FSU footballs Mike Norvell talks mounting pressure during losing streak
FSU football head coach Mike Norvell talks mounting pressure after 3 game losing streak
- Mike Norvell is 36-30 in his sixth season as Florida State football coach.
- Norvell signed an eight-year contract extension worth between $10 million and $11 million per year through 2031.
What started as a season of rebirth for Florida State football is quickly falling back into the ashes. Could a fourth straight loss tonight at Stanford lead to coach Mike Norvell being fired?
FSU rode out a dreadful 2-10 season in 2024 with Norvell, and that strategy seemed to work after a thrilling win over No. 8 Alabama. But the hopes of another ACC championship and the College Football Playoff berth denied in 2023 were dashed after the three-game win streak that started 2025 gave way to a three-game losing skid and a fall from the rankings.
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While quarterback Tommy Castellanos has led one of the most explosive offenses in the country, an underwhelming defense has allowed 36 points per game over the Seminoles’ losing streak. A stunning double-overtime loss at Virginia could be explained away as a fluke, and a 28-22 loss to No. 2 Miami was the undefeated Hurricanes’ closest game since the opener vs. Notre Dame. But FSU fans started turning on Norvell en masse after falling apart in the second half of a 34-31 loss last week at home with a Pittsburgh team led by a freshman quarterback making just his second start.
Norvell’s time in Tallahassee has been anything but normal. His first season after going 38-16 over four seasons at Memphis was the COVID-addled 2020 campaign in which he went 3-6. FSU improved year over year under Norvell until starting 13-0 in 2023 and falling just short of the four-team CFP. Since winning the ACC championship that season, the Seminoles are 5-14 and have lost their last eight conference games and their last seven games away from Doak Campbell Stadium.
Here’s what to know about Norvell’s contract, including how much Florida State would owe him if it decides to fire him after the Stanford game:
Mike Norvell buyout
Florida State owes Norvell about $59.2 million if it chooses to fire him Oct. 19 after the Stanford game, according to contract information obtained by USA TODAY Sports. The buyout total is dictated by his contract, which stipulates Norvell receives 85% of his base salary and supplemental pay for the remainder of the contract. For this contract year, which ends Dec. 31, his base salary is $5.4 million after he and FSU agreed to a one-year salary reduction before the season. Per the terms of the amendment, FSU owes Norvell 85% of the $4.5 million reduction if it chooses to terminate the contract this year.
Norvell’s would be the second-highest buyout ever, ahead of the $49.7 million Penn State owes James Franklin and behind only the $76.8 million Jimbo Fisher got from Texas A&M in 2023. However, it’s highly unlikely FSU would have to pay all that money. According to the contract, Norvell is obligated to mitigate and seek a market-rate salary immediately upon being terminated. If he gets a new job, the amount owed by FSU would be reduced by the amount of Norvell’s new salary.
Norvell’s contract expires Dec. 31, 2031 after signing an extension after the 2023 season. If FSU fires Norvell, it is required to pay his buyout either in equal monthly installments over the remainder of that deal or in one lump sum.
Mike Norvell contract details
Norvell is scheduled to earn $5.65 million in 2025, not including bonuses. That ranks 45th in the nation, according to the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Salary Database.
Norvell’s extension after the 2023 season that tacked on six years to the initial deal he signed in 2019. The reworked deal would pay him between $10 million and $11 million annually through 2031. However, he agreed to a one-year salary reduction of $4.5 million before this season. He could make that money up via performance incentives by the time his contract is set to expire on Dec. 31, 2031. Here’s what he’s owed per year over the remainder of his contract:
- 2026: $10.3 million
- 2027: $10.45 million
- 2028: $10.6 million
- 2029: $10.75 million
- 2030: $10.9 million
- 2031: $11.05 million
Mike Norvell record at FSU
ACC record in parentheses:
- 2020: 3-6 (2-6)
- 2021: 5-7 (4-4)
- 2022: 10-3 (5-3)
- 2023: 13-1 (8-0)
- 2024: 2-10 (1-7)
- 2025: 3-3 (0-3)
- Overall: 36-30 (20-23)
FSU schedule 2025
Here is Florida State’s schedule and results. All times Eastern.
- Aug. 30: vs Alabama | W 31-17
- Sept. 6: vs East Texas A&M | W 77-3
- Sept. 13: Bye
- Sept. 20: vs Kent State | W 66-10
- Sept. 26: at Virginia* | L 46-38 (2OT)
- Oct. 4: vs Miami* | L 28-22
- Oct. 11: vs Pittsburgh* | L 34-31
- Oct. 18: at Stanford* | 10:30 p.m. | ESPN | Fubo
- Oct. 25: Bye
- Nov. 1: vs Wake Forest* | TBA
- Nov. 8: at Clemson* | TBA
- Nov. 15: vs Virginia Tech* | TBA
- Nov. 21: at NC State* | 8 p.m. | ESPN | Fubo
- Nov. 29: at Florida | TBA
- Record: 3-3 (0-3 in ACC)
*- ACC game
Contributing: Jim Henry, Tallahassee Democrat; Steve Berkowitz and Blake Schuster, USA TODAY
