Beginning a 441-word statement on the state of Florida State athletics, president Richard McCullough began by saying, “I hear you. I understand your frustration.”
McCullough didn’t go into specifics but addressed expectations for FSU football and FSU athletics in a social media post on Tuesday afternoon.
“I know some of you are questioning whether university leadership understands the seriousness of this moment, whether meaningful action is taking place behind the scenes, and whether there is a clear plan for the future,” McCullough wrote. “Those are fair questions. You deserve to know that your passion, your investment, and your expectations are not being taken for granted.
“Let me be clear: the leadership team and I care deeply. And we are methodically working on a plan that positions Florida State for sustained success.”
McCullough and Board of Trustees chairman Peter Collins dismissed FSU athletics director Michael Alford on Sept. 14, installing Bruce Warwick as the interim athletics director. No search firm has been hired and no interview committee has been established, the Osceola previously reported.
In Tuesday's statement, McCullough said administration is closely examining the structure of Florida State athletics' leadership. McCullough said the search for an athletics director has not begun.
“We have been evaluating every aspect of our athletics organization, including defining the role, responsibilities and expectations for our next Athletics Director,” McCullough wrote. “That work requires honest assessments, difficult conversations, and a realistic analysis of the immense changes and challenges in athletics over the past several years. That work is nearing completion, which means we will be able to begin the search for a new Athletics Director soon.”
That admission puts FSU athletics in an awkward spot. The football team is 3-4 going into a rivalry game against Clemson on Saturday at 7 p.m. (ACC Network), with coach Mike Norvell on the hot seat. Norvell could make a big statement with a rivalry win over Clemson, showing he and the Seminoles are capable of finishing the season on a positive run and be in contention for a bowl game.
If FSU administration were to move on from Norvell, school officials would be doing so running concurrent searches for an athletics director and football coach.
McCullough and Collins have been critical of the revenue gap between the Power 2 conferences, the SEC and Big Ten, and the ACC. Florida State and Clemson took the ACC to court, settling their case in March 2025, in large part to determine how much money it would cost to leave the conference. That departure would cost Florida State approximately $75 million in 2030, which is roughly when conference television deals expire.
“Our vision has not changed,” McCullough said. “Florida State should compete for championships, develop exceptional student-athletes, attract outstanding coaches and personnel, and operate with the resources, leadership, and commitment necessary to succeed at the highest level of college athletics.”
The football signing window for high school prospects also begins on Dec. 2, which would complicate the timeline to hire a new coach if McCullough and Collins move on from Norvell.
McCullough asked FSU’s fans to support the athletes and pack Doak for the final three home games — Clemson, NC State and Florida.
McCullough’s letter to FSU
I hear you. I understand your frustration. And I share your expectations for Florida State Football and Seminole Athletics.
I know some of you are questioning whether university leadership understands the seriousness of this moment, whether meaningful action is taking place behind the scenes, and whether there is a clear plan for the future.
Those are fair questions. You deserve to know that your passion, your investment, and your expectations are not being taken for granted.
Let me be clear: the leadership team and I care deeply. And we are methodically working on a plan that positions Florida State for sustained success.
Would we like this work to move faster? Absolutely. But meaningful, lasting change requires us to make the right moves in the right order, at the right time, and that is what we are committed to doing. Our responsibility is to make the right decisions for Florida State’s long-term future.
We have been evaluating every aspect of our athletics organization, including defining the role, responsibilities and expectations for our next Athletics Director. That work requires honest assessments, difficult conversations, and a realistic analysis of the immense changes and challenges in athletics over the past several years. That work is nearing completion, which means we will be able to begin the search for a new Athletics Director soon.
Our vision has not changed. Florida State should compete for championships, develop exceptional student-athletes, attract outstanding coaches and personnel, and operate with the resources, leadership, and commitment necessary to succeed at the highest level of college athletics.
That standard is not negotiable.
This is a consequential moment for Florida State. We have extraordinary tradition, a passionate national following, exceptional institutional support, and the opportunity to build something worthy of the Seminole name.
We are not asking you to lower your expectations. We are telling you that we share and embrace them.
We are not asking you to ignore the results. We are committed to changing them.
And we are not asking you to believe that everything is fine. We know it isn’t.
What we ask now is that you stand firmly behind your current student-athletes. Show them your support. Pack Doak Campbell Stadium for the remainder of this season and bring your enegry and passion to support our team at each and every game. Our players show great commitment and effort every single day, and they deserve your continued support on and off the field.
Your support is essential. I am grateful for your commitment. We understand the challenges before us, and I will continue to share our progress with you. We are fully committed to building lasting success at Florida State.
Sincerely,
Richard McCullough
President, Florida State University
