FSU exploring the possibility of Jimbo Fisher returning as head coach

Times around the Florida State football program are hard. Head coach Mike Norvell simply isn't getting it done as the team has gone 8-18 since 2023, with a 3-14 record in the ACC and a current nine-game road losing streak.

The standard at FSU is extremely high, and in order to return to dominance, it's clear that they need to go in another direction. With that said, according to Bruce Feldman of The Athletic , Florida State is exploring a possible return for Jimbo Fisher as head coach.

One interesting development we've heard recently is the prospect of former Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher returning to take over the program. The 60-year-old Fisher, who led the Seminoles to the national title to cap the 2013 season and then oversaw the beginning of the program's backslide a few years later before taking the Texas A&M job, really wants the job, we've heard.

Industry sources told The Athletic that FSU brass is looking into the possibility. Financially, it could make some sense. As we reported earlier this year, FSU wasn't aggressive at all in the portal this offseason with a nod toward saving its money for something else down the road. That something else could be paying some of the near $50 million the school would owe Norvell if he were fired. Then there's the money FSU would need to hire a new staff and perhaps to buy out a new coach. (Duke's Manny Diaz, a Florida State grad, could be an option, too.)

Fisher was very successful at Florida State with an 83-23 record in eight seasons. That included three ACC titles (2012-2014), a 29-game win streak, and, of course, the program's third national championship in 2013 when they went 14-0. Also, FSU made the first-ever College Football Playoff in 2014.

Although he's been away from coaching since 2023, Fisher is very aware of where the landscape of college football is today and what it takes to be successful. Plus, and more importantly, he knows what it takes in Tallahassee.

One area that FSU needs to improve in is recruiting, and they haven't had a top-10 recruiting class in quite some time. Fisher was an excellent recruiter and knew how to build relationships, and that's essential when it comes to that aspect.

This topic will certainly heat up if Florida State loses to the Alabama Crimson Tide this weekend.

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