The Florida State Seminoles are having a nightmare of a season, with a dismal 1-9 record under head coach Mike Norvell. As fans question the team’s performance, the finger-pointing has begun. Is it the players, the coaching staff, or Norvell himself who’s responsible for this catastrophic season? With the Seminoles struggling to find their footing, the question remains: Is firing the staff an ideal solution?

FSU management fired wide receivers coach Ron Dugans, defensive coach Adam Fuller, and offensive coach Alex Atkins in order to improve the team’s present standing. Now, FSU has found itself in hot water following this dismissal because it must pay its coaches a substantial sum. Following the Noles’ 13-1 2023 season, Fuller and Atkins each agreed to 2-year contracts through the 2026 season. Therefore, Fuller will receive a $4 million buyout in addition to $2 million for each of the following 2 seasons. And the $2.7 million that Atkins was supposed to get over the next 2 years will now be paid. On top of this, Dugans will get a $625,000 buyout, with only 1 year remaining on his deal. If you calculate it now, the number you get will be enormous.

Well, the total amount that FSU will pay these 3 coaches in retention payments over the next 2 seasons is approximately $7.325 million. In addition, they will receive slightly more than $1 million for the remaining portion of this year’s contract, which expires in Feb. According to Steve Berkowitz of USA Today, the entire sum is expected to be around $8.5 million, which will be disbursed in installments during the remaining contract period. Is firing coaches the right move for the team, given the financial implications at this late stage of the season? Maybe, or maybe not.

The head coach’s statement about this dismissal, however, was somewhat startling because it seemed like changing the coaching staff would completely alter FSU’s situation. But are they solely accountable? Prior to focusing on this, review the HC statement.

Mike Norvell’s take on the coaching carousel

“I appreciate the work these three men have provided over the last five years with me at Florida State. They are all great men with families who also have poured into our program. We had many great moments together here, and I have never doubted their passion for our players and for Florida State. Unfortunately, we have not upheld the Florida State standard with our results on the field this season. I did not make any of these decisions lightly, but I felt changes needed to be made to elevate our program back to where we all desire it to be,” said head coach Mike Norvell.

However, do you not believe that Norvell is equally responsible for the current state of affairs at FSU? Thus, he must fire. It is shocking, though, that his $63 million wager is the only reason his employment with FSU is still safe. Removing him from the program is not that easy. If the organization decides to terminate his contract, it will have to pay him a hefty sum of $63 million, which is equivalent to 85% of his salary and ends in 2031.

But hold on. This team was undefeated in conference play last season under this coach. What transpired in 2024, then? Has Norvell suddenly lost his coaching skills, or is it just terrible luck? Indeed, it’s a perplexing turn of events.