Danny Kanell weighs in on Mike Norvell situation at FSU
By David Wasson
Published:
Former Florida State quarterback Danny Kanell isn’t shy about expressing what are often unique opinions, and the CBS Sports HQ analyst offered his thoughts Saturday about his alma mater along with embattled Seminoles coach Mike Norvell.
“The best-case scenario for Florida State is that Mike Norvell would run the table and put this abysmal losing streak in the rear-view. But I don’t know if that would alleviate the concern of Florida State fans,” Kanell said. “It is going to be really hard for him to win back the Florida State fans. If he wins at Clemson and wins at Florida, there is a path for him to do that. … But I think it will be an uphill battle for him to do that.”
Florida State is currently on a 4-game losing streak and sits at 3-4 during an idle week. Norvell, who is in his 6th season in Tallahassee, is in jeopardy of recording his 4th losing season at FSU (3-6 in 2020, 5-7 in 2021 and 2-10 in 2024) to offset the Seminoles’ 10-3 effort in 2022 and their 13-1 run to the ACC title in 2023.
FSU athletic director Mike Alford said earlier this week that a comprehensive review of the football program will happen when the season ends, and that while he disappointed in how the season has progressed to this point he is “fully committed” to helping Norvell and the team rebound in the coming weeks.
Norvell’s contract was extended in 2024 to an 8-year deal that averaged over $10 million per season. The coach took a one-year restructuring in 2025 to about $5.4 million, with the reduction in pay put back into the university for NIL initiatives.
If Florida State fires Norvell, the school would owe him 85 percent of his total remaining contract – currently a reported $59.2 million. That money could be paid out in a lump sum or through monthly installments through 2031.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. He also hosts Gulfshore Sports with David Wasson, weekdays from 3-5 pm across Southwest Florida and on FoxSportsFM.com. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
