Mike Norvell will remain Florida State football coach for the foreseeable future despite the program’s spiraling struggles the past two seasons that have led fans to lose confidence in the sixth-year coach.
Michael Alford, FSU’s vice president and athletics director, told the Tallahassee Democrat ‘nobody is happy’ with the football program’s current plight.
He said he continues to evaluate Norvell and Seminoles’ coaches across all sports daily but is sticking with the process of making personnel decisions at the conclusion of seasons.
‘We rightfully have high expectations in everything we do to represent Florida State in the manner that built our reputation as one of college football’s best programs, cultivating an extraordinary group of supporters nationally and globally,’ Alford said in a statement released Monday morning. ‘We embrace those expectations while also sharing the deep disappointment when results on the field are short of that standard.
‘As we continue to move forward this season, our comprehensive assessment of the football program will be completed at season’s end. Meanwhile, we are fully committed to helping Coach Norvell and the 2025 Seminoles strongly rebound in the coming weeks.’
However, plans remain fluid as the situation evolves. With mounting calls from fans for him to be fired, Norvell could still be let go before December depending how his team performs during its final five regular-season games.
The Seminoles face a contract buyout of around $59.2 million if they decided to make an immediate change.
Mike Norvell’s future under scrutiny while Florida fires Billy Napier
Even with one of college football’s largest contract buyouts, many fans want Norvell gone.
Questions are also swirling among FSU administrators and Seminole Boosters about Norvell’s tenure at the school.
Alford, however, wants to be deliberate with his decision-making.
Multiple schools nationally are looking for new coaches, including Florida, which fired Billy Napier on Sunday, Oct. 19, during his fourth season and after a 3-4 start in 2025.
In the ACC, Virginia Tech fired Brent Pry on Sept. 14. after starting the season 0-3.
Norvell entered the season on the hot seat after going 2-10 in 2024. FSU has not won a game since it thumped Kent State 66-10 on Sept. 20.
The Tallahassee Democrat, part of the USA TODAY Network, will have more coverage.
Jim Henry is Tallahassee Democrat sports editor. Email him at jjhenry@tallahassee.com