Florida State president Richard McCullough isn't asking fans to believe everything is fine: 'We know it isn’t'

Florida State President Richard McCullough is facing criticism over the state of his university's athletic department. In a letter to Seminoles fans, McCullough addressed the turmoil surrounding the football program and the lack of a new athletic director following the firing of Mike Alford in September. McCullough assured fans that he understands their frustration and shared their expectations for FSU football and overall athletics.

He emphasized that the university is working on a plan to position itself for long-term success but acknowledged that meaningful change takes time. He also highlighted the $430 million debt burden of the athletic department. The letter did not mention head coach Mike Norvell by name, but his tenure has been marked by mixed results, including a 10-game winning streak in 2022, an undefeated conference record in 2023, and a controversial non-inclusion in the College Football Playoff.

Since then, the Seminoles have struggled, with three losses to ranked opponents and a 2-10 record in 2024. Despite the challenges, McCullough reiterated his commitment to supporting current student-athletes and appealing to fans to continue backing the team.