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Florida State Fires Mike Norvell After 3-5 Start
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In Short: Norvell, who was hired in December 2019 from Memphis, compiled a 41-39 record during his time at Florida State and a 79-54 record over 11 seasons as a collegiate head coach.
Florida State University President Richard McCullough announced on Sunday that the school had fired head coach Mike Norvell following a 36-24 loss to Clemson.
McCullough stated, "We have made the decision to change the leadership of our football program." He added, "We thank Mike Norvell for his commitment and service to Florida State and wish him and his family the very best."
Norvell's firing comes after a tumultuous period for the program, which saw a 2-10 record in 2024 and a 4-0 start in 2025 that included a Week 1 win over Alabama.
Norvell had five full seasons remaining on his contract, which now requires Florida State to pay him 85% of his remaining compensation, which can be paid monthly through 2032.
The decision to fire Norvell was preceded by the dismissal of athletic director Michael Alford in September, signaling that Norvell's position was precarious.
FSU Athletic Director David Warwick stated that Norvell was able to talk to the team once he received the news.
What this adds
Norvell's firing and the subsequent search for a new coach are expected to cost the university approximately $100 million.
What's confirmed
- — Florida State has moved on from head coach Mike Norvell, with FSU president Richard McCullough officially announcing his firing on Sunday following a 36-24 loss to Clemson.
- "We thank Mike Norvell for his commitment and service to Florida State and wish him and his family the very best. We understand the deep passion of Seminole fans and share their high expectations for this program. We are confident in Rick Stockstill's ability to provide steady leadership during this transition. We will conduct a thorough national search for the program's next leader, someone who embraces Florida State's tradition of championship athletics and our standard of excellence."
What's still developing
- FSU hired Norvell in December 2019 away from Memphis, where he spent four seasons as head coach.
- He lost 17 of his last 21 ACC games with the Noles.
- Sources told On3 that firing Norvell and his staff, along with making the next hire, would cost roughly $100 million.
- Mike Norvell had been working on borrowed time at Florida State for well over a year, spared largely by a buyout of nearly $50 million that dates back to the Seminoles’ remarkable 2023 season, a 13–1 campaign that feels like a lifetime ago for the fans in Tallahassee.
- Norvell leaves with a 41–39 record with FSU, but went just 10–23 in the last three seasons.
- Pressure had been building on Norvell since 2024, when Florida State followed up its championship year in the ACC with a 2-10 mark.
- Norvell, who signed an eight-year, $84 million extension after leading the Seminoles to a 13-1 record and the ACC title during the 2023 season, posted a 3-5 record this year and a 41-39 mark during his six-plus seasons in Tallahassee, Fla.
- The shorthanded Seminoles suffered a 63-3 Orange Bowl loss to Georgia and Norvell's program never appeared to recover.
- Norvell signed an eight-year contract extension prior to the 2024 season valued at more than $84 million through 2031, averaging roughly $10 million annually.
- Following the 2024 season, Norvell agreed to a restructured arrangement that directed $4.5 million toward institutional revenue-sharing initiatives.