Florida State acknowledges that changes are in order — but the pending program renovation won’t include a new head coach.
The Seminoles are running it back with coach Mike Norvell, who will return in 2026 for his seventh season at the helm, the team announced Sunday.
Mike Norvell will return as head coach of the Florida State Seminoles in 2026, the team announced Sunday. AP
The reunion was fueled by a “complete agreement” between Norvell and FSU administrators that structural shifts needed to be made for the betterment of the program, which has posted a brutal 5–6 record and must defeat Florida in its final game of the season to avoid losing bowl eligibility for the second straight year.
“Coach Norvell embraces our support in that process and agrees that success must be achieved,” said university president Richard McCullough in a statement. “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.”
Florida State also avoids having to cough up roughly $53.3 million in buyout fees to Norvell, who inked a massive contract extension after the 2023 season — which would have been the third-most expensive buyout in college football history.
The bloated sum trails just behind Brian Kelly’s $53.8 million buyout from LSU, though Kelly recently filed legal action against the program, alleging foul play on the terms of his recent firing as a way for the Tigers to skirt paying his hefty exit fee.
With the move, FSU avoids having to pay Norvell’s near $54 million buyout. Getty Images
FSU can now allocate those resources toward bolstering recruiting, roster development, and supporting personnel, all points of emphasis for the program moving forward, sources told ESPN.
Florida State has posted an underwhelming 38–33 record during Norvell’s six-year tenure with just two winning seasons.
While the Seminoles captured the ACC title in 2023, they have dropped to 7–16 in the last two seasons and haven’t won a single game on the road.
Concerns around Norvell’s job security reached a boiling point after the Seminoles followed up a 3–0 start — including a win over Alabama — with just two wins in their last eight games, punctuated by a double-digit loss to NC State on Nov. 21.
Concerns around Mike Norvell’s job security reached a boiling point after the team fell to NC State on Nov. 21. Getty Images
Still, the athletic department remained optimistic for Norvell to turn things around, drawing on strong improvements from last season, when the Seminoles finished with their worst record since 1974 (2–10).
As pointed out by Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger, FSU’s offense made the “largest turnaround in the country” this season, now ranking top 10 in the country. The Noles also sit in the top 30 on the defensive end.
With their postseason plans hanging in the balance, the Seminoles will march down to Gainesville to face the Gators (3–8) in their regular-season finale on Nov. 29.