The Florida State Seminoles made the decision over the weekend that many felt was inevitable for a long time – firing head coach Mike Norvell after another lackluster start for the program and a record of 3-5.

A once proud FSU program under Norvell has fallen to the depths of complete irrelevance, and the administration in Tallahassee had seen enough. Unfortunately for them, it was not long ago they handed Norvell a huge contract extension when it was rumored he was up for the job at Alabama after Nick Saban retired.

The Crimson Tide wound up with Kalen DeBoer, and three years later, Norvell is set to collect a buyout of $50.3 million, the third largest in the history of college football.

Mike Norvell's firing at Florida State becomes the 3rd LARGEST buyout ever for a fired college football coach

Jimbo Fisher's $77.6M buyout at Texas A&M remains the largest ever. pic.twitter.com/u2pgoMw5tR

— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) November 2, 2026

Only Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M ($77.6 million) and Brian Kelly at LSU ($53.2 million) received larger sums of money to no longer come to work. Now, Norvell becomes another cautionary tale to the rest of college football on handing a coach a lucrative extension without being absolutely certain they are the guy.

Florida State will attract some big time names and potentially even some with SEC ties to be considered for the job, but it’s safe to say Norvell is going to be doing just fine with his massive check.