Florida State fires head football coach Mike Norvell during seventh season

Florida State University dismissed head football coach Mike Norvell on Sunday, November 1, 2026. The decision comes during his seventh season with the program following a loss to Clemson. CBS Sports, Yahoo Sports, and ESPN all reported the firing, with Yahoo Sports and ESPN noting that the Seminoles held a 3-5 record at the time of the dismissal. [1][2][3][4][7][8][9][10][11][12][14]

The athletic department is also making changes to the rest of the coaching staff. According to Yahoo College Football, defensive coordinator Tony White was among the assistant coaches fired alongside Norvell. The athletic department is concurrently searching for a permanent director, following the firing of former athletic director Mike Alford in September, CBS Sports reported. [1][2]

Financial terms surrounding the termination are substantial. The New York Times and Yahoo College Football report that Florida State owes Norvell a $50 million buyout. CBS Sports added that the university's athletic department is already managing heavy existing debt alongside the financial obligations of the coaching change. [1][3][9]

Norvell took over as Florida State head coach in 2020 after serving as head coach at Memphis from 2016 to 2019. During his tenure in Tallahassee, he led the Seminoles to 19 straight victories and an undefeated regular season three years prior, according to CBS Sports. Florida State has now begun its search for a replacement head coach. [1][2][5][14][16]