FSU football: Does Mike Norvell really have an offseason plan?
After Saturday’s loss to the Miami Hurricanes, Mike Norvell addressed the media on Monday morning, saying, “Come December, we have a plan,” raising the question of whether he truly has a strategy in place.
The defeat was just another chapter in the Seminoles’ ongoing struggles this season, as they faced significant challenges on both offense and defense. With this loss, FSU’s hopes for a bowl game have officially come to an end, bringing their record to 1-7. In his five seasons at FSU, Norvell has now overseen three losing campaigns. During the broadcast on Saturday, it was clear that Norvell was frustrated; he was seen expressing his anger towards defensive coordinator Adam Fuller after the defense had too many players on the field and appeared upset during a Miami timeout shortly after.
The body language displayed by the team’s leader is quite disheartening, especially given the circumstances. Week after week, it seems FSU lacks a clear plan heading into games. This was particularly evident when Mike Norvell opted to bench quarterback Brock Glenn for Luke Kromenhoek, only to switch back to Glenn in the fourth quarter.
Glenn finished with a dismal 5 of 18 passing for 54 yards and added 22 rushing yards. Kromenhoek performed slightly better at 6 of 14 for 61 yards passing and 71 rushing yards. Unfortunately, neither quarterback received much support from the wide receivers, who have struggled significantly in recent weeks. The fact that the team managed to complete only 11 passes against a weak Miami defense speaks volumes about the offensive performance.
With the offense faltering, the defense spent much of the game on the field and was not the primary reason for the loss. Despite his heated exchange with defensive coordinator Adam Fuller, it wouldn’t be wise for Norvell to dismiss Fuller if he is part of the strategy Norvell claims to have for December. Beyond Fuller, it may be necessary for Norvell to consider replacing the rest of the coaching staff. Alex Atkins, Ron Dugans, and Tony Tokarz should also be evaluated for potential removal come December.
While the outlook for the rest of the FSU season appears bleak, there is hope that Norvell recognizes the potential in younger players like Landen Thomas and possibly the future quarterback in Luke Kromenhoek. As we watch the younger players develop, it will be interesting to see if Norvell truly has a “plan,” which may involve significant changes to the coaching staff.