The True Cost of Firing Mike Norvell

Florida State is at a fork in the road with head coach Mike Norvell following a disastrous late-season collapse. The team, which started the 2025 season 3-0, including a thriller win over Alabama, has suffered four straight losses to drop to 3-4 overall and 0-4 within the ACC, including a lackluster loss to Stanford. With unrest within the fan base, the question of whether FSU can look to the future with Norvell has been impossible to avoid.

The Chances of Firing Norvell

The underperforming team, heading for a fourth losing season under Norvell in his sixth season, is certainly fueling the discussion, with "momentum" growing for changes. But the contract situation is putting FSU "between a rock and a hard place."

Many analysts suggest that giving Norvell a year to try to rebuild the program is the likeliest potential future for the Seminoles, primarily due to the hefty financial consequences and the built-in risk that the situation may further diminish under the leadership of a new head coach. The problem is twofold: the hefty contract buyout and the risk that the situation might further degenerate under a new head coach.

Comparative Cost: Maintaining or Terminating

The financial difference between keeping Norvell for the full extent of the contract and him going away now is staggering, but both options are very costly.

Keeping Norvell

Between $10.3 million and $11.05 million per year from 2026 through 2031, and his 2025 current year salary.

FSU pays millions every year, but sidesteps a considerable lump sum payment and the ensuing expense to recruit a new person.

Firing Norvell

A contract buyout for approximately $59.2 million through October 2025.

This is the payment due to Norvell only. The overall total cost (staff buyouts and new coach recruitment) is projected to be $100 million to $150 million.

Breaking Down the Buyout

If Florida State were to end the contract of Norvell without cause, it must do so with an expensive contract buyout. The price for the buyout is high enough to rank sixth in the college football universe and would rank second-largest payment ever, behind Texas A&M's departure by Jimbo Fisher.

This amount is calculated based on a provision in the contract: Norvell is to be given 85% of the base wage, with the addition of supplemental compensation for the contract duration.

He later agreed to an extension in the 2023 season, for the addition of six years to the initial contract, thus extending the agreement to December 31, 2031, and garnering him a yearly compensation between $10 million and $11 million.

Specific Buyout Details (As of October 1, 2025):

1. It is approximately $59.2 million for the buyout.
2. This amount includes 85% of the compensation remaining on the contract.
3. The division comprises $1,987,000 remaining for the 2025 current year and $53,346,000 remaining due for the ensuing contract years (2026–2031).
4. Additionally, the calculation entails an uncommon contract adjustment: Norvell settled for a $4.5 million cut in salary for the 2025 season to finance a university program. In the event FSU terminates the contract this year, it would owe him 85 percent of the pro-rated reduction amount.
5. FSU is required to pay the buyout either in one lump sum or in equal monthly installments over the remainder of the contract.

It is important to note that Norvell is obliged to offset this expense by pursuing a market-rate salary upon termination. If he finds other employment, what FSU owes him will be reduced by his new salary.