Florida State’s coaching situation is turning into one of the biggest pressure points in college football, and the money attached to it is impossible to ignore.
Mike Norvell is drawing heat as the Seminoles head into a stretch that could decide everything. CBS Sports’ Richard Johnson reported that former Florida State players are pushing for Jimbo Fisher to take over if the school makes a move. Johnson also said the program could still stand by Norvell if the team catches fire.
“If Norvell ends up out of the job, a familiar face is on the periphery,” Johnson wrote in an Oct. 1, story. “Sources tell CBS Sports that former players of significance are lobbying FSU officials on Fisher's behalf.
“The push, at least from Fisher's side, is very real. Fisher's value proposition is how cheap he'd come relative to other options, perhaps helping an athletic department trying to sort itself out.”
That backdrop matters because Florida State’s schedule is about to get ugly. The Seminoles are expected to be underdogs in their next three games against Virginia, Louisville and Miami. After that, the road still doesn’t get much smoother, with Clemson, Boston College and Pitt waiting down the line.
“Industry sources tell CBS Sports there is a path to Norvell keeping his job, but winning games matters, which is why the next few weeks are crucial,” Johnson added.
The other giant piece of this story is the price tag. Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger has reported that Florida State is looking for reasons to keep Norvell instead of paying to move on, and the financial burden is obvious. Norvell still has more than $84 million left on the contract that runs through 2031, per Fox Sports.
Pete Nakos of On3 reported that Norvell’s buyout is $49 million if Florida State fires him. Even that number doesn’t tell the whole story, because the total cost of a change climbs into the $100 million range once the school accounts for the new coach and staff.
“Norvell’s buyout sits at roughly $49 million,” Nakos detailed on Oct. 2. “Sources have told On3 the all-in cost of a coaching change, new roster and new staff sits around the $100 million mark.
“His contract does include an offset clause, meaning any salary he makes from a new coaching job would reduce what Florida State owes him.”
There’s also the issue of where Florida State stands financially in the current landscape. The Seminoles’ NIL funding appears to be in the middle of the pack among ACC programs, which means a coaching change alone would not be a cure-all for the problems in Tallahassee.
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The stakes extend well past the field, with university leadership weighing not just results but the financial and organizational ripple effects around the program. Norvells buyout, possible staff changes and a restless fan base are all part of the backdrop now, which means this stretch in a soft ACC could end up shaping more than a final record. [Read more 🡒]
Florida State's Miami Upset Hopes May Ride On One Breakthrough
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Florida State Cut Ties With A Freshman Defender Under Troubling Circumstances
Florida State moved quickly this week to part ways with freshman cornerback Chuck Kennon after his arrest on charges that included false imprisonment and aggravated fleeing to elude. Head coach Mike Norvell confirmed the dismissal, and the university said the decision was based on conduct detrimental to the team. Kennons exit comes just as a young defensive back was trying to settle into the program, only for the situation to veer sharply off course.
Kennon appeared in court, where bonds were set and restrictions were imposed, after the incident that led to his arrest. He was involved in a police pursuit and fled on foot before later turning himself in, leaving Florida State to move on without one of its freshmen defenders under circumstances that carry both immediate football implications and a much larger off-field concern. [Read more 🡒]