Amid speculation about Florida State coach Mike Norvell and his job security at the school following a fourth straight loss, athletic director Michael Alford said in a statement Monday that a comprehensive review of the football program will happen when the season ends.
The Seminoles opened the year with a 31-17 win over Alabama and started 3-0 before a Friday night double-overtime loss to Virginia began their four-game slide. Florida State has lost all four games by one score. Going back to last season, Florida State has lost nine straight ACC games.
In the statement, Alford expressed disappointment about the way the season has progressed and said he is “fully committed” to helping Norvell and the team rebound in the coming weeks.
Florida State is on an open date before playing Wake Forest on Nov. 1.
“We rightfully have high expectations in everything we do to represent Florida State in the manner that built our reputation as one of college football’s best programs, cultivating an extraordinary group of supporters nationally and globally. 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. Meanwhile, we are fully committed to helping Coach Norvell and the 2025 Seminoles strongly rebound in the coming weeks.”
If Florida State made a move away from Norvell, the Seminoles would owe him about $54 million in buyout money. All told, including staff salaries, Florida State would have to pay about $72 million if Norvell and his staff are fired.
After going 13-1 and winning the ACC in 2023, Florida State went 2-10 a year ago, and Norvell made staff and personnel changes to try and change the trajectory of the program. He hired Gus Malzahn as offensive coordinator and Tony White as defensive coordinator, and he brought in transfer quarterback Tommy Castellanos to lead the way.
Norvell, in his sixth season with the Seminoles, vowed his team would play the edge that was missing a year ago, and against Alabama it certainly looked that way as the Seminoles were aggressive and set the tone at the line of scrimmage. But in four ACC losses, the same mistakes that plagued them last year have cropped up, from turnovers to penalties to blown assignments.
The low point came Saturday in a 20-13 loss at Stanford, when the Seminoles had 13 penalties and allowed a backup quarterback who had never thrown a collegiate pass to beat them. Fan discontent has grown, and speculation has swirled about the direction of the program.
Florida State is 5-15 since the 2023 ACC championship game, including an embarrassing loss to Georgia in the Orange Bowl — after the Seminoles were left out of the four-team playoff.