Florida State fires coach Mike Norvell with $50M buyout remaining

Florida State University has fired football coach Mike Norvell after nearly seven seasons, according to Yahoo Sports. Norvell's overall record with the Seminoles was 41-39, and his dismissal comes with $50.3 million left on his contract, which is the third-highest buyout in college football history.

Norvell led Florida State to an ACC championship in 2023 and signed an eight-year, $84 million extension following that season. However, the team has struggled since, posting a 10-22 record since the start of the 2024 season and currently holding a 3-5 record in the 2026 season, including a recent loss to Clemson.

The Seminoles' performance decline, particularly after the graduation of quarterback Jordan Travis, contributed to the decision. Despite the massive buyout, Florida State decided to make a coaching change due to the lack of progress on the field and poor results in conference play.

During the recent Clemson game, a plane flew a banner calling for Norvell's firing, which Clemson coach Dabo Swinney criticized for misspelling Norvell's name. Florida State's president also issued an apology to fans acknowledging the team's struggles.

Norvell previously coached at Memphis from 2016 to 2019, leading the Tigers to three consecutive conference title games before joining Florida State. His tenure at Florida State started with back-to-back losing seasons before the 2023 ACC title season.

Florida State's decision to fire Norvell despite the large buyout highlights the university's priority on improving football performance. The buyout amount is subject to offset and mitigation, as reported by Yahoo Sports.

What we're watching: How Florida State will approach the search for a new head coach and manage the financial implications of Norvell's buyout.