Why Florida State fired coach Mike Norvell despite massive buyout

Why Florida State fired coach Mike Norvell despite massive buyout originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.After nearly seven seasons, Florida State is making a head coaching change.The Seminoles fired coach Mike Norvell on Sunday, a day after a loss to Clemson but only three years removed from an undefeated regular season that ended with a controversial exclusion from the College Football Playoff.Norvell, who went 41-39 in Tallahassee, had a buyout of more than $50 million before Florida State made the decision.Here's what you need to know about Norvell's exit in Tallahassee.MORE:Ranking the best replacements for Mike Norvell at FSUWhy Florida State fired Mike NorvellFlorida State held onto Norvell at the end of last season despite mounting pressure from fans, saying in a statement that Norvell "embraces our support in that process and agrees that success must be achieved."In short, that success hasn't been achieved in 2026. If Florida State was looking for meaningful progress, it hasn't been evident. The Seminoles are 3-5 on the year and just 1-4 in ACC play, sitting in a tie for last in the oversized conference. Even with new challenges in the NIL era, a majority of teams ahead of Florida State in the ACC standings are working with fewer resources than Norvell.The massive buyout might have played a role in Norvell keeping his job after 2025, but Florida State was just 10-22 since the start of the 2025 season and would have had a hard time explaining the justification behind staying with the coach without any progress on the field.Here's a closer look at Norvell's record at Florida State.MORE:First look at loaded Week 10 slate across college footballMike Norvell record at Florida StateSeasonWLPct.202036.333202157.4172022103.7692023131.9292024210.167202557.417202635.429Total4139.513Norvell went 41-39 at Florida State, but more than half of his wins were confined to a two-year stretch. The former Memphis coach started his tenure with back-to-back losing seasons, and his most recent winning season came in 2023.Since Jordan Travis graduated, Florida State is just 10-22, putting the final nail in the coffin for Norvell's tenure in Tallahassee.MORE COLLEGE FOOTBALL: How Indiana WR Charlie Becker saved Hoosiers' season vs. MinnesotaUSC tight end Mark Bowman's highlight-reel hurdle against Ohio StateEast Carolina player helped off field after being injured by falling refereeUNC's growing history of blown 4th quarter leads continues vs. Miami