Overview
- Drinkwitz told reporters Tuesday that he is "not a candidate at Florida State," saying he wanted to remove distraction ahead of Missouri’s upcoming game at Texas.
- Florida State dismissed Mike Norvell after a 3-5 stretch and named Rick Stockstill interim coach, leaving the program responsible for an estimated $50 million buyout.
- Drinkwitz signed a multi-year extension through 2031 last season with reported total value near $64.2 million, a factor that makes an immediate departure less likely.
- Missouri is 6-2 and ranked in national polls, and Drinkwitz stressed the need for a distraction-free environment as the Tigers enter a stretch of games at Texas, at No. 2 Georgia, and vs. No. 8 Kentucky.
- Media coverage says FSU will prioritize proven head coaches but the Norvell buyout and the lack of a permanent athletic director are expected to slow the search and narrow the realistic candidate pool.