Florida State coach Mike Norvell said he had no idea a social media post showing a box truck outside his home went viral until he was asked about it during his Wednesday news conference, saying his entire focus has been on preparing to play at Alabama on Saturday.
Speculation has ramped up about his long-term future with the Seminoles following the dismissal of athletic director Michael Alford on Monday. The photo, posted on Tuesday, showed a truck and cardboard boxes outside his home. The post said, "Moving trucks at Norvells home."
Norvell said the truck was there delivering a desk for his daughter. Asked about the post and increasing speculation, Norvell said, "Is that online?"
"Oh that's awesome. I don't look a whole lot online," he said. "All of our focus is on this team; that's where I live. There can be plenty of speculation. There can be plenty of things that are out there. I get the opportunity to show up every day, bring the right attitude, bring the right mentality, bring the right work, pouring into this team, pouring into these players. I believe in that."
Florida State opted to retain Norvell after last season despite a 5-7 record. Since winning the ACC in 2023, Florida State is 8-18, and lost at home to SMU on Labor Day night. Afterward, fans chanted, 'Fire Norvell.'
Alford is the one who was fired earlier this week. School president Richard McCullough told ESPN on Monday: "We love coach Norvell. We love what he does for student-athletes. We're rooting for him for lots and lots of reasons. Nobody wants to win more than Mike Norvell -- except maybe me. He's in the business of winning and so he knows where he is. But that's not a decision we're talking about today."
Norvell acknowledged the results have not been what he has wanted, but he does not allow the speculation about his future to impact his approach.
"There have been disappointing results, and I have never sat here and tried to make an excuse -- not once since I've been here," Norvell said. "I don't do that. This is a result-oriented business. Our results have not been as good as what we want them to be. But I believe in the process, I believe in the work, I believe in the players I get to coach, and we get to go be better.
"Every day I'm going to show up and I'm going to give all that I have and continue to fight, pushing to help these players go be all that I know that they can be. For whatever the speculation is out there, I'm not looking for it, but it's always going to be there."
