The Florida State Seminoles will have Mike Norvell back as head football coach next season.
On Sunday, the school announced that Norvell will be returning in a move that has surprised some college football observers and, perhaps, even Seminoles fans themselves. Reactions to the news were hot and heavy online, too.
It appears that Florida State didn’t want to pay Norvell a $58 million buyout of his contract.
Mike Norvell Coming Back to Florida State
News broke on Sunday morning about the school’s decision. The school released a statement, shared by NBC Sports lead college football reporter Nicole Auerbach, about their decision.
Florida State announces Mike Norvell will remain as the head football coach: pic.twitter.com/2UlLdljD0I
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) November 23, 2025
“Florida State University announced today that Mike Norvell is being retained as head football coach,” the statement reads. “With support from FSU leadership, Norvell has pledged to institute fundamental changes in specific areas to improve performance to meet FSU’s championship standard.
“‘FSU Board of Trustees Chairman Peter Collins, Vice President and Director of Athletics Michael Alford, and I are in complete agreement that changes are needed for our football program to improve,’ said Dr. Richard McCullough, FSU President,'” according to the statement.
“‘Coach Norvell embraces our support in that process and agrees that success must be achieved,'” McCullough said in the statement.
“‘He continues to demonstrate an unwavering belief in this program’s future, and so do we. This decision reflects a unified commitment to competing in the rapidly evolving landscape of college football, while maintaining continuity in the program.'”
What Were Seminoles Fans Saying?
Norvell’s Seminoles are 5-6 overall this season, 2-6 in Atlantic Coast Conference play. He’s been the head coach at Florida State since 2020. In six-plus seasons as Seminoles head coach, Norvell has a 38-33 record. But in the last two seasons, including this one, Norvell is 7-16 overall and 3-13 in ACC play.
What were some people saying about the Norvell news? One fan points out that the financial element of this decision played a role. The fan wrote on X, “They are broke and can’t afford to fire him with the other coach openings right now”.
Another fan also pointed to the money issue with Norvell and wrote, “Seems like FSU doesn’t have the money to buy out his contract and pay a big-time coach to replace him.” This fan wrote on X, “It’s because FSU is broke and can’t afford to fire him and hire someone else/have money for roster”.
Its because fsu is broke and can’t afford to fire him and hire someone else/have money for roster
— Ron J (@RonJ926) November 23, 2025
As for this fan, all signs from this person, again, point toward the money issue: “Translation, FSU doesn’t have the $ for his buyout. Norvell is a lame duck HC going into next year.”
But this fan has been watching Florida State play closely and has some other concerns when it comes to Norvell as head coach: “How can you watch that performance Friday night and the last two seasons and think that this guy can turn the program around? The school is stepping over dollars to pick up pennies. Financial implications of keeping him are worse than the buyout.”
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Last Friday, North Carolina State beat Florida State 21-11. The Seminoles had hoped transfer quarterback Tommy Castellanos would help them out this season. Unfortunately, that has not been the case. According to the PFSN CFB Offense Impact metrics, Florida State has an 87.6 CFB Offense Impact Score and grades out to a B+.
Florida State fans will likely be stewing over the school’s decision regarding Norvell for some time to come.
