenses for a team that followed a 12-2 season with an 8-1 start in 2026.

Fleck’s Minnesota team is 5-4 after an 8-5 season in 2025. Drinkwitz’s Missouri team is 6-3 after its own 8-5 finish. Manny Diaz, a Florida State alumnus, faces an uphill path, according to one college insider.

“It’s hard for me to seeing Florida State hiring a guy that failed at Miami, whether that’s fair or not,” the insider said.

Wake Forest coach Jake Dickert was absent from the reported list. Two coaching agents said Wake Forest contracts include non-compete clauses involving other ACC schools. One coaching-industry source said, “That’s a real thing, because it’s cost some guys.” Whether such a clause would block Dickert from moving to Florida State is not known.

Norvell is expected by multiple people to have a significant market as an offensive coordinator if he wants to return to coaching immediately. The financial details behind the reported $306 million question also have not been provided. Purinton now has to decide which path gives Florida State its best chance to return to national relevance.

02 · The StakesThe Stakes

There is no indication Florida State has interviewed, contacted or offered any of the named candidates. The next hire will determine whether the Seminoles can recover from a 5-7 season in 2025 and a 4-5 mark in 2026 — or continue sliding in the ACC.

03 · The Watch ListWhat We're Watching