During its bye in Week 9, Florida State University athletic director Michael Aflord released a statement suggesting that Mike Norvell would remain as head coach through the remainder of the regular season.
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Following the regular season, FSU plans to conduct a “comprehensive assessment” of Norvell and the program before the 2026 season.
Questions have surfaced about FSU and Norvell in recent weeks. On Oct. 31, Sports Illustrated reported that the program didn’t have enough funding to fire Norvell, pay his approximate $54 to $59 million buyout, hire a new head coach, and fund a competitive roster in 2026.
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Via Sports Illustrated:
“Florida State could be on the hook for the second-biggest buyout in the sport’s history—money that the school, at least for now, does not have. That could change by December. In an ideal world for some in the administration, the Noles would be able to turn things around down the stretch and kick any decision over Norvell’s future to 2026…
“Many prominent donors at the school, according to a source, have already soured on the current staff and the issue may come to a head sooner rather than later if the team doesn’t win out.”
Things appear to have changed following FSU’s 24-10 loss in the disappointment bowl to a down (4-5) Clemson team in front of 81,500 fans at Memorial Stadium. (One week after the Seminoles defeated Wake Forest 42-7.)
Per Pete Nakos of On3, there is still a money problem in Tallahassee after the Noles dropped to 4-5. The problem isn’t how to pay Norvell’s buyout. Florida State is concerned it will not receive enough funds from boosters to assemble a competitive roster in 2026 if Norvell is retained.
Boosters realize that even if they retain Norvell, they could still be on the hook for a lot of money to buy out the head coach after the 2026 season.
There’s no reason to think Norvell can turn things around in 2026, given this season’s results from the nearly $20 million spent on a roster that is in jeopardy of missing a bowl game.
FSU has three more games remaining this season. The Noles will host Virginia Tech in Week 12 before traveling to NC State on Nov. 21 and ending the season on the road against Florida on Nov. 29.
For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.