When the topic of Florida State’s disappointing 2017 season comes up, many blame a so-called "perfect storm" for the team’s downfall. On the one hand, there’s no denying an unusual series of unfortunate events greatly contributed to FSU’s 4-6 record. On the other hand, you shouldn’t blame the storm when you live in a straw house.

There were a handful of questionable decisions, moves and oversights that placed FSU in a vulnerable position entering this season. The "storm" has since exposed these shortcomings, and the program is now paying the price.

Here are five gaffes that greatly contributed to the team’s downfall in 2017:

* Miscalculation in 2014 DC hire and subsequent raise – Following the 2013 season, linebackers coach Charles Kelly was promoted to defensive coordinator after Jeremy Pruitt unexpectedly bolted for Georgia. Kelly was hardly the first choice as FSU first struck out on a couple of high-profile targets. Instead of continuing the search, Fisher put his trust in an unproven coordinator. Compounding the mistake, Kelly got a huge raise and a five-year contract in 2015 when Auburn reportedly made him a huge offer.

* Shortcomings in quarterback recruiting – Losing a starting quarterback to injury is going to be a major blow to any team. However, most teams have a viable backup waiting in the wings just in case. But that wasn’t the case for Florida State in 2017. FSU signed ultra-talented Malik Henry as the only quarterback in the 2016 recruiting class despite numerous red flags during his high school career. With plenty of signs (beginning with the 2015 Peach Bowl) that J.J. Cosentino wasn’t catching on, there was good reason to sign a second quarterback in that class, but it didn’t happen. And when Henry flamed out, FSU was left with holding the bag after Francois suffered a season-ending injury in the opener.

* Shift to older coaching staff – It’s amazing how FSU went from having one of the youngest coaching staffs in the ACC to the oldest in just a few years. How old is it? With wide receivers coach Lawrence Dawsey turning 50 last week, there is only one coach on staff under the age of 50-- running backs coach Jay Graham is 42. Jimbo Fisher and five assistants are all in their 50s, and three other coaches are over 60 years of age. There’s nothing wrong with experience, but coaches being generations removed from their players can make it difficult for the two groups to relate to each other. In this day and age, it’s telling that only one coach on the entire staff is active on social media (the primary medium in which high school and college-age people get information and communicate).