TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida State has officially fired head football coach Mike Norvell, ending his seven-season tenure with the Seminoles following a disappointing 2026 campaign.
According to 247Sports reporter Matt Zenitz, the Florida State coaching staff was informed of the decision Sunday. The university subsequently confirmed the move, with president Richard McCullough informing Norvell that the program was making an immediate leadership change.
Florida State also announced that former Seminoles quarterback and longtime college football coach Rick Stockstill will serve as interim head coach while the university begins a national search for Norvell’s replacement.
The decision comes less than 24 hours after Florida State suffered a 36-24 home loss to Clemson on Saturday, October 31. The defeat dropped the Seminoles to 3-5 overall, leaving the program facing another uphill battle to become bowl eligible.
Mike Norvell’s Florida State coaching record
Norvell was hired in December 2019 after four seasons at Memphis. He took over a Florida State program looking to return to national prominence but experienced significant highs and lows during his tenure.
Season Record
- 2020: 3-6
- 2021: 5-7
- 2022: 10-3
- 2023: 13-1
- 2024: 2-10
- 2025: 5-7
- 2026: 3-5
Overall 41-39
Norvell’s most successful season came in 2023, when he led Florida State to an undefeated 13-0 regular season, an ACC Championship and a 19-game winning streak.
Despite finishing the regular season undefeated, the Seminoles were controversially left out of the College Football Playoff. They eventually lost to Georgia in the Orange Bowl, finishing 13-1.
However, Florida State struggled to maintain that success.
The Seminoles went 2-10 in 2024, followed by a 5-7 campaign in 2025. Their 3-5 start in 2026 extended the program’s struggles, leaving Norvell with a 41-39 overall record and a 23-30 mark in ACC play.
The $50 million coaching decision
One of the biggest factors surrounding Norvell’s departure was the financial commitment required to move on from him.
Reports indicate Florida State faces a buyout obligation of approximately $50.3 million, subject to contractual mitigation and offset provisions if Norvell secures future employment.
The figure makes Norvell’s departure one of the most expensive coaching decisions in college football history.
Despite the financial implications, Florida State’s leadership ultimately decided that a change was necessary to move the program forward.
Rick Stockstill takes over as interim head coach
Florida State has turned to Rick Stockstill to lead the program for the remainder of the 2026 season.
Stockstill is a former Florida State quarterback who played for the Seminoles from 1977 through 1981. He later spent 18 seasons as head coach at Middle Tennessee State, compiling a 113-111 record and leading the Blue Raiders to 10 bowl appearances.
He joined Florida State’s coaching staff in January 2024 and brings extensive college coaching experience to the interim position.
Stockstill will now be responsible for stabilizing the program as Florida State begins its search for its next permanent head coach.
What’s next for Florida State?
The Seminoles have four regular-season games remaining, beginning with a road matchup against Boston College on Saturday, November 7.
Florida State’s administration will also begin a national search for its next head football coach.
The next hire will inherit a program with championship expectations, a passionate fan base and significant pressure to return to competing for ACC titles and national championships.
After the heights of 2023 and the struggles that followed, Florida State is officially entering another chapter in its football history.
