FSU's Mike Norvell Talks Hot Seat Ahead 2026 CFB Season, 'I Don't Fear Failure'

After winning a combined seven games over the last two seasons, Florida State head coach Mike Norvell is entering the 2026 campaign with questions surrounding his job security.

However, Norvell confidently told The Athletic's Ralph D. Russo that he doesn't feel that he is coaching to save his job this season.

"I don't fear failure. I never have. I do fear regret," he said. "And the only thing that I could be in control of is me, the team, the guys that I get to lead on a daily basis. And so, you know, I just want to make sure that I don't regret any of the work or the investment into these guys to help put them in the best position for what I believe we can accomplish."

Amid the Seminoles' 5-7 2025 season, school officials were forced to address unrest among fans by announcing before the end of the year that Norvell would return in 2026.

"FSU Board of Trustees Chairman Peter Collins, Vice President and Director of Athletics Michael Alford, and I are in complete agreement that changes are needed for our program to improve," FSU president Dr. Richard McCullough said in a statement at the time. "Coach Norvell embraces our support in that process and agrees that success must be achieved. He continues to demonstrate an unwavering belief in this program's future, and so do we. This decision reflects a unified commitment to competing in the rapidly evolving landscape of college football, while maintaining continuity within the program."

It seems that the university's commitment to Norvell hasn't changed, as he told Russo that there is "great alignment throughout our administration."

"For me and everybody around the football program, you can't get caught up looking at everything on the outside," he added.

Norvell has coached the Seminoles since 2020 and has a record of 38-34 in six seasons at the helm. The team won a combined 23 games over the 2022 and 2023 seasons, including going undefeated in the latter year.

Despite the recent tough stretch, Norvell maintained his confidence that Florida State will be able to turn things around this year.

"We've had the opportunity to be there and to have great success, but we've also lived on the other side of it, and, you know, excited to get back," he said.