Report: Florida State facing $72 million in buyouts to fire Mike Norvell

The Florida State Seminoles have $72 million reasons to keep Mike Norvell as their head football coach.

In this era of frequent firings and little patience, many have wondered how Norvell has remained FSU’s head coach. After going 23-4 in a two-year span from 2022-2023, Norvell’s Seminoles have fallen off completely. They went 2-10 last season and are 3-4 this season. FSU stunned everyone with a 31-17 win over Alabama in their opener, but they have lost four in a row since then — all ACC games.

So why hasn’t Norvell been fired? It could be that Florida State has more patience than your ordinary school and still believes in him knowing that he led the team to a 13-1 season not long ago. But the more likely answer has to do with the buyouts.

ESPN reported on Tuesday that it would cost Florida State $72 million to pay out Norvell and his coaching staff. Norvell has a $54 million buyout, and the other $18 million would pay off his coaching staff.

FSU’s athletic director has said that they will evaluate Norvell at the end of the season. For now, he seems to be safe through the next five games. The Seminoles face Wake Forest, Clemson, Virginia Tech, NC State and Florida in their remaining games.