State of Florida fired the head coach Mike Norvell after seven seasons, sources tell On3’s Chris Low, Brett McMurphy and Pete Nakos. The Seminoles lost to Clemson 36-24 on Saturday night, dropping them to 3-5 on the season and 1-4 in ACC play.
The Seminoles owe Norvell about $51 million for a buyout, according to his contract. Sources told On3 that firing Norvell and his team, as well as the next hire, would cost around $100 million. Norvell’s buyout is the third largest in college football history.
Norvell is 41-39 overall at Florida State with a 23-30 mark in ACC play. Norvell went 2-10 in 2024. It appears the Seminoles took a turn in the right direction to open the 2025 season, knocking off Alabama and starting the year 3-0. Florida State finished the season 5-7 with a 2-6 mark in the ACC.
Over the last three seasons, Norvell is 4-17 in ACC play. Doak Campbell Stadium was nearly empty midway through the fourth quarter, when the Seminoles tried to come back but were unsuccessful.
Florida State is three seasons removed from a 13-win season and won its first ACC title since 2014. The Seminoles did not make the College Football Playoff, losing to Georgia in the Orange Bowl.
Norvell was one of the top names at the position at Alabama when Nick Saban retired in January 2024. He signed a contract extension to stay at Florida State, telling ESPN at the time that it was “the heart and the opportunity of what we have here and what we’re going to build on.”
In 2022, Mike Norvell led Florida State to its first 10-win season since 2016. He was hired in December 2019 after four seasons at Memphis. Norvell initially signed a six-year, $26.5 million contract.
Florida State President Richard McCullough said in a letter last week that the institution is “methodically working on a plan” to position the school for sustained success. Norvell was not mentioned in the letter.
“Florida State should compete for championships, develop exceptional student-athletes, attract exceptional coaches and staff, and operate with the resources, leadership and commitment necessary to succeed at the highest level of college athletics,” McCullough said in the letter. “This standard is non-negotiable.”
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