The Florida State Seminoles were an absolute disaster after a promising start to the 2025 season. After beating Alabama in the season-opener and starting out 3-0, things went south quickly. The Seminoles finished just 5-7 on the season and 2-6 in the ACC.
It was the second year in a row in which Florida State finished below .500. In three of the last four games, they scored less than 15 points. All of those games were losses. Still, the Seminoles were the 22nd-highest scoring team in the country this past season.
Gus Malzahn was the offensive coordinator for the Seminoles this season. Until the final four weeks of the season, it looked like he had fixed their woes on that side of the ball. Now, the Seminoles are going to have to replace him heading into next season.
GettyFlorida State Seminoles offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn calls a play. (Photo by Jason Clark/Getty Images)
Florida State Seminoles Lose Gus Malzahn to Retirement
Malzahn has decided to retire after 35 years of coaching. That means the Seminoles will have their third different offensive coordinator in as many years. They have already decided to promote wide receivers coach Tim Harris Jr. to be the offensive coordinator.
Harris Jr. has never called plays before. Bringing him on next season in what will be a make-or-break season for Mike Norvell is not ideal. Yet, all of the other viable offensive coordinator options are taken at this point in the coaching cycle.
Next season, the Seminoles will have to play Alabama again, this time in Tuscaloosa. They also have road games against Louisville, Miami, and Pitt. Home games against Clemson and Florida also show that the Seminoles have a brutal schedule for the 2026 season.
In addition to that, the Seminoles lost 35 players to the Transfer Portal in the offseason. They did add 25 other players to help offset those losses, but they will have a new starting quarterback again. Without Malzahn stabilizing the offense, things could get rocky.
GettyFlorida State Seminoles coach Mike Norvell looks on. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
Mike Norvell has a Hot Seat with the Florida State Seminoles
Since going undefeated in the 2023 regular season, the Seminoles have struggled mightily under Norvell. Over the last two seasons, Florida State is just 7-17. If Norvell cannot turn things around in what is a very tough schedule, he might be looking for another job after next season.
The Seminoles have struggled to adjust in the NIL era in terms of recruiting. They also have struggled with confidence. As soon as they start to trail, it doesn’t seem like they have a lot of fight. It’s tough for them to mount comebacks, and that will be even harder with a new OC.
Florida State does have the 14th-best recruiting class in the country coming in, even if they don’t have a five-star recruit in this class. They are going to need some production from those freshmen this season if they are going to have any hope of competing for a College Football Playoff spot.
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