Florida State has fired athletic director Michael Alford, according to On3’s Pete Nakos.
Alford had served as Florida State’s vice president and director of athletics since 2021.
The move comes at a critical moment for the Seminoles, with the football program facing significant scrutiny under head coach Mike Norvell. FSU entered 2026 with enormous expectations, but recent results have only intensified questions surrounding the direction of the program.
The timing is particularly notable because Alford had been involved in the decisions surrounding Norvell’s future, including the restructuring of his coaching staff following the disastrous 2024 season.
FSU’s athletics department has also undergone broader organizational and financial changes, including the creation of the Florida State University Athletics Association, designed to improve coordination of athletics fundraising, operations and management.
Now the biggest question: What does Alford’s firing mean for Mike Norvell?
If Florida State is preparing for a complete reset, the next athletic director could have a major say in the future of the football program.
