Mike Norvell Takes on a Massive Challenge as Next Head Coach at Florida State
By Jerry Trotta
Reports late Friday night indicated that Memphis head coach Mike Norvell had emerged as the favorite to land the same position at Florida State, who famously axed Willie Taggart earlier in the year.
Well, those rumors officially came to fruition following the Tigers dub over Cincinnati in the AAC Conference title game on Saturday. ESPN has confirmed that Norvell will be leaving his post at Memphis to fill the Seminoles' head coaching vacancy.
#Memphis' Mike Norvell agrees to deal to become #FloridaState's coach, sources tell colleague @ClowESPN. FSU will introduce Norvell at noon ET Sunday. https://t.co/KjEHasazVv
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) December 8, 2019
It's certainly a massive leap for Norvell, who has completely transformed the narrative surrounding Memphis' football program in his four years at the helm. In each of those campaigns, the Tigers have logged at least eight wins.
In fitting fashion, Memphis captured their first conference championship under Norvell's reign with Saturday's W over the Bearcats, whom the Tigers defeated twice in a span of eight days.
Dear @Coach_Norvell: Thanks for four great years -- and for producing the best season in Memphis Football history. It's been a blast to watch. Good luck at Florida State.
— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) December 8, 2019
Dear FSU fans: Your school has made an incredible hire. If you don't already know, you'll know soon enough.
To say that the spotlight will be on him now more than ever is a colossal understatement, as Seminole fans have been clamoring for a return to college football glory (or even relevancy) after mustering a woeful 9-12 record under Taggart.
We like to think they found the right guy in Norvell this time around. But the dream won't come to fruition without a ton of hard work. Good luck, coach.