Florida State president Dr. Richard McCullough often makes appearances at games around campus and travels with the Seminoles. He’s been photographed with the national champion soccer team and has spoken at the team’s celebrations the last few years.
But McCullough, who celebrated his fifth-year anniversary as FSU’s president on Aug. 15, rarely holds press conferences. Monday was an exception as he took time to discuss the firing of athletics director Michael Alford.
The Osceola also asked McCullough about Norvell, who is 39-35 in his seventh season at FSU. While Norvell and the Seminoles won the ACC title in 2023, the program has gone 2-10 and 5-7 the last two seasons.
FSU (1-1) plays at No. 10 Alabama, a 20-point favorite, on Saturday.
"I love Mike Norvell. He’s a great human being," McCullough said. "I love what he does with our student-athletes. Our grades have never been better under his leadership. I love how he takes our student athletes and helps them to be the best version of themselves. I love how he makes them competitive and we love all of that.”
FSU football has enjoyed a steady rise in its grade point averages under Norvell in recent years. So it’s not that surprising McCullough began with the classroom. He continued his answer by discussing what has happened of late on the football field.
The Seminoles have won just four games against Power 4 teams in the last two-plus seasons: California in 2024 as well as Alabama, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest in 2025. FSU has also not had a road victory since Florida in 2023, although the neutral-site win over Louisville for the ACC title game came at Charlotte, N.C.
"I have to tell you, nobody wants to win more than Mike Norvell. Except for maybe the players, me, chairman Collins. We want to win. Of course we want to win. College coaches are in the winning business. That’s what we’re working on."
Thanks for reading the Osceola. Subscribe now for 40 percent off to enjoy a full year of coverage of FSU athletics. You’ll also earn a $20 gift card at Alumni Hall.
