FSU will keep Mike Norvell for 2026 season

For over a month, Florida State has been in limbo.

Four straight losses to start ACC play, culminating in a late-night Saturday night loss to a hapless Stanford Cardinal squad, led to athletic director Michael Alford issuing a statement saying FSU has “high expectations…We embrace those expectations while also sharing the deep disappointment when results on the field are short of that standard. As we continue to move forward this season, our comprehensive assessment of the football program will be completed at season’s end.”

That comprehensive assessment won’t reportedly include an evaluation of the head coaching position, as the decision has been made to keep head coach Mike Norvell for the 2026 season.

A statement was issued on Sunday regarding the move with Norvell, Alford, FSU president Dr. Richard McCullough and Board of Trustees chairman Peter Collins all issuing statements in a press release from the university.

“FSU Board of Trustees Chairman Peter Collins, Vice President and Director of Athletics Michael Alford, and I are in complete agreement that changes are needed for our program to improve,” said Dr. Richard McCullough, FSU President. “Coach Norvell embraces our support in that process and agrees that success must be achieved. He continues to demonstrate an unwavering belief in this program’s future, and so do we. This decision reflects a unified commitment to competing in the rapidly evolving landscape of college football, while maintaining continuity within the program.”

“This program has been built on belief, sacrifice, and putting the team first,” Norvell said. “That set of values has always guided my actions, and those of our players. The driving motivation behind this is to make certain that we are doing everything properly to obtain and retain elite players, add critical pieces, and sustain long-term success. I love Florida State, and I am fully committed to this program, and our shared goals.”

“In addition to addressing the reality that on-field results have been far from acceptable to the FSU standard, we also realize our responsibilities as stewards of program revenues and how to best allocate those dollars to compete at an elite level – something we will not compromise,” said Collins. “Throughout the assessment, one goal will remain beyond all others – achieving sustained championship-level success. We will address performance deficiencies in the program. These deficiencies may include structural changes to the very large and complex program FSU football has become, and these areas are where we will focus and invest.”

“Our responsibility is to do what gives Florida State the strongest competitive position – not just today, but for years to come,” said Alford. “Florida State has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in its football program over the past few years with high expectations. Chairman Collins, President McCullough and I are aligned in partnering with Coach and improving our ability to compete for championships. Our mission is unwavering in putting Florida State football at the forefront of college athletics.”

FSU is 5-6 (2-6 ACC) this season, 7-16 (3-13 ACC) over the last two years and 38-33 (22-26) all-time under Norvell.

He was asked if Florida State was meeting those high expectations after the Seminoles’ latest loss this past Friday, saying that the Seminoles “aren’t even close.”

“We’re not even close to living up to expectations…we’re a fully capable football team and that’s not good enough, it’s not been good enough for the six losses we have. It’s extremely frustrating — It’s extremely frustrating, however many yards, differentials, improvements, all the crap, you’ve got to make plays to win the game.”