Florida State HC Mike Norvell shuts down hot seat pressure before pivotal 2026 season
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Florida State football seemed to be back on the right track after a successful 2023 season under Mike Norvell, but the Seminoles have followed that up by winning just seven games over the next two seasons.
Many college football fans and pundits expected Norvell to be fired at the end of last season, which Florida State started by beating Alabama before limping to a disappointing 5-7 finish. Instead, Florida State has opted to keep Norvell for at least another season.
Naturally, the seventh-year Florida State head coach is coming into this season on the hot seat. If the Seminoles get off to a slow start this fall, it wouldn’t come as a major surprise to see them make a midseason coaching change. Despite that added pressure, Norvell isn’t focused on the potential downsides of losing again this year.
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“I don’t fear failure. I never have,” Norvell said at ACC Media Days, via On3 Sports. “I do fear regret.”
While Florida State has some individual talent on its roster, such as star wide receiver Duce Robinson, there are still some holes that could hold it back this season. That starts at quarterback, where Auburn transfer Ashton Daniels is expected to get the Week 1 start.
Daniels failed to lead an elite passing game during his time at Stanford and then during the 2025 season at Auburn, even with two very good receivers in Cam Coleman and Eric Singleton Jr., so relying on him to do so this season is a big risk.
Florida State also has a difficult schedule this season, which is another factor working against Norvell this season. After getting underway against New Mexico State on August. 29, FSU will play back-to-back games against SMU and Alabama. There are also road trips to both Louisville and Miami (FL) along with a home date with Clemson on the slate.
Norvell may not have to make the College Football Playoff to keep his job, but he does have to have Florida State in contention for the ACC title through most of the season. Given all of these factors, that is no guarantee.
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