ESPN's Pete Thamel predicts next college football head coach firing

Staff Writer
ESPN's Pete Thamel predicts next college football head coach firing image

ESPN’s Pete Thamel believes the next high-profile head coach to lose his job could be Florida State’s Mike Norvell.

On the College GameDay podcast this week, the topic was brought up about who might be next, and Novell's name was given without hesitation.

From beating Alabama and being on top of the world in Week 1 to possibly finding your way out in Week 14. Welcome to college football in 2025. 

"Mike Norvell is squarely in the crosshairs, Thamel said. "I think he’s 2-12 in the ACC in his last 14 games. That speaks for itself in that realm.”

Just two years ago, Norvell had the Seminoles back among college football’s elite. Florida State went undefeated in the regular season, captured the ACC title, and appeared positioned for a College Football Playoff berth before being snubbed in favor of one-loss Alabama.

Since that moment, the program has spiraled. The Seminoles are just 6-15 since being rejected with only two conference victories in their last 14 games.

This year began with renewed hope. Florida State stunned top-10 Alabama in Week 1, sparking optimism that Norvell had rediscovered the program’s magic. But after starting 3-0, the Seminoles dropped four straight and five of their last six, now sitting at 4-5 overall and 1-5 in the ACC.

Behind the scenes, the school is reportedly holding “back-room conversations” about Norvell’s future. His buyout, which is an estimated $58.4 million, remains the main obstacle preventing an immediate move. If held together would make it the second-largest payout in college football history.

Florida State faces Virginia Tech, NC State and Florida to close the season. The final three-game stretch could decide Norvell’s fate. 

“We’re still gonna have a few busy Sundays before this is all said and done," Thamel added.

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Contributing Writer