Florida State parts ways with Norvell after 36-24 loss to Clemson
The university fired the head coach and defensive coordinator, replacing them with interim leader Rick Stockstill while a national search begins.
By Rebecca Foster ·
Florida State University dismissed head football coach Mike Norvell on Sunday, ending his seven-year tenure with the Seminoles. The decision followed a 36-24 home loss to Clemson on Saturday. The firing came despite a $46 million buyout clause that had previously kept speculation at bay for months.
The defeat at Doak Campbell Stadium served as the immediate trigger for the change. The Seminoles struggled to compete for most of the contest, and the attendance numbers dropped noticeably during the second half. A banner reading "Fire Mike Norvell" was visible above the stadium before kickoff. The optics of that display weighed on the administration as they made their final call.
Defensive coordinator Tony White was also let go. His unit has allowed 31.6 points per game over the last stretch. The university appointed Rick Stockstill, the former quarterback and current director of scouting, as interim head coach. Stockstill previously spent 18 seasons at Middle Tennessee State University, where he posted a 113-11 record and led the team to 10 bowl games.
Norvell joined the program in 2020. He guided the team to a 13-1 season in 2023, which included an ACC Championship title. However, a late-season injury to quarterback Jordan Travis kept the team out of the four-team College Football Playoff. That year, he won the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year award and the ACC Coach of the Year honor.
The trajectory shifted sharply in 2024. Despite recruiting a transfer class ranked seventh in the nation, the Seminoles finished with a 2-10 record. The offense averaged only 15.4 points per game while the defense gave up 28.0. Since that 2024 collapse, the team has compiled a 10-22 record. Florida State also fell behind competitors in the name, image, and likeness market, affecting its ability to attract top talent.
The 2025 season saw the team land the No. 8 transfer class, yet the roster produced only five wins. This past offseason, the recruiting class ranking dropped to No. 28. The team struggled particularly at quarterback, where Ashton Daniels faced difficulties. The Seminoles are now set to miss a bowl game for the third straight year.
President Richard McCullough issued a statement confirming the leadership change. "We have made the decision to change the leadership of our football program," McCullough said. He thanked Norvell for his service and expressed confidence in Stockstill to provide stability during the transition. The university plans to launch a national search for the next permanent head coach.
Norvell leaves Tallahassee with an overall record of 41-39. Before taking the Florida State job, he spent four seasons at Memphis, where he compiled a 38-16 record and won an American Athletic Conference championship. The university is currently without a permanent athletic director, a position left vacant after Michael Alford was fired in September. The administration aims to find a leader who can generate new revenue streams for the department.
The search for a new head coach will focus on candidates who align with the program's championship standards. The administration has not yet released a specific timeline for the hiring process. They will evaluate candidates based on their ability to rebuild the roster and improve the financial footing of the football program.
