Florida State replaces Norvell after losing streak

Florida State University removed Mike Norvell as head football coach on Sunday. The decision followed a home loss to Clemson on Halloween. The Seminoles now hold a 3-5 record in the 2026 season. Clemson has won 10 of its last 11 games against Florida State.

Rick Stockstill will serve as interim head coach for the rest of the year. President Richard McCullough said the university made the decision to change the leadership of the football program. He thanked Norvell for his service and expressed confidence in Stockstill. The school will begin a national search for the next permanent head coach.

The university must pay Norvell 85% of his remaining contract. This totals just over $46 million. Florida State can pay the buyout in full or in monthly installments until the deal expires in 2031. Norvell was the 11th permanent head coach in school history.

Norvell arrived in Tallahassee in December 2019. He replaced Willie Taggart after two seasons. His first two years at Florida State produced an 8-13 record. The team suffered its first ever loss to an FCS program during that span. They fell to Jacksonville State on the final play of a game in 2021.

The program showed improvement in 2022 with a 10-3 season. Quarterback Jordan Travis and defensive end Jared Verse led the team. In 2023, Florida State started 10-0. Travis suffered a career-ending injury against North Alabama. The Seminoles won the ACC title that year but were excluded from the College Football Playoff. They lost 63-3 to Georgia in the Orange Bowl.

Florida State went 2-10 in 2024. The team finished 5-7 in 2025 after beating Alabama. Norvell finishes with a 41-39 overall record. His conference record stands at 23-30. The university also fired Athletic Director Michael Alford in September. The head coaching and athletic director positions are both open.

The Seminoles play next on Saturday, November 7. The kickoff is at noon against Boston College.