After a month-long “comprehensive assessment” of the Florida State football program and Mike Norvell, administrators have come to a decision to retain the coach in 2026.
A statement by FSU on Sunday afternoon announced the decision. Without mentioning specifics, “With support from FSU leadership, Norvell has pledged to institute fundamental changes in specific areas to improve performance to meet FSU’s championship standard.”
Those “fundamental changes” were not outlined, but personnel changes could be made among assistant coaches and front office staff. Norvell has been loyal to a number of coaches and off-field staff who were retained after a 2-10 season in 2024 but that could change.
“FSU Board of Trustees Chairman Peter Collins, Vice President and Director of Athletics Michael Alford, and I are in complete agreement that changes are needed for our program to improve,” FSU president Dr. Richard McCullough said in a statement. “Coach Norvell embraces our support in that process and agrees that success must be achieved. He continues to demonstrate an unwavering belief in this program’s future, and so do we. This decision reflects a unified commitment to competing in the rapidly evolving landscape of college football, while maintaining continuity within the program.”
FSU (5-6) will play at Florida (3-8) in the regular-season finale on Saturday in Gainesville at 4:30 p.m. (ESPN2). Could the announcement on Norvell’s future take pressure off the Seminoles on Saturday.
“You see the guys jump around at practice,” defensive coordinator Tony White said on Sunday evening. “You see, again, it's just good vibes. Positive energy hopefully perpetuates itself into more positive energy.”
Norvell is 38-33 in six seasons at FSU but that includes inexplicable losses in guarantee games (to Jacksonville State in 2021 and Memphis in 2024) as well as going 3-13 in ACC games the last two seasons.
“This program has been built on belief, sacrifice, and putting the team first,” Norvell said in a statement. “That set of values has always guided my actions, and those of our players. The driving motivation behind this is to make certain that we are doing everything properly to obtain and retain elite players, add critical pieces, and sustain long-term success. I love Florida State, and I am fully committed to this program, and our shared goals.”
Norvell's buyout is massive, estimated at $58 million (short of the record-setting $75 million that Texas A&M paid Jimbo Fisher). If Norvell were to be bought out in 2026, he would be paid at 85 percent of his salary through the end of the contract in 2031 (less any salary paid by a future employer).
Why isn’t FSU making a move? Among the plausible answers is a very busy coaching carousel, with openings at LSU, Florida, Penn State and Arkansas. While James Franklin landed at Virginia Tech, the big domino will be Lane Kiffin and his decision — to stay at Ole Miss, go to LSU or Florida or perhaps the NFL.
Florida State, Wisconsin, Maryland and Baylor are among the schools opting to retain coaches during underwhelming seasons as a result of expensive buyouts as well as the coaching carousel.
FSU athletics and Seminole Boosters have spent roughly $400 million on the transformation of Doak Campbell Stadium as well as a new football building adjacent to the practice field. The prospect of adding more debt to have Norvell no longer coach was certainly a consideration.
“Our responsibility is to do what gives Florida State the strongest competitive position – not just today, but for years to come,” Alford said in a statement. “Florida State has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in its football program over the past few years with high expectations. Chairman Collins, President McCullough and I are aligned in partnering with Coach and improving our ability to compete for championships. Our mission is unwavering in putting Florida State football at the forefront of college athletics.”
The decision by FSU administrators also comes with about 10 days until the early signing period on Dec. 3. FSU has a top-15 class according to 247Sports and Rivals/On3.
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