Finally, some movement!
Florida State has announced the dismissal of athletic director Michael Alford, as confirmed by university president Richard McCullough on Monday.
This decision comes at a critical time, with increasing scrutiny on the trajectory of the Seminoles’ prominent football program.
Bruce Warwick, the Senior Associate Athletics Director, will temporarily take on the role of interim athletic director while the university begins a nationwide search for a permanent successor to Alford.
“Michael Alford has dedicated himself to our University and our student-athletes, and we appreciate his service to our athletics programs,” McCullough remarked in a statement. “As we enter this transition, our priority lies in ensuring our teams succeed and providing every competitive advantage for our student-athletes, coaches, and staff.”
VIDEO THREAD:#FSU President Richard McCullough addresses the media on the dismissal of #Noles AD Michael Alford
On why now was the time to make a move… pic.twitter.com/fBfdISVbwm
— Ryan Kelly (@RyanLKelly) September 14, 2026
As someone from Miami, I can admit that college football loses a bit of its luster when Florida State isn’t competing at a high level. And regarding McCullough’s decision to let Alford go, I think it was long overdue—probably by a year or more.
With a tenure marked by public disputes with the ACC, incurring over $400 million in debt for stadium renovations, and lofty talk about “standards,” it’s disappointing to see the flagship football team struggle so badly with a 8-18 record since 2023. It just had to happen.
Firing Alford is just the beginning for the Seminoles; I can’t help but feel the pressure is mounting. Mike Norvell should be careful as well.
This weekend, Florida State is set to face Alabama on the road. If they are overwhelmed in Tuscaloosa, as many predict, the new athletic director will have quite the challenge on their hands—they might need to start looking for a new head coach before they even settle in.
Clearly, FSU is aiming for two things: financial success and victories. Norvell needs to ensure the latter, or he could be in serious trouble.
