What's next for Mike Norvell? Potential paths for ex-FSU coach, including high-profile coordinator options

Armed with a massive $50 million buyout, the former Seminoles coach could target an open head coaching role, reset as a coordinator or take a full year off Mike Norvell is out of a job after Florida State fired him Sunday following a 36-24 loss to Clemson that dropped the Seminoles' record to 3-5.e Florida State will owe Norvell nearly $50 million, subject to mitigation, in what is the third-largest buyout in college football history. Losing your job is never easy, though that substantial amount of money can afford Norvell the ability to be choosy in what he does next. There seem to be three main paths Norvell can take in 2027.

It may not have worked out in the end, but Norvell has some strong resume points. He has four seasons of 10 or more wins (2 at Memphis, 2 at Florida State) and will always have that perfect 13-0 2023 regular season. Norvell has a reputation for a strong offensive mind and X's and O's expertise, too. Options for this cycle might be limited for Norvell, however. Unless the carousel really gets swinging and we see a significant domino effect, there just may not be that many Power Four and Group of Six jobs that feel like a fit. The most obvious would be a return to Memphis