Why Mike Norvell still has championship expectations for FSU football
Mike Norvell passionately shares his confidence in bringing FSU football a championship in his program during his media availability on Nov. 10, 2025.
- Mike Norvell is 38-32 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.
- Athletic director Michael Alford said in late October that FSU wouldn’t make a coaching decision until after the season.
On Dec. 2, 2023, the Florida State football team, led by coach Mike Norvell, shut down Louisville to win the ACC championship and improve to 13-0. That was the last time FSU won a game away from Tallahassee, a nine-game losing skid the Seminoles hope to end tonight at North Carolina State.
It’s been a stunning fall from grace for Norvell since FSU missed out on the College Football Playoff two years ago. The Seminoles went 2-10 in 2024, the program’s worst season since 1974 (two years before Bobby Bowden took over). This year got off to a hot start with a rousing win over Alabama, and FSU rose as high as No. 8 in the US LBM Coaches Poll in September. But they then lost four games in a row, leaving a large portion of the fanbase ready to move on from Norvell.
It got to the point that school officials met to discuss their next steps in October, only for athletic director Michael Alford to say they would wait until the offseason to make personnel decisions. After a deflating road loss to Clemson on Nov. 8, Norvell reiterated his belief that FSU can return to championship form.
“Fixed it once. We’re going to fix it again,” Norvell said. “We’re in the process of that fix now. What we’ve done is not to the standard of Florida State this year. I understand that. I fully am aware that we’ve got to win the close games.”
Whether he’ll be granted that time is another matter. Rival Florida fired coach Billy Napier a month ago after going 22-23 over four seasons in Gainesville. Penn State fired James Franklin a year after he led them to the CFP semifinals. Both came with hefty buyouts, as would Norvell if FSU (5-5, 2-5 in ACC) decides to part ways after six years.
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 Clemson game:
Mike Norvell buyout
Florida State owes Norvell about $58.8 million if it chooses to fire him Nov. 22 after the NC State 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, 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.
That said, Andrea Adelson of ESPN reported FSU would owe $72 million to buy out the contracts of Norvell and his staff, including offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn and defensive coordinator Tony White, both of whom started this season.
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 salary, 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: 5-5 (2-5)
- Overall: 38-32 (22-25)
FSU schedule 2025
Here is Florida State’s schedule and results. All times Eastern.
*- ACC game
