Florida State football: 5 replacements for Willie Taggart

3. Mike Norvell – Memphis head coach

Norvell and his Memphis program showed out well on the national stage this weekend with a big win over SMU. The face time Norvell got with College Gameday in town will only serve to improve his marketability in the offseason.

Unlike some other coaches on this list, Norvell would bring an exciting offensive system to Tallahassee. His current team showcases one of the most explosive offenses in the country. Florida State fans would love to see what Norvell can do with the talented group of prospects available in the state of Florida on a regular basis.

There are, however, valid questions about whether or not Norvell can craft a defense capable of competing at the highest levels. Hiring Norvell would almost certainly require Florida State to spend big money on a defensive coordinator capable of managing that side of the ball. That’s an expense the Seminoles can definitely afford, but they may prefer to hire a more well-rounded head coach.

Norvell is going to be linked with every big opening this offseason. The jump from Memphis to Florida State might be a little too big for him, but someone’s going to take that kind of chance on the Tigers’ head man. It’s easy to envision Norvell moving to Tallahassee if Coburn and his administration miss out on a top target or two.