Former players and fans split on Mike Norvell remaining with FSU football

The highs and lows of 2025 have tipped the boiling pot of the FSU fanbase.

Nov 1, 2025; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell walks on the field before the game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images | Melina Myers-Imagn Images

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. I'm not sure Charles Dickens was talking about FSU head coach Mike Norvell's tenure in Tallahassee, but the metaphor sticks. An ACC Championship in 2023, a record-breaking losing season in 2024, followed by a push-and-pull battle in 2025 as Norvell continues to try and steer the ship back in the right direction.

Florida State announced on Sunday that it was sticking with the former, not the latter, in its decision to keep Norvell on board through next year.

READ MORE: Why Florida State leaders chose to keep Mike Norvell as head coach

While opinions differ across the board, Florida State has put its chips behind Norvell, and the reactions are just as volatile as that same revolution in A Tale of Two Cities.

How Fans Took the News

Nov 21, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Tommy Castellanos (1) runs with the ball during the second half of the game against NC State Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images | Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

I don't think anyone is denying it. The Seminoles have underperformed in 2025. After Friday's performance in an abysmal 21-11 loss to NC State, there has been a large elephant in the room about Norvell's tenure.

Fans and some media pundits have expressed their concern. It would be a fool's errand to make sense of every tweet and fire of fury into the social media void, but here they are:

Everyone involved in the decision to bring Norvell back should be removed from their positions

— Wayne McGahee III (@WayneMcGaheeIII) November 23, 2025

This how clueless FSU is with how big boy programs are run. Even though you didn’t fire the main problem (Norvell). You are supposed to give the fanbase a body or bodies. Tokarz and Palpuchis should gone. Especially the guy in charge of ST smh. Bunch idiots all around

— N*****damus (@Bignole936) November 23, 2025

They have destroyed FSU football pic.twitter.com/KSnJCIZemb

— Defund Football (@ben_stana) November 23, 2025

Yeah we’re not a serious football program anymore https://t.co/KaBu0UjPYe

— Dominic Ferraro (@Dominic_Takeoff) November 23, 2025

Tallahassee right now… https://t.co/af260mXKQ6 pic.twitter.com/6mGQBNl90T

— Steve Schale (@steveschale) November 23, 2025

I hope everyone decides not to invest another dollar into this garbage program. Money talks, unacceptable that we’ve allowed this to become the standard. https://t.co/ZQbYBEjx67

— Carter tampaman (@CarterTAMPAMAN) November 23, 2025

Yall notice how they announced it before another loss to UF where we finish 5-7 and miss a bowl game for the 4th time under Mike Norvell?

Didnt they originally say they’d announce it after the season? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Joke of a football program and athletic department https://t.co/O4FbfA91mE

— Bo Didley (@BWattNol33) November 23, 2025

Yeah I’m done. See y’all in 2027 https://t.co/fikdiTXerK

— Devon Garnett (@DevonGarnett) November 23, 2025

Former FSU Players Respond

Florida Gators quarterback Max Brown (17) gets grabbed by Florida State Seminoles defensive back Shyheim Brown (38) and Florida State Seminoles linebacker Kalen DeLoach (4) during second half action as Florida takes on Florida State at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 25, 2023. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun] | Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK

Former FSU linemen Robert Cooper, Christian Meadows, and LB Kalen DeLoach

Of course! We’ve seen everybody against Norvell before, this ain’t new. Then they were praising him! Thats why he said everybody is with you when it looks good (fan or not). 2026 is that final chance, do it right and watch everybody try to get back in the room! Do it wrong? Man.. https://t.co/rlpUAHzZ0R

— In The Coop Podcast (@InTheCoopPod) November 23, 2025

Regardless of opinion, it appears that Norvell has the admin behind him as they tread through another tumultuous season. For better or worse, the Florida State Seminoles, 2026, will certainly have the Irving, Texas native's brand on it once again.

They lost hope in Norvell before and we knew what that felt like. It’s going to take more than Norvell, players need to know that. Not only I believe in Norvell, I believe in those young cats that apart of this rn… I hope you’re sick to your mfn stomach like we was and BUY IN!!

— In The Coop Podcast (@InTheCoopPod) November 22, 2025

Former FSU QB Danny Kanell

I know where Norvell will be in 2026.

All I can say is WOW https://t.co/a7PpM605nm

— Danny Kanell (@dannykanell) November 23, 2025

Former FSU DL Everett Dawkins

Too much garnet & gold run through my veins I could never https://t.co/Q1VccCVw07

— Everett Dawkins (@_CoachDawkins) November 23, 2025

Florida State’s decision won’t silence the noise, but it sets the course. Whether Norvell can steady the Seminole legacy or simply prolong the uncertainty remains to be seen. What’s clear is that everyone is watching closely moving forward.

The next hurdle is on the road against the Florida Gators this Saturday, November 29, at 4:30 p.m. ET.

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READ MORE: FSU football's bizarre special teams chaos defies explanation: 'once in a lifetime'

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