Florida State fires AD Michael Alford, per report
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Big news out of Tallahassee. Michael Alford is out as Florida State’s athletic director.
Per Andrew Adelson, FSU school president Richard McCullough informed ESPN of the change with Seminole athletics.
Florida State has fired athletic director Michael Alford, school president Richard McCullough told ESPN.
— Andrea Adelson (@aadelsonESPN) September 14, 2026
As with many programs, AD news is often viewed through a football lens. The first big question for Alford’s successor will be what he wants to do about the football program.
Alford was named Florida State AD on Dec. 9, 2021. He did not hire head football coach Mike Norvell, who left Memphis for FSU two years earlier. Alford did, however, oversee extending Norvell’s contract.
Norvell led the Seminoles to an undefeated regular season in 2023. In January 2024, Nick Saban announced his retirement. With Norvell reportedly linked to the Alabama opening, he signed a new contract to keep him at FSU through the 2031 season.
Since Norvell signed the extension, FSU has an 8-18 overall record and 3-14 record in ACC play. Back-to-back losing seasons and a 1-1 start to 2026 has led to conversations about Norvell being on the hot seat.
According to USA TODAY, Norvell would be owed $46.7 million if he were fired on Dec. 1, 2026. The next Florida State AD will have a big decision to make.
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Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaign of Fred Taylor.
