​One of the league’s most embattled coaches took the podium on the first day of the 2026 ACC Kickoff on Wednesday.Florida State’s Mike Norvell was the second coach to speak at media days, and his segment was certainly highly anticipated given the pressure he faces this season. Norvell had the Seminoles on the brink of a College Football Playoff berth in 2023, but the program has bottomed out over the last two seasons, in which Norvell holds just a 7-17 record.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHis seat is viewed as one of the hottest in America, and Norvell will likely need a turnaround to save his job this fall. Here’s what the FSU coach had to say during his press conference on Wednesday.Though the last couple of years have been rough for the Seminoles, Norvell said that experience will be a boon for his squad this fall.”It’s a team that’s hungry with the work, but also how they’ve continued to gel together. It’s a talented group. It’s one that’s got a great mix of guys that’ve been here through the journey. I think every position has some key contributors that’ve been here for multiple years, that’ve come through the high school ranks that’ve had a chance to grow and develop through highs and lows.”AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFor the fourth year in a row, FSU will have a new starting quarterback this fall. The Seminoles brought in Ashton Daniels, who started at Stanford in 2024 and for Auburn down the stretch in 2025. Though he has been a bit inconsistent, Norvell said Daniels is becoming comfortable in the offense.”When he came into the program, I had a lot of excitement and did a ton of research getting to know Ashton and his journey, who he is, what I could expect. I talked to every head coach that he’s been under, basically every coach he’s been with, so I had a pretty good feel of the young man that was coming in. But I’ve been so very pleased since he got here in January. …He came in with no promises. He came in to earn the job, he came in to win the job. That’s something he showed through his productivity, in his work and earning the respect of his teammates.”…Through the summer, you’ve seen the comfort whether it’s within he quarterback drops, the way he’s throwing the football. You can turn on the film and see the playmaking ability and glimpses he’s shown throughout his career. But he’s been progressed through it, he’s been in a lot of different situations, too. He got thrown in the fire early, and all different dynamics with team and guys that are around him. I believe he’s got a really talented group and he’s embraced what that expectation is for him.”AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRobinson was a bright spot on last year’s 5-7 squad, finishing with 1,081 yards and six touchdowns. Norvell said he has continued to grow and become a leader for the team.”This football team has Duce’s DNA around it. That’s one of the greatest compliments I can give a player. From that time back in January, this is what is neede