Mike Norvell shares excitement of signing contract extension with Florida State: 'We're building something special here'

Florida State head coach Mike Norvell was one of the main beneficiaries of the Nick Saban retirement, as he inked a long-term, big-money deal with the Seminoles to stay on as head coach amid speculation he was a candidate to take the Alabama job. Not that going 13-0 and winning a conference championship prior to the bowl loss didn’t help, either.

And now Norvell gets to guide Seminoles program into the future in a new-look ACC, as he’s under contract through 2029. Speaking on the ACC football schedule release show, Norvell shared his excitement to be in Tallahassee for the long haul.

“We’re building something special here in Tallahassee,” Norvell said. “Who I get to do it with, obviously the work that’s gone in, we put our hearts into this. I’m just so grateful for our administration, I’m grateful for the coaches, for the players, for everybody involved. It is a special time to be a Florida State Seminole and we’ve done some wonderful things these last few years but we’re just getting started to where we’re going.”

The new deal reportedly pays out Norvell upwards of $10 million annually. And with a program seemingly poised to continue competing for College Football Playoff berths and conference titles for the foreseeable future, Norvell seem content to put down deeper roots.

“To be able to know who I’m getting to do it with, these players and the work they’ve put in, it’s definitely — it’s something I don’t take lightly,” Norvell said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity, grateful for what I represent and who I get to represent along this path and along this journey. It’s definitely been a lot of fun and we’re excited for what the future holds.”

Norvell discussed the challenges of opening the season Ireland

The Seminoles will kick off their season in Dublin, Ireland, where they’ll take on Georgia Tech in a Week 0 game.

“Everything leading up to the game is going to be business,” Norvell said. “The plan’s already been kind of put into motion of when we’re going to leave, what it’s going to look like, making sure we’re building all the things to go play the best that we possibly can.”

In other words, don’t expect players to enjoy a ton of the Emerald Isle before the game is played.

There’s a lot at stake with back-to-back conference games to open the season — Boston College visits Tallahassee on Sept. 2 — and no cupcakes beforehand to get a tune-up before them. You need to be firing on all cylinders right out of the gates.

“We have to. That’s something that they’re accustomed to it,” Mike Norvell said. “Last year, you know, playing LSU on a big-time stage. I loved the fact that our first two games are going to be basically the only games on. We get to play on Saturday of Week 0 and then on Monday night of Labor Day, all eyes on us. Another conference game.

“It’s going to be a critical beginning to what we want to do and what we want to accomplish, but there will be a great sense of urgency for the work. Like I said, that started a week ago and our guys are already doing a great job with it.”