FORT WORTH, TX – SEPTEMBER 2: Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes watches action against the TCU Horned Frogs during the first half at Amon G. Carter Stadium on September 2, 2023 in Fort Worth, Texas.
It’s obviously way too early to form a truly educated opinion on this but let’s try to break it down. Did FSU make a mistake by not hiring Deion Sanders?
Deion Sanders is a living legend in the football world. Having tremendous success at every stage – he was a two-time All-American at Florida State, and he won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's best defensive back in 1988. NFL Hall of Famer, successful career as an analyst, and now seeing immediate success as a coach.
Deion at Jackson State
In 2020, Sanders was hired as the head coach at Jackson State, an HBCU in Mississippi. Sanders quickly turned around the program, leading the Tigers to a 10-3 record in his first season and earning the SWAC Coach of the Year.
Sanders' success at Jackson State led to speculation that he would be a candidate for the head coaching job at Florida State. At that time, FSU still had the Willy Taggert debacle fresh on their minds and looking for a savior.
However, FSU ultimately decided to hire Mike Norvell, the head coach at Memphis. Norvell had a good track record at Memphis, and he was seen as a more traditional fit for the job. Sanders was disappointed by the decision, but he said that he would “support” Norvell and the Seminoles. By support, I’m pretty sure he meant – nah, I’m scorned and now I’m going to come poach your players! And that’s exactly what he’s been doing, starting with arguably the best player in the country, two-way star Travis Hunter.
So, did FSU make a mistake by not hiring Deion Sanders?
Finally, it's hard to say for sure. Norvell is a good coach, and he finally has the Seminoles trending in the right direction – currently sitting at #3 in the country at the time of this article. He's an absolute stud in the transfer portal and has earned the players respect. FSU made the decision that they thought was best, and only time will tell if it was the right one. What do you think?
School is in full swing for the 2023-2024 school year, and so is the football season, the Greek life and the college partying. Which schools are the top party schools in Florida?
Of course the parents of freshman who were just dropped off a few weeks ago are cringing as they read this. No doubt hoping that as they scroll they won't see their child's school listed as one of the top party schools in Florida.
The folks over at Niche recently released this year's list of 2023 - 2024 party schools in the Sunshine State.
Methodology
The Top Party Schools ranking is based on student reviews and nightlife statistics. There are five factors that are considered when making the list.
Student opinions obviously go a long way with these rankings. I mean, 70% of the grades coming from student surveys?! Wow, that's basically the deciding factor here.
Seemingly absent from the top of the list are a few larger universities from the southern part of the state, including FGCU (#17). I was surprised not to see the University of South Florida (#12) in Tampa and Florida Atlantic University (#16) over in Boca Raton, too.
With that said, there were a few surprises at the top of the list. Several smaller schools have cracked into the top 10 on this year's list of party schools in Florida.
#10. Florida International University
Florida International University is located in Miami, so this doesn't come as a surprise with all that Miami has to offer.
Party School Grade: A-
#9. Rollins College
Rollins College is one of the smaller schools to top the list. Located in Winter Park, less than 30 minutes from the University of Central Florida, Rollins College students can take advantage of the big university town perks, without the size of the school
Party School Grade: A
#8. Eckerd College
Another school on the smaller side, out of St. Petersburg, FL. Again, plenty to do in the St. Pete/Tampa area with a small school feel.
Party School Grade: A
#7. University of Central Florida
University of Central Florida is located on the outskirts of Orlando, which is of course home to one of the states best football teams, making game days a huge party on and off campus.
Party School Grade: A
#6. University of Tampa
Location here is obvious. One student said, "My experience at the University of Tampa has been amazing! The campus in basically in the middle of downtown Tampa is a growing and developing city that offers so many things to do."
Party School Grade: A-
#5. Bethune-Cookman University
Located in Daytona Beach. Enough said.
Party School Grade: A+
#4. University of Florida
University of Florida is the heart of Gainesville. Academics and athletics are outstanding at UF, and apparently so is the social scene. Recently named best Public University in the US.
Party School Grade: A+
#3. University of Miami
It's all in the name. Minutes from some of the best nightlife in the country, the beaches are stunning and the weather allows for year round outdoor partying. Academics and athletics at UM are also outstanding.
Party School Grade: A+
#2. Florida A&M University
#1 and #2 party schools are located less than 3 miles apart, which probably means they're sharing the party scene up in Tallahassee.
Party School Grade: A+
#1. Florida State University
The Florida State University is off to a great 2023-24 season. The Noles football team is looking good this year, ranked at #3 in the AP poll, giving the students plenty to get excited about. Tallahassee is a college town through and through. And with #2 party school FAMU just 3 miles away, two schools are better than one.
Party School Grade: A+
This article was written by guest columnist AJ Lurie
