Thank you, President McCullough.
On October 27, FSU President Richard McCullough wrote a letter to fans to say he hears us. We are truly grateful. We read it twice, and we have a few notes.
A sincere thank you, then some notes
On October 27, Florida State President Rich McCullough wrote to Seminole fans. We want to thank Dick for it, sincerely. Then we want to go through it, less sincerely.
- "I hear you."
Thank you, Dick. Fans have been yelling since the 2024 season, so this is a real relief for our throats.
- Methodically
The letter says leadership is methodically working on a plan. Methodical is a wonderful word. It means slow, but with a binder.
- The right order
We are told lasting change requires the right moves, in the right order, at the right time. We respect this. It is also a perfect description of doing nothing.
- Nearing completion
The athletic director was fired on September 14. Forty-three days later, the work to define his replacement's job is nearing completion, which means the search can begin soon. President MacCullough, we have never been more excited about the word soon.
- Not negotiable
The letter says the standard of competing for championships is not negotiable. Neither is the 3-4 record, since it already happened.
- "We know it isn't."
Three paragraphs in a row tell fans what they are not being asked to do. Then the letter admits that everything is not fine. Honestly, it is the most relatable sentence a university president has ever signed.
- Pack Doak
The one concrete request in the whole letter is to fill the stadium for the rest of the season. With $430 million in athletics debt, we understand completely. The plan is tickets.
- Missing: one coach
The letter runs several hundred words and never mentions the head football coach. Not once. President McCullagh, if you are looking for him, he is probably still watching film of that holding call.
The math on the plan
Critics say firing Mike Norvell would cost Florida State about $51 million this season. We ran the numbers, and it turns out following the plan costs zero dollars in buyout money. Zero. That is the lowest number there is.
Fire him this season
Roughly 85% of what is left on the deal, plus the cost of a new coach, plus the cost of a new coach's staff. Wasteful.
Wait until December
Save about $5.4 million by being patient. Fans have been practicing patience for years.
Wait for the right time
No buyout. No search firm. No awkward press conference. The letter says the right moves have to come in the right order, and this one is apparently not first.
Fine print: "Wait for the right time" includes a salary of roughly $10 million per year with a scheduled $150,000 raise every season. If terminated, the buyout may be paid in monthly installments of about $800,000 through 2031, which is basically a car payment for a very large car. Buyout subject to offset. Offset subject to vibes. Figures based on public reporting and may drop daily, much like the team's ranking. Sports Business Journal reported on October 12 that parting with Norvell and his staff could cost up to $68 million.
Why Florida State cannot fire Mike Norvell
Sports Business Journal reports that FSU athletics is more than $430 million in debt, and that parting with Norvell and his staff could cost up to $68 million. We reviewed the situation carefully and reached one conclusion: Floridians should not be trusted with more debt.
- Exhibit A
The last time too many people in Florida borrowed too much, the global economy had to lie down for a few years. Economists say the Great Recession had many causes. We say it was Florida.
- Exhibit B
Firing Norvell means finding up to $68 million that FSU does not have, on top of the $430 million it already owes. We are not saying history repeats itself. We are saying we have seen this movie.
- Exhibit C
FSU fired its athletic director on September 14, and reporting says it has not yet seriously engaged any major search firms. Without anyone to start the process, we are not sure who would even sign the paperwork.
- Exhibit D
Every dollar FSU does not borrow is a dollar that cannot come back to hurt the world economy. Keeping Norvell is not a football decision. It is a public service.
- Exhibit E
Even if FSU found the money, the letter says a new athletic director comes first, and that search begins soon. Soon is not a date.
Economists disagree with Exhibit A. We have decided not to listen to them.
- 41-38
- Overall record at Florida State. Nearly even, and he is never leaving.
- 10-21
- Record since the 2023 Orange Bowl. The plan to change that is nearing completion.
- $430M
- FSU athletics debt, per Sports Business Journal. Please do not add to it.
- 43-35
- Final score at Miami in double overtime. One holding call and one interception ruling later, here we are.
A legacy of accomplishment
Seven seasons. Countless memories. Several of them good. Here is the complete record, told the way it deserves to be told.
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20203-6
A pandemic season. We have been told it does not count, so we do not count it.
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20215-7
Lost to Jacksonville State on a Hail Mary. Beat Miami. Perfect balance, as all things should be.
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202210-3
Ten wins and a Cheez-It Bowl victory over Oklahoma. The prophecy was fulfilled, and the prophecy was cheese.
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202313-1
Undefeated ACC champions. Left out of the playoff. Then lost the Orange Bowl to Georgia 63-3 to prove, once and for all, that everyone was right.
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20242-10
One year after going 13-1, the Seminoles opened in Ireland and kept losing all the way home. Still, two wins is two more than zero. Math is on our side.
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20255-7
Beat No. 8 Alabama 31-17 in the opener. Celebrated responsibly for the remaining eleven games.
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20263-4 so far
Beat New Mexico State, then lost at home to SMU 27-24 and 50-36 at Alabama. Beat Central Arkansas 34-7 and Virginia 38-7, which is what those games are for. Then led Louisville 14-0 on the road and lost 44-20. Lost 43-35 at No. 3 Miami in double overtime after two late calls went the other way. Then the president wrote fans a letter.
The search for a search
Florida State fired its athletic director on September 14. According to the president's letter, the work to define the next athletic director's role is nearing completion, so the search for one can begin soon.
To summarize, the plan is to finish preparing to start a search for the person who will eventually make the decision. We are, at most, three steps away from a step.
In fairness, President McCollough did say he would like this to move faster. So would we. So would the 3-4 football team.
Next up: Clemson
President McCullough asked fans to pack Doak Campbell Stadium for the rest of the season. Clemson visits on Halloween, so at least the costumes will be scarier than the standings.
Clemson at Florida State
Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee. Kickoff time to be announced. Bring your energy, your passion, and if at all possible, a purchased ticket.
What the (made-up) fans are saying
"I got a letter from the president saying he hears me. I have never felt so heard and so unchanged."
"Why would I want a new coach when I can have the exact same feelings every single Saturday? That's called stability."
"Fifty-one million dollars is a lot of money. I would not spend that on a team that scored three points in a bowl game."
Answer the president
He asked for your support. Tap below to send some. It is free, which helps with the debt situation.
The I Hear You Counter
fans have officially been heard. Results are pending.
The Anti-Recession Fund
raised to keep Florida from borrowing again. No pressure, but the goal is $68 million.