Florida State’s recent 20-13 loss to Stanford might be the final straw for head coach Mike Norvell. This season has seen tons of head coaches losing their seats just because they couldn’t hold the momentum; some even had no momentum at all. But the Seminoles entered the season, snagging a brutal 31-17 win against Alabama. But since then, the team has spiraled. They lost four straight games, with their record dropping to 3-4. This loss extended their troubling ACC losing streak to ten games.

So obviously, with a performance like that, one might genuinely feel that the program needs a change. And as a matter of fact, their in-state rivals, the Florida Gators, already announced their part of the change by firing Billy Napier. That’s why even the Tallahassee reporters are raising straightforward questions about the program being laid back. “If Florida State doesn’t fire Mike Norvell,” Seminoles reporter Brian Smith posted on X, “After that performance with 13 penalties, no interest in actually playing the game at Stanford, with just utter incompetence overall. When will they?”

As a matter of fact, even On3’s Pete Nakos listed Norvell as one of the coaches who is most likely to lose his seat. “Sources have told On3 that FSU decision makers are holding informal phone calls on Sunday morning to discuss the future under Mike Norvell,” Nakos said. The loss against Stanford made things worse. Starting QB Tommy Castellanos tried to rally the offense. He went 14-for-28 passing for 242 yards and even scored a rushing touchdown. But his efforts just weren’t enough. The offensive mojo was there in spurts.

Throws to Duce Robinson produced big gains, including a 37-yarder, while Gavin Sawchuk added 52 yards on 13 carries. But penalties and stalled drives killed Florida State’s momentum. Florida State was flagged 13 times for 79 yards. FSU’s offense got flagged seven times. Sure, the unit racked up 444 total yards. But then pre-snap mistakes slowed them down. After that, six of the team’s 10 penalties came from the defense, including two offsides and a roughing-the-passer that handed the offense free first downs. Keeping all that aside, FSU’s secondary didn’t have its moments.

Like Earl Little Jr.’s interception, but Stanford’s Ben Gulbranson orchestrated a disciplined attack that exploited the Seminoles’ struggles. All in all, the game was a major letdown, and Mike Norvell is facing all the heat. Norvell’s overall ACC record stands at 20-24, and the pressure has been mounting ever since his worst campaign in school history. That is a brutal 2-10 season in 2024. It’s the worst Florida State has seen in almost 50 years. Let’s put this into perspective. Legendary coaches Bobby Bowden and Jimbo Fisher never faced nearly this kind of turmoil.

Bowden had just one losing season in 34 years, and Fisher left the program somewhat gracefully in 2017 when the team was 5-6. On the other hand, Norvell has had losing seasons in three of his five years at the helm. But there is one nagging question that remains. Can FSU afford the Mike Norvell buyout?

What is the goodbye money? 

Mike Norvell isn’t leaving Tallahassee without a massive check written in his name. And that is what’s being cooked. Norvell’s FSU buyout stands at a staggering $54.4 million. It becomes one of the largest in college football history, even surpassing James Franklin. That’s a big chunk of change that Florida State’s athletic department and donors will have to consider carefully if they pull the trigger on a firing.

That crushing loss to Stanford made the itch of firing much more over the Seminoles’ AD department. But if FSU does make a change, the coaching market offers some exciting names with compelling fits. First of all, it’s Coach Prime. FSU is Sanders’ alma mater. So basically, Florida State made Sanders what he is now. But the big question remains around his health and whether he’s ready for a return to coaching at this intensity.

Lane Kiffin is another name buzzing around Tallahassee. His offensive mind is a perfect match for what Florida State fans crave. Plus, Kiffin’s deep recruiting roots in Florida could help flip the talent pipelines back in FSU’s favor. Then there’s Mike Elko. Sure, he is not the flashiest hire. But Elko’s strong defensive pedigree and steady leadership could provide the Seminoles a clearer path to the College Football Playoff in the ACC.

We also have FSU’s very own offensive guru, Gus Malzahn. Plus, at this point, Malzahn is the safest net FSU can land on if they let go of Norvell. Lastly, Alex Golesh, currently at USF, could be a savvy homegrown pick. He’s proven he can beat Power 4 teams and already knows the Florida recruiting grounds like the back of his hand.