5 FSU coaching candidates to replace Mike Norvell now.

Florida State fired head coach Mike Norvell on Tuesday after a 3-5 start to the 2026 season.

The school will pay a buyout approaching $50 million, the third-largest in college football history.

Norvell leaves with a 38-31 record over six-plus seasons in Tallahassee.

He went 13-1 in 2023 and won the ACC championship, but the program fell apart after that.

The Seminoles went 2-10 in 2024 and 3-5 in 2025 before the firing.

Now athletic director Michael Alford faces the most important hire of his tenure.

Here are five candidates expected to be on FSU's list.

1. LANE KIFFIN, OLE MISS HEAD COACH

Kiffin has turned Ole Miss into a consistent top-15 program.

He is 34-14 in four seasons in Oxford, including a 10-3 mark in 2025.

Kiffin has a $9 million annual salary and a buyout north of $20 million.

He has never publicly expressed interest in leaving Ole Miss.

FSU would need to make him one of the five highest-paid coaches in the sport.

2. GLENN SCHUMANN, MICHIGAN DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR

Schumann is widely considered the top coordinator candidate in the country.

He was the defensive architect behind Michigan's 2023 national championship.

At 34 years old, he has never been a head coach at any level.

That makes him a risk, but also a potential bargain compared to established names.

FSU interviewed Schumann for the job in 2019 before hiring Norvell.

3. BARRY ODOM, UNLV HEAD COACH

Odom has rebuilt UNLV into a Mountain West contender.

He is 24-16 in three-plus seasons in Las Vegas, with two bowl wins.

Odom previously served as Missouri's defensive coordinator under Gary Pinkel.

He is known for developing overlooked recruits and maximizing limited resources.

His buyout at UNLV is approximately $3 million, making him an affordable option.

4. JEFF GRIMES, TEXAS A&M OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR

Grimes has turned Texas A&M into one of the most explosive offenses in the SEC.

The Aggies average 36.4 points per game in 2026, fifth nationally.

Grimes served as FSU's offensive line coach from 2013-2015 under Jimbo Fisher.

He has head coaching experience at the high school level but never at college or pro.

His recruiting ties in Texas and Florida are considered elite.

5. JON SUMRALL, INDIANA HEAD COACH

Sumrall has Indiana at 8-0 and ranked No. 4 in the nation in 2026.

He is 16-4 in his second season in Bloomington after taking over a 3-9 program.

Sumrall previously won a national championship as defensive coordinator at Georgia.

His buyout at Indiana is approximately $12 million.

He has not commented publicly on any interest in leaving Indiana.

LINCOLN RILEY, USC HEAD COACH, IS ALSO ON THE HOT SEAT

Riley's USC program is 4-4 in 2026 and has not made the College Football Playoff.

He is 27-15 in three-plus seasons in Los Angeles.

Riley's buyout at USC is approximately $30 million.

FSU has not indicated any interest in Riley, but his name continues to surface in coaching carousel speculation.

THE BUYOUT DETAILS

Norvell's buyout is approximately $49.5 million, according to multiple reports.