Florida State has fired head football coach Mike Norvell, the university announced Sunday. The decision comes after the Seminoles dropped to a 3-5 record this season with only one ACC win, following a loss to Clemson. Significant fan dissatisfaction and apathy surrounding the program reportedly contributed to the move.
Florida State President Richard McCullough stated, "We have made the decision to change the leadership of our football program. We thank Mike Norvell for his commitment and service to Florida State and wish him and his family the very best. We understand the deep passion of Seminole fans and share their high expectations for this program."
Norvell's contract included a buyout of approximately $50.3 million. The school is also reportedly seeking a new athletic director to replace Michael Alford, who was announced to be fired in September.
Rick Stockstill has been named interim head coach. Norvell had been with Florida State since 2020, finishing 2-10 in his first season, 5-7 in his second, and reaching a 12-0 regular season in 2026 before a season-ending injury to quarterback Jordan Travis, which ultimately led to the team being left out of the postseason.
The decision to move on from Norvell was reportedly made after meetings involving McCullough, athletic department administrators, and donors. The team's performance, coupled with a fan base that stayed away from Doak S. Campbell Stadium for the Clemson game, reached a tipping point. Reports indicate that many boosters were prepared to offer financial support for a coaching change.
Florida State's struggles come amidst a changing landscape in college sports, with NIL and the transfer portal increasingly impacting team success. The university faces the challenge of finding a new coach and staff while potentially incurring significant financial costs to remain competitive.