Florida State University (FSU) recently experienced a tragic event on April 17, 2025, when a mass shooting occurred on campus. Two people were killed and five others injured in this incident. The shooter, a 20-year-old male and son of a sheriff's deputy, was taken into custody after being shot by law enforcement. The gun used in the shooting belonged to his stepmother, a deputy with the Leon County Sheriff's Office, who is currently on voluntary leave. The university has since held moments of silence and resumed commencement ceremonies while continuing to support the affected community
. Separately, regarding FSU's football program, there has been a notable decline in performance recently. Discussions among fans and analysts suggest that the team has struggled due to a combination of factors including poor coaching decisions, a culture of quitting following a playoff snub, and ineffective use of the transfer portal. This has led to a rapid unraveling of what was once a strong program under coach Norvell. Some attribute the downfall to a failure to adapt to changes such as the NIL era and missed opportunities in recruitment and team culture
. In summary, FSU has been impacted by both a recent campus shooting tragedy and challenges within its football program, reflecting difficulties both in campus safety and athletic performance
