Florida State University fired head football coach Mike Norvell on November 1, 2026, following a 3-4 start to the season. Norvell compiled a 23-4 record during the 2022-23 seasons but the program declined sharply, posting a 2-10 record in 2024, 5-7 in 2025, and 3-4 in 2026. The decision comes with a reported buyout of approximately $50 million owed to Norvell.
Top Candidate: Manny Diaz
According to Noles247, the 247Sports affiliate covering Florida State, Duke head coach Manny Diaz has emerged as a leading candidate. Diaz, a 1995 Florida State graduate and Miami native, is 6-2 at Duke this season. He went 18-9 in his first two seasons with the Blue Devils, led them to the 2025 ACC championship with an overtime victory over Virginia, and signed a contract extension through 2031 in April. Diaz previously served as head coach at Miami from 2019 to 2021, posting a 21-15 record, and spent two seasons as Penn State's defensive coordinator.
Additional candidates are under consideration, though specific names have not been publicly disclosed beyond the Noles247 subscription service.
