Mike Norvell replacements 2024: 3 potential candidates to replace FSU coach if he gets fired

Before the season began, Florida State Seminoles coach Mike Norvell was one of the most well-regarded coaches in college football. He led FSU to a flawless regular season in 2023 but his team was snubbed out of the college football playoff.

It has been a nightmare start to the season for the Seminoles, with a season-opening loss to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in Ireland quickly followed by losses to the Boston College Eagles and the Memphis Tigers.

Norvell is on the hot seat but which coaches could replace him at FSU if the Seminoles were to do away with him? Below we take a look at three likely candidates.

#3. Deion Sanders

Colorado coach Deion Sanders has had a mixed start as a coach in the FBS, with the Colorado Buffaloes finishing last season with a 4-8 record and missing out on bowl eligibility but improving on the previous season's 1-11 record.

Sanders has a long history with the Seminoles, where he made his name between 1985 and 1988 before getting drafted in 1989. "The Wright Way Network" analyst Marissa Myers linked him to the job.

"Mike Norvell has done a good job of creating a culture at Florida State and leading them to where it will not be surprising to see him get offers to move from the ACC to a team in one of the bigger conferences," Myers wrote. "With that being the case, Florida State would need a new head coach, and that perfect candidate would be; Deion Sanders."

#2. Lane Kiffin

Ole Miss Rebels coach Lane Kiffin has turned around the team and is in the top 10 of the AP Poll with his team tabbed as a potential candidate for the expanded college football playoff.

In January, when Alabama coach Nick Saban unexpectedly retired, Mike Norvell was one of the coaches on the list to replace him before the Crimson Tide opted for Washington Huskies coach Kalen DeBoer.

ESPN released a report that named Kiffin as the Seminoles' top choice to replace Norvell and in case of his firing, he has already been seriously considered before.

#1. Ryan Silverfield is the perfect Mike Norvell replacement

Ryan Silverfield is the current coach of the Memphis Tigers and he guided them to an emphatic 20-12 win over the Seminoles in week three action.

Silverfield led the Tigers to a 10-3 season last year, including a Liberty Bowl win. He was Norvell's offensive coordinator, helping to fuel his rise to coach of the Seminoles and what better way to ensure continuity in Tallahassee than hiring from the Norvell coaching tree?

Mike Norvell has likely stored up some goodwill from last year's unbeaten regular season but that can only go for so long if the Seminoles continue to lose games as the season progresses.