Mike Norvell’s Florida State Seminoles are coming off a 24-10 loss against the Clemson Tigers this past week. Following a promising 3-0 start to the 2025 season, they have dropped to 4-5 (1-5 in the ACC). These past few months have already seen many successful coaches getting fired, but Norvell has managed to keep his role so far.
However, with the Seminoles’ season all but lost, the program’s potential with him in the future now remains a big question mark.
CFB Analyst Makes Bold Admission on Potential End of Mike Norvell’s Tenure at Florida State
Saturday’s loss to Clemson marked Florida State’s fifth loss in the past six games. The Seminoles have also fallen to 2-12 in ACC play since 2024. When Norvell took over Florida State in 2020 and guided it to an ACC title in 2023, many believed the Seminoles were set for a dominant future.
However, after back-to-back disappointing seasons, many, like college football analyst Josh Pate, believe his time in Tallahassee may be coming to an end.
“I’m not yelling for Mike to get fired,” Pate said in his college football show. “My opinion doesn’t matter here. The opinion of the people who do matter, big money people, administrative types, the athletic director at Florida State, all seem to be that he is going to get fired.”
FSU Athletic Director Michael Alford stated in October that they would conduct a full review of Norvell and the football program after the regular season. If they decided to part ways with him, they would face a buyout of roughly $59 million, which is about 85% of his remaining deal that runs through 2031.
As frustration among FSU fans continues to rise, Pate also questioned why the front office hasn’t already made a definitive decision.
“So, if he’s going to be fired eventually, why aren’t you doing it immediately?” Pate said. “It’s not to save money. From the sound of things, it’s not for you to come up with the money. It sounded like if they needed the money today, they’d have the money today… If it’s not true and you’re still trying to come up with the money…does that mean that there are some people who are hold outs on Mike Norvell who you think are going to be convinced between now and the end of the year that he needs to be let go, but they’re not convinced yet?”
Following the 2023 season, Norvell signed an eight-year, $80 million extension with Florida State. He holds a 37-32 record in six seasons and continues to lean on past achievements to argue for his future with the program.
“I’ve got elite level confidence for what’s ahead of us,” Norvell said on Monday. “I know not everybody wants to hear that. I don’t care. I know what it’s going to be, and I’m grateful for the opportunity that I have. Also, understand that has not been good enough. And the results, they matter. But we’re going to take that step, and we’re going to get the job done.”
Florida State is ranked No. 85 on PFSN’s College Football Impact Rankings, with Norvell’s squad set to face Virginia Tech on Saturday.
