Mike Norvell buyout: Details of Florida State head coach's contract

If Florida State decided to part ways with head coach Mike Norvell at the end of the 2025 season, the Seminoles would owe their head coach roughly $58.4 million. Norvell’s buyout would be the second-highest in college football history, behind only Jimbo Fisher’s $76.8 million from Texas A&M. Florida State lost at NC State on Friday night.

Norvell signed an eight-year extension through the 2031 season worth more than $84 million before incentives, before the 2024 season. According to Norvell’s contract, he is owed 85 percent of his remaining salary as a buyout.

He agreed to a one-year restructured contract in December 2024 that included a $4.5 million contribution to a new university initiative aimed at revenue sharing. He would receive $800,000 a month through 2031 if fired after this season.

Here is a full buyout breakdown:

+ Buyout drops to $45.6 million after the 2026 season
+ Buyout drops to $36.8 million after the 2027 season
+ Buyout drops to $27.7 million after the 2028 season
+ Buyout drops to $18.5 million after the 2029 season
+ Buyout drops to $9.3 million after the 2030 season

Norvell is making $9.9 million this season, but if fired, there is a duty to mitigate clause which would require him to try to find another job, according to his contract obtained by On3. His contract includes a $150,000 raise each season.

Sources have told On3 that the cost of firing Norvell and his staff, along with making the next hire, would be in the $100 million range.

In 2023, Mike Norvell led Florida State to its first 10-win season since 2016. Florida State finished 13-0 and captured its first ACC title since 2014. He was hired in December 2019 after four seasons at Memphis. Norvell initially inked a six-year, $26.5 million contract.

But Norvell went 2-10 last season. It appeared the Seminoles took a turn in the right direction to open the 2025 season, knocking off Alabama and starting the year 3-0. But Florida State is 5-6 with a 2-6 mark in the ACC. Following a loss at Stanford last month, Florida State athletic director Michael Alford said in a statement that a comprehensive review of the football program will happen when the season ends.

Norvell is 38-33 overall at Florida State with a 22-26 mark in ACC play.