Florida State University announced on Sunday the firing of head football coach Mike Norvell in his seventh season, ending months of speculation about his job security. The decision comes despite Norvell's $46 million buyout and an athletic department in transition.
University President Richard McCullough stated, "We have made the decision to change the leadership of our football program. We thank Mike Norvell for his commitment and service to Florida State and wish him and his family the very best. We understand the deep passion of Seminole fans and share their high expectations for this program. We are confident in Rick Stockstill's ability to provide steady leadership during this transition. We will conduct a thorough national search for the program's next leader, someone who embraces Florida State's tradition of championship athletics and our standard of excellence."
The move follows a 36-24 home loss to Clemson on Saturday, where the Seminoles were uncompetitive for much of the game and the crowd at Doak Campbell Stadium dwindled in the second half. A "Fire Mike Norvell" banner flew over the stadium before kickoff. Defensive coordinator Tony White was also dismissed; his unit allowed 31.6 points per game.
Former Florida State quarterback and current director of scouting Rick Stockstill will take over as interim head coach. Stockstill spent 18 seasons at Middle Tennessee State, compiling a 113-111 record with 10 bowl appearances.
Norvell's Tenure: Highs and Lows
Norvell was hired in 2020 and showed progress in his first four seasons, culminating in a 13-1 record in 2023, an ACC Championship, and Bobby Dodd and ACC Coach of the Year honors. However, the Seminoles were left out of the four-team College Football Playoff after quarterback Jordan Travis suffered a season-ending injury.
Since that peak, the program has declined sharply. The 2024 season resulted in a 2-10 record, and over the last two seasons Florida State went 10-22 with no tangible signs of improvement. The team struggled on the NIL market and in transfer portal rankings, dropping from a No. 7 transfer class in 2024 to No. 28 in 2025. Norvell's overall record at Florida State stands at 41-39, with a career mark of 79-55 including a successful 38-16 stint at Memphis.
Uncertain Future
The firing raises questions about the athletic department's leadership, as the school continues its search for a full-time athletic director after Michael Alford's dismissal in September. The candidate pool for the next head coach could include up-and-coming Group of Five coaches or established Power Four winners, with financial considerations playing a key role.
