Florida State fired head coach Mike Norvell, university president Richard McCullough told ESPN's Andrea Adelson.
Norvell's dismissal comes after the Seminoles dropped to 3-5 on Saturday following their third straight loss - a 36-24 defeat to Clemson.
"This is a big business decision. It's the future, the fate of Florida State football," McCullough said at a Sunday night news conference. "It's the legacy that we have at Florida State and trying to get it right. That demands excellence on the field. And a trajectory going in the right direction. I'm just not seeing that trajectory. Yesterday was a bit of a defining moment for me going forward."
Norvell is owed a $50.3-million buyout, subject to offset and mitigation, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel.
Longtime Middle Tennessee coach Rick Stockstill will serve as the Seminoles' interim coach. Stockstill has been FSU's director of offensive scouting since 2024.
Florida State also fired defensive coordinator Tony White, Pete Nakos of On3 reports. White was in the midst of his second season with the Seminoles.
Norvell's best season with Florida State came in 2023, when the program went 13-1. However, the Seminoles have gone a disappointing 10-22 since then.
During his tenure with FSU, Norvell compiled a 41-39 overall record.
Florida State hired Norvell in December 2019. He served as Memphis' head coach before joining FSU, posting a 38-16 record with the Tigers.
