It has been a rough few years for Florida State football's head coach Mike Norvell. Norvell has lost a lot of games since his team was snubbed from the College Football Playoff, during the 2023 season. Despite his mediocre record since then, the Seminoles aren't in a hurry to fire the head coach.
A new report from The Athletic's Bruce Feldman states that Norvell's seat is hot, but cooling slowly.
“His buyout is around $50 million. That is huge, especially for Florida State,” Feldman wrote for the outlet.
Feldman spoke with a source who revealed that Florida State is trying to hold on to Norvell.
“They want to keep him,” an industry source told The Athletic. “They know they need to put more into the program. They’re playing better. He just can’t seem to catch a break.”
Norvell has not taken the Seminoles to the CFP. He has had a rough few seasons. In 2026, the Seminoles are 3-4 overall. Florida State is currently 1-3 in the ACC.
Mike Norvell has struggled overall during his Florida State tenure
Despite this report, there are rumors that Norvell will be given the boot soon. He has posted losing seasons in both 2024 and 2025. Norvell has coached at Florida State since 2020, but only appeared in two bowl games.
Feldman points to a few reasons why Florida State has been struggling.
Article Continues Below“Roster management has been a huge issue; so has the defense. The Noles are No. 122 in yards per play allowed,” Feldman wrote.
Even though Florida State has lost a lot of games the last few years, the Seminoles have been competitive.
“If the Hurricanes had blown out FSU, that could’ve led to more tough conversations for the Seminoles brass. But instead, Florida State gave now-No. 1 Miami all it could handle. This team clearly has not quit on Norvell, and that matters. They gave Alabama a tough game in Tuscaloosa, blew out Virginia by 31 points and lost by only three to then-No. 19 SMU,” Feldman wrote.
Florida State is next in action against Clemson. That game is scheduled for October 31.