Florida State fires Mike Norvell with up to $50 million buyout due

Florida State fired head coach Mike Norvell on Nov. 1, a day after a 36-24 home loss to Clemson left the Seminoles 3-5 in 2026 and capped a 10-22 stretch since the start of 2024. Rick Stockstill was named interim coach as the university began a national search, with Duke’s Manny Diaz and Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham among the names mentioned as possible candidates. Norvell leaves with a 41-39 record, including a 13-0 regular season and ACC title in 2023, followed by two seasons without a bowl appearance; his buyout is estimated at $47 million to $50 million, with provisions that could reduce it if he takes another job. Before the Clemson game, a plane flew over Doak Campbell Stadium carrying a banner calling for Norvell and Board of Trustees Chair Peter Collins to be fired; Norvell’s name was misspelled as “Novell.” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney condemned the banner as disrespectful to Norvell and the players.