Florida State finished with a 5-7 record last season, so many individuals are doubting the Seminoles for the 2026 season. That is understandable, given that the program has had six losing seasons in eight years.
The actions need to speak louder than words. It was wonderful to see the Seminoles defeat the Alabama Crimson Tide in the season opener, but they followed that result up with losing seven of their last eleven games. That is unacceptable.
What is even more unacceptable to the fan base is that the administration announced that it would be bringing back Mike Norvell for the 2026 season. After the embarrassing loss to Stanford, many thought there was no way that he would even be allowed back on the plane to Tallahassee.
However, Coach Norvell still has a job.
Mike Norvell is listed as one of the coaches facing the most pressure in college football
This isn't an opportunity to express my dissatisfication of the program because I honestly love the Garnet and Gold, and there is nothing like being a Florida State fan.
However, the standard has not been met for the place that the legendary Bobby Bowden built. Through all of the adversity that Coach Norvell has faced, he still has a proof of concept with having a 10-3 campaign in 2022 and going 13-1 in 2023. The issue is if he can get back to that level of success.
It is the offseason, so college football analysts are discussing a variety of teams. The hot seat conversation always generates discussion from a variety of people, especially Florida State fans, who expressed their displeasure.
247Sports' Brad Crawford drops a piece discussing college football coaches who face the most pressure to win in 2026 (click here for the full article).
College football coaches (10) facing the most pressure to win in 2026: https://t.co/JGicByWgWX pic.twitter.com/1DQCEFuN7n
— Brad Crawford (@BCrawford247) February 20, 2026
Crawford highlights the $48.5 million buyout for Norvell. Obviously, the program probably didn't have the financial resources to relieve him of his duties after the 2025 season since Florida State had renovations of Doak Campbell Stadium, built a football-only facility, and sued the ACC. On the flip side, the Seminoles' administration likely showed belief that Norvell can get this turned around.
While Jordan Travis isn't walking through those doors at Florida State, head coach Mike Norvell will be calling plays again in 2026 after allowing former offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn to take the reins in 2025. This is a situation where Norvell is getting every opportunity to take his name off the hot seat, and he has to be thrilled by that.