Mike Norvell survived two straight years without a bowl game. That alone should tell you how messy things are in Tallahassee. But the real problem isn’t just wins and losses. Florida State is broke, and nobody seems to know how to fix it. Norvell is fighting to keep his job while his athletic department begs for money to stay afloat.
Locked On Seminoles host Brian Smith broke down the crisis on February 6, 2026. Florida State owes more than $400 million. Smith says the administration needs a massive donation immediately, or the entire operation will collapse. “There are two things. Number one, they have to find a way to get a massive donor donation. There’s no shortcut,” Smith said during a fan Q&A. The debt comes from football facility construction and Doak Campbell Stadium renovations that were supposed to signal championship ambition.
Smith warned that the financial mess scares off potential hires across the board. Assistant athletic directors, assistant coaches, maybe even coordinators will look at those numbers and run. Florida State already lost offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn to retirement after one season. Malzahn coached 35 years before deciding Tallahassee wasn’t worth another lap.
The Seminoles went 5-7 in 2025 after opening with a statement win over Alabama. Four straight losses followed. Late defeats against NC State and Florida killed their bowl hopes for the second consecutive year.
Mike Norvell Bets His Future on One Season
Desperation makes people do risky things. Norvell wanted to manage the program remotely when Malzahn arrived. That plan died with the retirement announcement. Now he’s handling play-calling, roster decisions, and trying to convince boosters this thing still works. Auburn’s Ashton Daniels runs the offense. Texas back Quintrevion Wisner joins Ousmane Kromah in a rebuilt backfield. Receiver Duce Robinson stayed despite watching everyone else bail or get pushed out…