Why Mike Norvell didn't go to Alabama in a major college football 'what if' moment

The college football coaching carousel is always in motion. During each and every season, there are hirings and firings that shape the course of a program's trajectory.

There are also several 'what ifs' in college coaching rumors that have fans question what things would be like if they happened. What if Nick Saban never returned to college to coach Alabama, or what if Curt Cignetti hadn't gone from Division II to Indiana?

One of the most recent interesting what ifs was Florida State head coach Mike Norvell going to Alabama. Although the Noles head coach has the hottest seat in college football, there was a time when he was expected to replace Saban when he retired in 2024.

MORE: College football picks, predictions against the spread for Week 3 matchups

Was Mike Norvell considered for the Alabama job?

Not only was Norvell in the mix for the job, he was apparently one of Alabama's top targets. In January 2024, Saban sent shockwaves across college football when he announced he was retiring after 17 seasons as the Tide's head coach. 

The announcement came just nine days after the Tide's 27-20 loss to Michigan in overtime of the College Football Playoff semifinal from the Rose Bowl. According to ESPN's Chris Low, Norvell, along with Washington's Kaleb DeBoer, was one of Tide athletic director Greg Byrne's top targets. 

At this time, Norvell was considered the head coach that finally figured out how to bring Florida State back from the dead. After two losing seasons in Tallahassee in 2020 and 2021, he led the Noles to a 10-3 season in 2022.

During the 2023 season, he had FSU as a top CFP contender, leading the Noles to an ACC Championship. But a season-ending injury to star quarterback Jordan Travis resulted in the committee giving a bid to Alabama instead. 

FSU finished that season 13-1, capped off by a brutal 63-3 Orange Bowl loss to Georgia. Per Low's reporting, the talks between Byrne and Norvell were so advanced that Florida State officials were prepared to replace him with none other than Lane Kiffin. Norvell himself acknowledged that he spent the last 24 hours weighing his options. 

 "You respect the place. You respect the position," Norvell said via ESPN of Alabama. "At the end of the day, it still comes down to the right fit. It still comes down to the place you want to be."  

Instead, FSU officials were able to give Norvell a new contract extension that would increase his salary to $10 million, in a deal that goes through 2031. Norvell confirmed he was remaining at FSU on Jan. 12: 

GREAT DAY to be a FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLE!! The #CLIMBContinues grateful for to lead the #NoleFamily with our incredible staff. Appreciate @PresMcCullough @SeminoleAlford and @Seminoles for continued commitment on our journey back to the TOP! The Future is bright in Tallahassee 😎 pic.twitter.com/maUJ1uuyio

The same day that Norvell made the announcement, Alabama was closing in on DeBoer. He was officially named the Tide's head coach later that day. 

Since Norvell's contract extension he signed with FSU, things have gone downhill in Tallahassee. His 2024 team posted the worst record in FSU school history at 2-10. Last season, the Noles finished 5-7 and are currently sitting at 1-1. 

MORE: Why Florida State should pursue Jimbo Fisher to replace Mike Norvell

Will Mike Norvell get fired? 

It appears as though the walls are closing in on Norvell. Earlier this week, Florida State fired athletic director Michael Alford. Although Alford did not hire Norvell, he has overseen most of his tenure at FSU. 

"We love coach Norvell. We love what he does for student athletes," FSU president Richard McCullough told ESPN's Andrea Adelson. "We're rooting for him for lots and lots of reasons. Nobody wants to win more than Mike Norvell - except maybe me. He's in the business of winning and so he knows where he is. But that's not a decision we're talking about today."

In addition to FSU football's poor on-field performance, Alford has also faced criticism for his handling of the Noles' athletic budget.

Statements aside, firing the athletic director would likely put Norvell in the school's crosshairs next. His team is set to take on No. 10 Alabama on the road this week, and Norvell's team is listed as a 19.5-point underdog.  

MORE: CFP Bracket: USC, Alabama in; Oregon, Oklahoma out

What is Mike Norvell's buyout? 

Given his big contract extension he signed in 2024, firing him won't be cheap. FSU will owe him $46.7 million if it fires him during or after the season. 

MORE: Hostile homecomings: Ranking the most hate-filled coaching returns ever