Florida State parts ways with Mike Norvell, triggering a massive buyout
The Seminoles dismissed their head coach on Sunday after a 36-24 loss to Clemson, incurring a buyout cost of approximately $47 million.
By Talia Bennett ·
Florida State University dismissed head football coach Mike Norvell on Sunday, roughly 12 hours after the Seminoles lost a home game to Clemson. The decision comes despite a buyout clause that places Norvell’s contract among the most expensive in the history of college football.
The university agreed to pay approximately $47 million to end Norvell’s contract, which was set to run through the 2031 season. This figure represents 85% of his remaining salary. The total cost could exceed $50 million if the school also buys out his assistant coaching staff. Norvell was scheduled to earn $10.3 million in 2026 alone. His contract includes offset language that may reduce the buyout amount if he secures a new coaching position.
Richard McCullough, the university president, announced the change in leadership in a statement. He thanked Norvell for his service and acknowledged the high expectations held by Seminole fans. Rick Stockstill, an assistant coach, will serve as the interim head coach while the school searches for a permanent replacement. The team travels to Boston College on Saturday to face the Eagles.
Norvell compiled a 41-39 record over his six-plus years in Tallahassee. The Seminoles finished the last two seasons with losing records. The team is 1-5 against Power Four programs this fall, including Saturday’s 36-24 defeat to Clemson, where Florida State was favored by five points. The program has not beaten Miami, Florida, or Clemson since the 2023 season. His quarterbacks, DJ Uiagalelei, Tommy Castellanos, and Ashton Daniels, faced accuracy issues throughout the period.
The dismissal follows a period of intense frustration among fans. McCullough wrote in a statement last Tuesday that the administration did not ask supporters to ignore the results or believe everything was fine. The school had previously fired athletic director Michael Alford in mid-September. Florida State has struggled since 2015, posting a 44-49 record under Jimbo Fisher, Willie Taggart, and Norvell. That streak of losses was interrupted by a 19-game winning run that ended with an ACC title game appearance in December 2023.
Norvell’s buyout is larger than the combined buyouts for Mike Locksley at Maryland, Dave Doeren at N.C. State, and Dave Aranda at Baylor. The opening at Florida State is now the fourth vacancy among Power Four schools. The Seminoles currently hold a 3-5 overall record and a 1-4 mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
