With Gus Malzahn retiring from the coaching profession on Monday morning, that puts the Florida State Seminoles in a challenging spot. This team may have beaten Alabama a season ago, but they also went 5-7 overall, 2-6 in ACC play, and did not go to a bowl game... As for Miami, the Hurricanes clobbered the Noles at Doak Campbell en route to playing for last season's national championship.
So with all signs pointing to Mike Norvell calling plays in favor of Tim Harris, Miami should be ecstatic!
Expectation is Mike Norvell will call plays in 2026, sources tell @On3. @BSonnone first. https://t.co/c0UdHFaXdA https://t.co/idG49HxfCY
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) February 2, 2026
Harris being promoted from within from co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach feels like a move in title only. Norvell being the play caller puts him in an even tougher spot next season. He was on the hot seat a year ago, but somehow managed to survive another season at the helm of Florida State. All it took was one year of him for Malzahn to hang up the visor and continue living his best life.
Miami will host Florida State at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Saturday, Oct. 17 after a bye.
Mike Norvell to be calling plays for Florida State with Gus Malzahn retiring
To put it as simply as possible, these are the type of maneuvers that continue to make Miami strong and powerful at the top of the ACC. Getting Darian Mensah and Cooper Barkate from Duke only adds to that. While it is better for the ACC to have both Miami and Florida State good at the same time, that has rarely been the case since the Canes left the old Big East two decades ago. One is up at a time...
When looking at Florida State within the context of a 17-team ACC, plus whatever we want to call the scheduling parasite that is Notre Dame, do we really think the Noles are going to get to Charlotte next year? Miami feels like a lock. Among the teams to possibly meet Miami there are Duke, Georgia Tech, Louisville, SMU, Virginia, and Virginia Tech. Obviously, Florida State is not among the real contenders.
So what does this decision by Norvell to call plays at Florida State mean for Miami? How about everything... If it hits the fan for cash-strapped Florida State, Miami might be the team to put the nail in the coffin of his up-and-down coaching tenure in Tallahassee. It is quite the gamble for Norvell to be undertaking. If it works, then good for him. If not, well, he is going to have to finally wear it then...
All the while, Mario Cristobal and his coaching staff are licking their chops at this Florida State news.