Mike Norvell agrees to long-term extension with substantial raise from Florida State

After posting a 10-win season this past fall, Mike Norvell has agreed to a long-term contract extension with Florida State.

The new deal, which will run through the 2029 season, calls for Norvell to make an average of $8.05 million per year, according to a release from Florida State. That is a substantial raise from his previous contract and puts him on par with Miami head coach Mario Cristobal.

Cristobal, who was hired away from Oregon last year, reportedly makes $8 million per year with the Hurricanes; he will be entering the second year of a 10-year contract. Florida coach Billy Napier, who also was hired last year, makes an average of $7.4 million per year on a seven-year contract.

Norvell’s original contract, when he was hired in December 2019, had him making $3.75 million his first year, $4 million his second year and then escalating to $5 million in each of his fifth and sixth years. An additional year was added for the 2026 season in December of 2021, and that would have called for him to make closer to $7 million.

Norvell swepth both of his in-state rivals this past season.

*ALSO SEE: Florida State’s Mike Norvell talks transfer portal, Surtain and early look at 2023 team

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Here is the release from FSU:

Florida State head football coach Mike Norvell has signed a multi-year contract extension, it was announced Wednesday. Norvell, who was hired as Florida State’s 11th full-time head coach on Dec. 8, 2019, is now signed through the 2029 season, which would be his 10th at the helm of FSU’s program.

“Coach Norvell has re-established a culture that the entire Seminole Family can appreciate,” Vice President and Director of Athletics Michael Alford said. “We are proud of the way Coach Norvell, his staff and his team represent Florida State University on and off the field. Under Coach Norvell’s leadership we have experienced the highest grade-point average in program history multiple times, an unprecedented impact in our community and drastic improvement on the football field through him establishing a foundation of unwavering standards in all areas. I’m happy that we are going to continue climbing with Coach Norvell for years to come.”

Norvell led the Seminoles to a 10-3 season with a No. 10 finish in the Coaches Poll and No. 11 rank in the final Associated Press poll in 2022. It was the 25th 10-win season in program history and FSU’s highest finish in the AP poll since 2016. The Seminoles had an ACC-best five 30-point victories and ended the year on a six-game winning streak, which is the fifth-longest active streak in the nation heading into 2023. Florida State claimed its 15th state championship and scored at least 45 points against both Miami and Florida in the same season for the first time. FSU also won games on four different days of the week, the most in a season in program history.

“I’m grateful for the trust our administration continues to place in me to lead the Florida State football program,” Norvell said. “President Richard McCullough, the Board of Trustees and Michael Alford have been important pieces in our success, and the alignment we have makes me excited for the future of this program. I appreciate their support and vision to continue our climb toward the top of college football. I’m also thankful for the people who brought me and my family here three years ago, along with the players and staff whose commitment has helped us build this foundation. The future is bright here in Tallahassee.”

Statistically, the 2022 team was among the nation’s best in multiple categories in all three phases. FSU was the only team to lead its conference in both total offense and total defense in 2022. Florida State was one of two teams nationally to average at least 270 passing yards and at least 210 rushing yards per game. The Seminoles, along with Alabama and Georgia, were the only three teams to rank in the top-15 in yards per play on offense and defense. Those three teams were also the only ones ranked in the top-20 in total defense, scoring defense, total offense and scoring offense.

Florida State led the country with an average of 7.46 plays of at least 20 yards per game and ranked second nationally with an explosive play differential of +7.41. The defense was fourth in the country in passing defense, and FSU was one of six teams nationally to rank in the top-25 in kickoff return and punt return average. Florida State led the ACC in passing defense, third-down offense, yards gained per pass, yards gained per play, yards gained per rush, total offense per game, yards per completion, yards allowed per pass, rushing offense per game, yards allowed per play, total defense per game and scoring offense per game.

“Coach Norvell has done an outstanding job with our football program, not only in terms of on-field success but in returning our student-athletes to the standards we expect both in the classroom and as members of our community,” Florida State University President Richard McCullough said. “Coach Norvell is an exceptional leader whose values align with those of our university. What is most exciting is that we believe the best is yet to come for FSU football.”

Norvell’s contract extension features a new compensation structure that averages $8.05 million per year.

Florida State returns to Doak Campbell Stadium on April 15 for the Garnet and Gold Spring Showcase. FSU once again opens its season on Labor Day Sunday Night, facing LSU on Sept. 3 in Orlando for the first of eight games in Florida for the Seminoles.

Talk about this story with other die-hard FSU football fans on the Tribal Council.