Florida State University fired head football coach Mike Norvell on November 1, 2026, following a 3-4 start to the season. The Seminoles have struggled since a 23-4 run in 2022-23, posting a 2-10 record in 2024 and a 5-7 mark in 2025. The decision comes after a third consecutive loss, this time to Clemson in Week 9. Norvell's buyout is reported to be around $50 million.
Top Candidates
Duke head coach Manny Diaz has emerged as a leading candidate. Diaz, a Miami native and 1995 Florida State graduate, is 6-2 with the Blue Devils this season. He guided Duke to the 2025 ACC championship with an overtime victory over Virginia and signed a contract extension through 2031 in April. Diaz previously served as head coach at Miami from 2019 to 2021, compiling a 21-15 record, and spent two seasons as Penn State's defensive coordinator.
Additional names are being considered, though details remain limited. The search is complicated by the substantial buyout owed to Norvell as Florida State navigates the evolving landscape of college football.
