Mike Norvell's buyout details: Here's how much it will cost FSU to fire head coach

Florida State head coach Mike Norvell is still trying to get the team back to the success it had in 2023, but that season is getting further in the rear-view mirror.

Ever since winning the ACC in 2023, the Seminoles have struggled to even make a bowl game in the last two seasons, putting Norvell's status as head coach in jeopardy. However, since Norvell had so much success during that season, Florida State gave him a lucrative contract to lock him in for almost the next decade.

That extension makes firing Norvell much trickier, as his buyout is as expensive as many of the top coaches in the country. If Norvell doesn't turn the program around, Florida State will have a very difficult decision to make regarding his future.

Here's a look at Norvell's contract and buyout status.

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Mike Norvell contract

Following a 13-win season in 2023, when Florida State went undefeated in the regular season and won the ACC, the Seminoles gave Norvell an eight-year extension worth over $84 million. That deal ties Norvell to Florida State through the 2031 season.

That deal was Norvell's second contract extension in a year's time, as less than 12 months earlier he signed an extension worth over $8 million per season through the 2029 year.

Norvell is currently making $10.3 million for the 2026 season, according to USA Today Sports, and that base salary will increase by $150,000 every year until the final year of his contract. Norvell also has incentives in his deal for milestones like conference championships and the various levels of the College Football Playoffs, along with bonuses for his team's academic success.

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Mike Norvell buyout details

Norvell's buyout with Florida State is $46.7 million if the Seminoles fire him before during or after this season. Only twice in college football history has a coach been fired with a buyout larger than Norvell's projected buyout: Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M and Brian Kelly at LSU.

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Mike Norvell coaching record

Norvell's tenure as a head coach has been a mixed bag, as he was successful at Memphis but been too inconsistent at Florida State. With the Memphis Tigers, Norvell won 38 games across four seasons and made four bowl games, albeit he lost all four.

After winning 12 games with Memphis in 2019, Norvell made the move to take over Florida State's football team. Norvell had an underwhelming first two years, but he turned it around with 10 wins in 2022 then had hsi best season in 2023, which included going 12-0 in the regular season and winning the ACC championship game.

However, since that 2023 season, Norvell has not been able to match the success. From 2024 to 2025, Florida State went a combined 7-17 with no bowl game appearances.