Florida State University’s football program faced two major setbacks over the weekend and into the week, as the Seminoles dismissed head coach Mike Norvell and lost star wide receiver Duce Robinson for the remainder of the season due to injury.
Florida State fires Mike Norvell after 3-5 start
The Seminoles’ season unraveled following a 36-24 home loss to Clemson on Saturday, marking their third consecutive defeat. On Sunday, Florida State announced the firing of Norvell, who had been the head coach since 2017. The school agreed to a reported $50.3 million buyout, one of the largest in college football history. Defensive coordinator Tony White was also relieved of his duties. Former Seminoles quarterback Rick Stockstill was named interim head coach.
Florida State’s record now stands at 3-5 overall and 1-4 in ACC play this season. Norvell’s tenure included a 24-30 record in ACC games since 2020, though his 2023 team finished undefeated at 13-0.
Duce Robinson suffers torn ACL, out for season
On Tuesday, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that Duce Robinson, Florida State’s leading receiver, will miss the rest of the season after tearing his ACL during the Clemson game. Robinson, a 6-foot-6, 230-pound senior, transferred to Florida State in 2025 from USC and earned first-team All-ACC honors last season with 56 catches for 1,081 yards and six touchdowns. This year, he leads the team with 24 receptions for 438 yards and four touchdowns in eight games.
Robinson’s injury compounds losses to the offense, which had already seen star running back Ousmane Kromah ruled out for the season with an ankle injury. The absence of Robinson, a top prospect for the 2027 NFL Draft, further complicates Florida State’s offensive rebuilding efforts under new leadership.
Program faces uncertain future
The dual developments leave Florida State’s football program in flux, with interim leadership tasked with stabilizing a team that has struggled on and off the field. The program’s recent success under Norvell—culminating in a national championship in 2023—now appears distant as the Seminoles navigate a challenging transition period.