College football's coaching carousel began its annual spin sooner than expected on Sunday after Florida State parted ways with second-year coach Willie Taggart.
A miserable home loss to Miami was too much to stomach for the Seminoles' power brass, who will pay the remaining $17 million balance on Taggart's contract to try and quickly reverse fortunes at one of the nation's bluebloods.
An elite job in a fertile recruiting area that will attract several big names, Florida State plays in a Power 5 league conducive to success with the right ingredients and the Seminoles believe they possess those resources. With every team in the ACC chasing perennial power Clemson at the top of the throne, the idea of improvements in short order could be attractive to winners who recently stepped away from the sideline.
But without getting ahead of ourselves, Florida State's hot board must be taken in without garnet-colored glasses and guarded by realistic expectations. There's a rebuild in order for the next guy who will have to clean up the ruins left by Taggart.
CBS Sports college football insider Tom Fornelli put together a list of potential coaching options for the Seminoles and the likelihood each of them could land in Tallahassee:
CBS Sports: "Stoops stepped down from Oklahoma when he could have possibly added another national title to his resume. He was ready to walk away from college football, but what if he's itching to get back in the game? He has since accepted a job coaching the XFL's Dallas Renegades, so he clearly wants to be around football."
247Sports: In September, Stoops said "we'll see" when asked about a potential return to coaching in the college ranks. After 18 successful seasons with the Sooners, would Florida State be enticing enough? Stoops would be a Grade A addition in Tallahassee and bring the Seminoles back to prominence in short order. But are the chances realistic?
CBS Sports: "Florida State's made it clear that this isn't going to happen, nor do I think it's realistic. But ... he's Meyer. Would the USC job be a better fit? Yes. Would Florida fans throw a fit? Yes."
247Sports: Would the Seminoles really ignore Meyer if he was interested? Florida State would be doing itself a disservice by not gauging interest. He's a three-time national champion and while he comes with baggage, has proved his name is synonymous with winning. Meyer is waiting for a big-boy job before returning to the sideline and Florida State fits the bill.
CBS Sports: "If you can't get Bob Stoops, why not his brother? He doesn't get much national attention, but Mark Stoops has done a fantastic job at Kentucky. Stoops spent three seasons as Florida State's defensive coordinator before taking over a Kentucky program without much success or history, and he's built it into something respectable."
247Sports: Someone who has always done more with less, Stoops could be an absolute home run with Florida State's talent level. He has recruited well at a mid-tier Power 5 in the SEC and wouldn't have to endure the weekly meat grinder against nationally-ranked competition in the ACC. At some point, a major program will lure Stoops away from Lexington and the Wildcats know it.
CBS Sports: "He obviously already has Power Five coaching experience at Tennessee and USC, but FSU may be risk-adverse in this search."
247Sports: A name always mentioned as a candidate when a Top 15 job opens up, Kiffin has lost some of his luster since winning a conference championship in his first season with the Owls. Kiffin enjoys living in Florida and would only have to move a few hours north should this become a real possibility. It wouldn't hold the splash it once had, but Florida State coming to terms with Kiffin would at least move the needle nationally and add some intrigue to the Seminoles heading into 2020.
CBS Sports: "Would Fleck row his boat down to Tallahassee? While Fleck has a personality that you're either going to love or hate, it's hard to question what he's done as a coach."
247Sports: Proven winner at multiple programs? You're looking at him. Any time Fleck is mentioned in coaching searches, you see Minnesota fans on social media come out of hiding to try and protect their investment on the sideline. Minnesota is not a destination job for an ascending coach like Fleck, who is a couple wins away from playing for a Playoff berth at a Top 50 program. That's impressive.
CBS Sports: "Would Florida State be the kind of job to finally lure Venables away? Would he want to go head-to-head with Dabo Swinney in the ACC after such a long working relationship? Nobody needs to tell Florida State about the job Venables has done with the Clemson defense."
247Sports: At some point, staff continuity will end for Dabo Swinney at Clemson and you have to think Venables will be the first assistant to get a head coaching job. Jeff Scott and Tony Elliott are equally talented, but Venables is the guy everyone talks about as a potential program difference-maker at his own school. Considering the talent he has been able to bring to the Tigers on the recruiting trail, Florida State would love that level of prestige.
CBS Sports: "He has Cincinnati looking strong in the AAC, but the former Ohio State linebacker has spent his entire coaching career in the state of Ohio."
247Sports: No BS and all grit, Fickell's teams play physical, something he learned from his previous coaching stint with the Buckeyes. Florida State would undergo a blue-collar level transformation under Fickell's leadership and might like the results. Against teams of equal or lesser talent, Fickell wins. His only loss this season came to the unbeaten Buckeyes on the road.
CBS Sports: "The Tigers are poised to play for the AAC tile once again and may be the Group of Five's representative in the New Year's Six bowls this postseason."
247Sports: Coming off one of the biggest wins over his coaching career over the weekend vs. previously-unbeaten SMU, Norvell's star shines bright right now. But hiring him in Tallahassee would be similar to what the Seminoles tried with Taggart — successful Group of 5 coach and recruiter, going into that might be too big for him. Norvell will get a Power 5 job at some point, but it won't be at one of the bluebloods.
CBS Sports: "It wouldn't be sexy, but Clawson is a program builder that's done well for himself wherever he's gone. The question is if that makes sense for a Florida State program that's not exactly in the mood to wait anymore."
247Sports: No disrespect to Clawson, but the Seminoles would have to go after a bigger name, right? But in need of another offensive-minded coach ala Jimbo Fisher, Clawson would provide immediate assistance on that side of the football and his teams are known for being disciplined. Florida State was one of the most undisciplined programs in college football under Taggart and that needs to change.
CBS Sports: "Depending on who you ask, Leach nearly left Washington State for Tennessee a couple of years ago. Given how much time he spends in Key West, Florida, you have to think he'd have some interest in coaching in the Sunshine State -- even at the opposite end."
247Sports: Leach is a different bird and not for everyone, but this would be a headline stealer for the Seminoles. Imagine the number of season tickets Florida State would sell after this announcement? The Air Raid in Tallahassee would be a lot of fun, but Leach's teams have rarely fielded a defense and in big games, his career record leaves a lot to be desired. Bombastic at times, Leach would at least make Florida State relevant again.