Why Florida State shouldn’t fire Mike Norvell after embarrassing ordeal to SMU

Coach Mike Norvell found himself firmly on the hot seat entering the 2026 college football season after a 5-7 2025 campaign, a narrative he attempted to shut down with preseason comments. Norvell’s team started with its back against the wall and opened up with an unimpressive 34-17 home win over New Mexico State on Aug. 29, setting the stage for Monday night’s game against ACC foe SMU.

The No. 19 Mustangs proved too much for Norvell’s team, handing Florida State a 27-24 home loss and casting another dark cloud over a Seminoles program that has fallen substantially since its undefeated 2023 regular season.

The Seminoles gave up 585 passing yards and 8.7 yards per play to coach Rhett Lashlee’s Mustangs, a shocking result for a program known for its stellar pass defenses over the years. Norvell’s record with the Seminoles now stands at 39-34, an unacceptable mark for a highly paid coach at what used to be one of college football’s premier programs.

Fans are calling for the end of the Norvell era at Florida State, but now is not the time to make a coaching move in Tallahassee for several key reasons.

Mike Norvell’s last stand?

The Seminoles have a bye week next up on the schedule before traveling to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to take on coach Kalen DeBoer’s No. 13 Crimson Tide on September 19. Norvell’s experience is needed to lead the program into what is one of the toughest road trips in college football.

September 19 also represents a golden opportunity for Norvell to rally the troops and put together a game plan capable of leading the Seminoles to what could be a job-saving victory against sophomore quarterback Keelon Russell and the Tide.

Dismissing Norvell now would put the Seminoles in a tough spot entering their next game. Preparing for one of the SEC’s top programs is tough enough without the distraction of a high-profile firing, making now the perfect time for FSU athletic director Michael Alford to show support for his football team’s head coach.

Without Alford’s support, expect more talk of Norvell on the hot seat, which would only serve as a distraction heading into the meat of Florida State’s schedule.

Expensive buyout

Buying out Norvell’s contract before the end of the 2026 season would be a costly pivot for Alford and the Seminoles as Norvell would be owed approximately $51 million according to On3.com. Waiting until the end of the season would save over $4 million, and give Alford extra time to put together his list of potential replacements while waiting in the wings for other coaching changes to be made and candidates to become available.

Norvell’s current contract is valued at more than $84 million and runs through 2031, a commitment that Florida State should be careful about ending too soon.

The QB question

Florida State’s loss to the Mustangs looks bad on paper for fans used to the old guard of BCS and College Football Playoff era college football, but SMU is a rising program coming off a 2025 College Football Playoff appearance.

Senior quarterback Kevin Jennings gave Lashlee’s team a big edge at the best position on the field Monday night, which helped to negate an otherwise powerful home-field advantage for the Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium. He threw for 430 yards and three touchdowns, reminding Florida State fans how much a star quarterback can mean to his team.

The Seminoles haven’t been anywhere near the same program since Jordan Travis’ season-ending leg injury in 2023, which cost Norvell’s program a trip to the College Football Playoff. Norvell and the Seminoles can’t change the past, but they can continue to fight to get back on the winning track, something they did admirably on Monday night.

Norvell’s days may be numbered in Tallahassee, and the end of his Seminoles career might not be far off. Firing him now might scratch the itch of a justifiably angry and frustrated Florida State fanbase, but it’s not the wisest course of action considering the Seminoles could be one star quarterback transfer, or one big win against Alabama, away from getting back on the right track.

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