It looks like Mike Norvell will put on the headset again in 2026.
Multiple sources are reporting that Norvell will likely assume the play calling duties for the offense after Gus Malzahn announced his retirement Monday morning. Norvell had been the primary play caller for the FSU offense for 2022-2024 after Kenny Dillingham left the program.
JUST IN: I'm told that Mike Norvell will call plays for FSU this season.https://t.co/hpZoj8OWCl pic.twitter.com/z9oqAlIz9v
— Brendan Sonnone (@BSonnone) February 2, 2026
Tim Harris Jr. will take over the offensive coordinator title. He is the Seminoles' pass game coordinator and wide receivers coach.
“I want to thank Coach Malzahn for his effort and dedication to our program over the last 14 months,” Norvell said. “He did a wonderful job coordinating our offense and calling plays in 2025, and he has set a strong foundation for us to continue building on in 2026 behind the coordination of Tim Harris and the multiple other assistant coaches who are returning.”
Mike Norvell puts the FSU offense back in his hands
There is a lot to unpack here. When Norvell hired Malzahn and defensive coordinator Tony White, he took a major step back in day-to-day coaching. Malzahn brought him several staffers he was familiar with and White basically brought his entire defensive staff from Nebraska. Now Norvell is back in the fire, and he's going to be working with offensive coaches that, honestly speaking, didn't come to FSU to coach with him. The chemistry there is unknown. Malzahn did his own thing with his guys, now things will be different. Maybe that's a good thing, but we really won't know for a while.
But that being said, Norvell should do more coaching. He's not a bad coach and sometimes he can be very good. His first year as a CEO left a lot to be desired, and it's very possible he should be more focused on coaching and let others handle the recruiting and other minutia that I don't think he excels at.
This will bea pivotal year for Norvell. He knows he probably wouldn't be here if FSU could afford his buyout. Now he gets to place his fate in his hands. If things work out, he'll get the credit and if they don't, he'll likely get a pink slip.