Mike Norvell is one of the highest-paid coaches in college football. The eight-year, $80 million extension last year came off winning the ACC championship in 2023.
FSU originally intended to pay Norvel $9.9 million in 2025, but a restructured contract term now reflects an updated salary of $5,435,000. This is due to $4.5 million going back to the university for NIL help.
Florida State started the 2025 season at 3-1, including a 46-38 loss to unranked Virginia. Norvell's team bounced back from a 2-10 record last year. They picked up a major season-opening 31-17 win over then-No. 8 Alabama, along with easy victories over East Texas A&M and Kent State.
Given the first bump in the road and now one ACC win in the past ten tries, here's the details of Norvell's contract, including a formal buyout agreement that is an eight-figure total.
Mike Norvell buyout terms
According to Sportico, Norvell's buyout was $64.1 million. The figure drops daily and reflects 85 percent of his remaining contract until 2031.
In the case Norvell is fired, Florida State owes him 85% or his remaining salary and additional compensation through the end of his contract, which lasts until Dec. 31, 2031. FSU can either pay the buyout all at once, or monthly through the remainder of his contract period, according to ESPN.
$64.1 million on Dec. 31, 2025
$51 million on Dec. 31, 2026
$42.5 million on Dec. 31, 2027
$34 million on Dec. 31, 2028
$25.5 million on Dec. 31, 2029
$17 million on Dec. 31, 2030
$8.5 million on Dec. 31, 2031
If Norvell is fired without cause between now and the end of the deal, he will be entitled to a pro rata share of the $4.5 million starting this year.
Pro rata sum for Norvell
2025: $4,500,000
2026: $3,750,000
2027: $3,000,000
2028: $2,250,000
2029: $1,500,000
2030: $750,000
2031: $0
Mike Norvell's bonuses
Norvell's original contract at Florida State includes $1.55 million in bonuses per season, based on incentives.
$750,000: Florida State wins nine games in a season
$150,000: Florida State attains a team APR of at least 990
$200,000: Florida State attains a team APR of a perfect 1,000
$100,000: Florida State appears in ACC Championship
$100,000: Florida State wins the ACC
$150,000: College Football Playoff bowl game appearance
$50,000: Norvell is named National Coach of the Year
$50,000: Norvell is named ACC Coach of the Year
Here was FSU athletic director Michael Alford's statement when Norvell inked his new deal.
"(Norvell) took an honest assessment of what the program needed from its leader to move forward. I'm excited about the future of Florida State football. FSU will continue to be a leader in the new structure of collegiate athletics, and that includes how we provide for our student-athletes. It will take additional support. I'm not going to be shy about encouraging others to follow Coach Norvell's actions and contribute however they can."
Norvell said, "I wanted to be proactive in my financial assistance through this time of transition as we all push forward to get back to the standard of Florida State football. Great days are ahead, and I'm grateful to coach these players and lead this staff. We have been hard at work to uphold the tradition here at Florida State, and I believe this step will help accelerate the process to where I know we are going."
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