Clemson's Swinney irked by banner urging FSU to fire Norvell - ESPN

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney called the pregame banner urging Florida State officials to fire Mike Norvell «embarrassing,» «shameful» and «disrespectful» after the Tigers defeated the Seminoles 36-24 on Saturday night in Tallahassee.

Norvell has come under increasing pressure after another tough start to the season. With the loss to Clemson, Florida State dropped to 3-5 and 1-4 in ACC play, tied with Georgia Tech for last place. Earlier in the week, university president Richard McCullough acknowledged the fan frustration in a letter to supporters but also urged them to support the student-athletes and pack Doak Campbell Stadium.

That did not stop an airplane from flying above the stadium with a banner that read «Fire Novell,» spelling his name incorrectly.

Swinney mentioned the banner unprompted in his postgame news conference, saying, «That was embarrassing what I saw above the stadium. Florida State's better than that. That's not good for these kids. That bothered me, and they didn't even spell his name right. Didn't even have the freaking R in the name. It's just disrespectful.

»There's so many good people at this place and in this program. I've always had a lot of respect for Florida State. Bobby Bowden was one of my heroes in life. [Norvell] ain't gonna say it, but I'll say it. I was freaking disappointed to see that. Hell, they may be flying one around Clemson next time I'm home, but I doubt it. I doubt it. But whoever did that, man, you ought to be ashamed of yourself."

Swinney went on to defend Norvell, in his seventh season with the Seminoles. Since winning the ACC title in 2023, Norvell has gone 10-22, and fan frustration has reached a boiling point. Florida State, a six-point favorite going into the game, has