Florida State football made a high-stakes move in 2019—and they may be paying the price for it. That year, the university hired Mike Norvell as head coach, handing him a reported $26.5 million contract with hopes of reviving the once-proud program. Norvell’s debut season ended in a disappointing 3-6 record, though he did notch a win over a Top 20 opponent in his first ACC season.
Under his leadership, the Seminoles showed gradual improvement. In 2022, Norvell guided Florida State to its first bowl win in several years, finishing 10-3 and placing second in the ACC Atlantic Division. Then came 2023: the Seminoles went undefeated, captured the ACC Championship, and finished 13-0—only to be left out of the College Football Playoff. The fallout from that decision was sharp.
Mike Norvell Reflects on 2024 and Plans for a Comeback
After the collapse, Norvell took time to reflect. The strategies that had brought Florida State back to national relevance suddenly faltered. His transfer portal additions had little impact, and the team never found its footing. Norvell admitted that his own energy flagged, and frustration crept into his coaching.
The decline was historic. Florida State became the first Power Four team in the AP poll era to experience an 11-win drop-off in a single season. Yet, unlike many coaches in similar situations, Norvell retained his job. Florida State’s administration opted to back him, believing in the foundation he had laid.
The collapse was simply historic. Florida State became the first Power 4 team in the AP poll era to suffer an 11-win drop-off in a single season. Yet, unlike many other coaches in similar situations, Norvell wasn’t shown the door. Instead, Florida State’s administration stood by him, believing in the foundation he had laid.
“I’m not wasting last year,” Norvell told ESPN.
Instead of dwelling on the setback, Norvell is working to turn things around in 2025. He’s overhauled his coaching staff and re-evaluated his approach to player development.
“I know what it looks like to win the ACC,” Norvell said in a candid interview with ESPN. “I had to ask myself, ‘Am I doing the best job of connecting with our team to uphold our elite standard?’ That meant making some tough decisions.”
Among those decisions: Norvell parted ways with offensive coordinator Alex Atkins, defensive coordinator Adam Fuller, and wide receivers coach Ron Dugans. To fill the offensive coordinator role, he brought in Gus Malzahn—the former Auburn head coach who nearly beat Florida State in the 2013 national championship game.
Malzahn had been coaching at UCF but was reportedly growing restless. When Norvell called, Malzahn was intrigued by the opportunity to return to a higher-profile program.
“I wouldn’t have done this for just anybody,” Malzahn said. “But Mike is a guy who gets things done. I believe in what he’s trying to do here.”
Discussing the leadership overhaul, Norvell added: “You talk about the alphas, the leaders, the guys who are going to take hold and bring that desperation to be successful, that edge. It’s my job to make sure that I’m holding everybody accountable to that standard.”
Norvell appears all-in on the rebuild.
“I’m not wasting last year,” he said. “Guys that went through this last year, for them to be aware of it and to take action is what is critically important. It’s one of the reasons why I am excited about what’s ahead.”
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The Seminoles may have bottomed out, but with Norvell’s revamped staff and a renewed sense of urgency, Florida State has a chance to climb its way back into the national conversation.
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