Mike Norvell hot seat: Here's what FSU football owes if it fires coach

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While maybe it was delayed a week, it seems yet against Florida State is closer to the inevitable decision to part ways with coach Mike Norvell and put an end to one of the most disastrous contract extensions in recent memory.

The Seminoles' 44-20 loss Oct. 9 at Louisville makes them 4-15 in conference play and 10-20 overall since winning the 2023 ACC championship game. The Seminoles seemed in control, up 14-0 and in the red zone in the second quarter. But the Cardinals came up with a fourth-down stop, scampered for a 97-yard touchdown on the next play and sparked a run of 35 straight points.

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The seat under Norvell has been piping hot since last season, and it didn't help matters that 2026 began with a lackluster performance against middling New Mexico State, four takeaways that still resulted in a home loss to SMU and an early lead that the maligned defense coughed up at Alabama to the tune of a 50 burger. Fans have been ready to see him fired for some time, showing up for an easy win over Central Arkansasseemingly just to boo him.

But the 44-year-old Norvell isn't going to go easily. Not for lack of desire by the FSU administrators; they fired athletic director Michael Alford on Sept. 14 in large part because he's the one responsible for signing Norvell to a gigantic extension after the 2023 season. That deal is the lynchpin to Norvell remaining in Tallahassee as long as he has. Releasing him would result in a buyout so large, it would rival the biggest in college football history. And that's money FSU isn't in good position to spend, not after data showed the school carried $437 million in athletic-related debt in 2025.

Any more results like this, however, and president Richard McCullough and influential Board of Trustees chairman Peter Collins might not have a choice if they are to salvage the football program's reputation. 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 Virginia game:

Mike Norvell buyout

If Florida State were to fire Norvell after the Oct. 3 game against Virginia, it would owe him $47.7 million, according to contract information obtained by USA TODAY Sports. It would be the third-highest buyout in college football history, behind only the $76.8 million Jimbo Fisher got from Texas A&M in 2023 and the $54 million Brian Kelly got from LSU just last year.

Norvell's 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. If he is fired on Dec. 1, Norvell would be owed about $46.5 million.

But FSU likely won't 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's the same stipulation that got James Franklin's buyout from Penn State lowered from $49 million to $9 million when he got the Virginia Tech job.

That said, assessments reported elsewhere, including by Pete Nakos of On3, indicate FSU will need to spend about $100 million if it wants to clean house by firing Norvell and his staff, including defensive coordinator Tony White and new offensive coordinator Tim Harris Jr.

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 $10.3 million in 2026, not including bonuses. He made $5.65 million in 2025 because of an agreed-upon one-year salary reduction before that season. 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 Florida State

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: 5-7 (2-6)
  • 2026: 2-2 (0-2)
  • Overall: 40-36 (22-28)

FSU football schedule 2026

Here is Florida State's schedule and results for this season, including known TV info. All times Eastern.

*- ACC game

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Mike Norvell hot seat: Here's what FSU football owes if it fires coach

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