WATCH: Mike Norvell’s post-workout on Wednesday
Here is FSU football coach Mike Norvell after practice on Wednesday.
How one season can change the fate of the Florida State football team and coach Mike Norvell.
The Seminoles opened the 2023 college football season with a 13-0 record before being passed over for the College Football Playoff. Since then, the Seminoles have lost their last four football games, including an 0-3 start following a 20-13 loss to Norvell’s former team, Memphis, on Saturday. Worse, FSU paid Memphis $1.3 million for the loss.
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The Seminoles are 0-3 for the second time in five seasons under Norvell after going 23-4 the last two seasons before this current two-game losing streak. FSU began the season ranked No. 10 in the US LBM Coaches Poll and expected to contend for the playoffs and a second consecutive ACC title.
However, the two straight losses may have warmed up Norvell’s seat, as he was under fire after an 0-4 start to the 2022 season, including a loss to then-FCS Jacksonville State. Norvell signed a new contract extension in January after flirting with the open coaching position at Alabama after Nick Saban retired.
Here’s everything you need to know about Norvell’s contract, including details on his severance package should Florida State part ways with him this year:
Mike Norvell contract with Florida State
- Length: 10 years
- Total value: more than $84 million before incentives
- Annual Average Value (AAV): 10,000,000 USD in 2024
Florida State signed Norvell to an eight-year contract extension worth more than $84 million before incentives after eyeing the vacant coaching position at Alabama following Saban’s retirement, according to figures obtained by USA TODAY Sports.
Norvell’s average annual value (AAV) is $10 million for the 2024 college football season, which would have ranked him sixth among public university and college coaches in USA TODAY’s database of highest-paid college football coaches. Norvell earned $5.55 million in his fourth year of his contract in 2023, ranking 15th among coaches.
Note: Nick Saban and Jimbo Fisher are no longer active coaches on this list.
The Seminoles are 0-3 for the second time under Norvell after completing an undefeated regular season in 2023. FSU has lost to Georgia Tech, Boston College and Memphis in its season opener, with only the Tigers ranked in the coaches poll at the time of the loss.
A Norvell buyout, however, would prove costly for the university. Norvell would receive $65 million for not coaching the Seminoles, or 85% of his base salary and benefits for the remainder of the contract, which expires on Dec. 31, 2031.
Mike Norvell’s record in the state of Florida
Here’s a look at how the Seminoles have performed year after year under Norvell:
ACC data set in brackets
- 2020: 3-6 (3-6)
- 2021: 5:7 (4:4)
- 2022: 10:3 (5:3)
- 2023: 13-1 (8-0) ACC won
- 2024: 0:3 (0:2)
