Florida State is in chaos, man. Michael Alford is out as athletic director, and everyone knows head coach Mike Norvell is likely next to get the axe. The coaching carousel is spinning hard, but here’s the absolutely wild kicker: Deion Sanders, “Coach Prime” himself, is already *out of consideration* for the Seminoles job. Like, the guy who made his name there, the Hall of Famer, isn’t even in the running. And it’s not just about money, it’s about a rejection that goes way back.
Florida State Officials Said NO Way Back in 2019
You want to talk about a cold shoulder? Coach Prime actually wanted a shot at the FSU vacancy back in late 2019, before he even headed to Jackson State. He reached out to his old defensive coordinator, Mickey Andrews, with a bold plan: bring “Prime Time” back to Tallahassee to replace his mentor, Willie Taggart. FSU officials wanted no part of it, or so it seemed. Andrews got Sanders an interview, and by all accounts, Coach Prime crushed it. Seriously, at least two FSU officials walked away saying Sanders was the best candidate they interviewed! But none of that mattered to then-athletic director David Coburn. The man straight up rebuked Sanders for not having a college degree. He actually wondered how they’d “sell it to all our alumni.” Imagine that, in a place Sanders helped build, he wasn’t welcome because of a piece of paper. Coburn ended up hiring Norvell, who had won 30 games in his previous three seasons at Memphis. Andrews gave Sanders the best advice of his career: go find a school that would make him head coach. Jackson State and Colorado had zero problem giving him that shot. Going back to FSU after that? Pointless.
A $10 Million Buyout Makes Going Home Even Harder
Even if the Noles suddenly had a change of heart, the financial side of things is a total mess. If Sanders were to peace out from Colorado, he’d owe the University $10 million before December 31, 2026. Yeah, that number drops every year, but when FSU is already on the hook for a reported $51 million to Norvell, that extra expense is just not happening. The Seminoles are in no position to bleed more cash unless they find an absolutely outstanding candidate ready to jump ship. Don’t get it twisted, Coach Prime has the Buffaloes off to a 2-0 start this 2026 season, a huge improvement from last year’s 3-9 record. They’ve dealt with a massive roster turnover too, with 45 new players, which is the second-most in his era there. But Sanders’ overall record in Boulder is 18-21 over three-plus seasons, while Norvell is 39-35 at FSU with “many better seasons” to his name. The numbers don’t lie, and the money situation just seals the deal.
Coach Prime asks, “Do you believe?” It’s that famous sound-bite from his first major win back in 2023 at TCU. But right now, when it comes to him heading back to Florida State, the answer is a resounding “no.” The door was slammed shut years ago, and it’s staying that way.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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