Paul Finebaum blasts CFP rankings over Alabama-Tennessee mess

Paul Finebaum questioned the appeal of Florida State’s head coaching opening on Wednesday.

The ESPN analyst appeared on “McElroy and Cubelic” and said he does not view the job as attractive.

“I don’t think that’s a good job at all,” Finebaum said.

He argued that Florida State’s brand has been “devalued.”

He said the program’s national image has taken a significant hit.

The criticism comes days after Florida State fired head coach Mike Norvell.

Norvell finished his seven-year tenure with a 41-39 record.

The Seminoles are 3-5 this season.

They have missed bowl games in each of the last two years.

In 2023, Norvell led Florida State to a 13-0 record and an ACC championship.

That season ended with a College Football Playoff snub that still stings in Tallahassee.

Since then, the program has collapsed.

Rick Stockstill is serving as interim head coach.

Florida State is conducting a national search for a permanent replacement.

Finebaum did acknowledge some advantages.

He pointed to Florida State’s location in a talent-rich recruiting area.

He also noted that the ACC remains a conference where a quick turnaround can create a realistic path to the postseason.

Still, he compared the challenge to Nebraska’s long-running attempt to return to national prominence.

Nebraska has not won a conference championship since 1999.

The Cornhuskers have not finished ranked in the AP poll since 2012.

Finebaum sees a similar trajectory for Florida State.

The conversation turned to potential candidates.

Former Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher was mentioned.

Fisher led the Seminoles to a national championship in 2013.

He left for Texas A&M in 2018 and was fired by the Aggies in 2023.

Finebaum said he was unsure how realistic a Fisher reunion would be.

He questioned whether a second stint would work.

He still considers Fisher a strong coach at his core.

Brian Kelly was also mentioned as a veteran name who could enter the discussion.

Kelly is the head coach at LSU.

He has led the Tigers to a 6-2 record this season.

Not everyone shares Finebaum’s pessimistic view of the opening.

Kelly said Wednesday that Florida State still carries major brand recognition.

He called leading the program an “honor and privilege” if the opportunity were ever presented.

That contrast may define the early stages of Florida State’s search.

Finebaum sees a program whose value has fallen considerably.

Florida State is betting that its history, recruiting territory, and championship expectations are still enough to attract the right coach.

The Seminoles have won three national championships, the most recent in 2013.

They have produced 37 consensus All-Americans and 31 first-round NFL draft picks.

Their home stadium, Doak Campbell Stadium, seats nearly 80,000 fans.

They play in the ACC, which has an automatic bid to the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff.

That path is easier than in the SEC or Big Ten.

Still, the program has lost its edge.

Florida State has not won 10 games in a season since 2016.

The Seminoles have finished ranked in the AP poll only once in the last seven years.

Recruiting has slipped.

Florida State’s 2025 recruiting class ranked 15th nationally, according to 247Sports.

The 2024 class ranked 10th.

Those classes are good but not elite.

Georgia, Alabama, and Ohio State consistently sign top-five classes.

Florida State has not signed a top-five class since 2017.

The coaching search will test whether the brand still has pull.

Several names have been floated.

Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein has been mentioned.

Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman has been mentioned.

Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell has been mentioned.

None of those names generate the excitement of a home-run hire.

Finebaum’s comments reflect a broader skepticism about the job.

Other media figures have echoed similar doubts.

The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman wrote that Florida State is “not the destination job it once was.”

CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd said the program’s “window of relevance may have closed.”

Florida State’s administration is aware of the perception.

Athletic director Michael Alford has said the school will conduct a “thorough and deliberate” search.

Alford has not set a timeline for a hire.

The search is being assisted by a consulting firm.

Florida State has the resources to pay a top coach.

The program spent $8.5 million on Norvell’s salary in 2025.

The buyout for Norvell’s contract is reportedly around $20 million.

That money will be paid over time.

Florida State can afford to offer a competitive salary to the next coach.

The question is whether the job is attractive enough for a top candidate to take it.

Finebaum’s answer is no.

Kelly’s answer is different.

The two views represent the uncertainty surrounding Florida State’s future.

The next coach will inherit a roster with talent.

Quarterback Brock Glenn has shown flashes.