Florida State head coach Mike Norvell has to win in 2026, it's that simple. The Seminoles have only won seven games since their undefeated regular season and College Football Playoff snub in 2023, and that simply can't continue.
With such high standards at FSU, and the program not remotely reaching them for a couple seasons now, eyes are on Norvell more than ever as his future with team hangs in the balance. It's landed him as one of the coaches on the hot seat per Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports.
Buyout: $45-50 million
School administrators thought long and hard about dismissing Norvell last season — a 5-7 campaign that followed the 2-10 debacle of 2024. The fan uprising was loud enough that the administration released a statement in support of Norvell. But let's be real. Much of that support is derived from the cost of such a move (FSU recently spent around $400 million on facilities renovations). The buyout, at the time, was more than $50 million as part of a contract he signed after Alabama flirted with him following a 13-1 season in 2023. The schedule isn't easy. A very big game looms at home on Sept. 7 as the Noles host SMU. Two weeks later, they travel to Alabama and there's a trip to national reigning runner-up Miami in October.
Norvell has a team with some nice talent, like All-ACC wide receiver Duce Robinson, defensive lineman Mandrell Desir, cornerback Ja'Bril Rawls, running back Ousmane Kromah, and others. However, these same players were here a year ago when the team went 5-7, and they also had enough talent in 2024 to avoid a 2-10 season.
Regardless, this all falls back on the shoulders of Norvell. He has to find a way to get Florida State back to being a winning program, or they will be in danger of losing the blue-chip prospects they've landed in the 2027 cycle so far, and more importantly, Norvell will be out of a job.
The university has expressed belief in Norvell despite the struggles of the program over the last few years. With that said, another down season for the Seminoles will undoubtedly change that tune significantly.
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This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: Mike Norvell named a coach on the hot seat for the 2026 season
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