Mike Norvell is (probably) going to be fired by Florida State before the final game of the 2026-27 college football season. The timing of his seemingly inevitable ouster depends on his buyout (and remaining results) but an unserious pass rush rep from Mandrell Desir during the historic loss to SMU on Monday night should be the proverbial nail in his coffin.
It is a direct reflection on the culture in Tallahassee.
If Norvell does not make it through the rest of the college football season, remember this moment.
Mandrell Desir had the most embarrassing rep of the college football season.
At 6-foot-4, 270 pounds, Mandrell Desir committed to Florida State as a three-star prospect in the recruiting Class of 2025. The freshman defensive lineman finished with 30 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, one pass breakup and one forced fumble in 2025 to be named as an All-ACC Honorable Mention and the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year runner-up.
He ultimately decided to return to Tallahassee during the offseason (on a big NIL deal) after a brief entry into the transfer portal. His first game as a sophomore was embarrassing.
Desir did not record a single tackle and had one of the worst pass rush reps I have ever seen. Look at how he danced to the line of scrimmage as if he was practicing his crossover dribble:
— Mr. Salmons (@MrSalmons) September 8, 2026
And then he got obliterated while SMU gained 30 yards on 3rd-and-10.
Broadcast footage of #FSU Mandrell Desir air dribbling before being blocked and taken to the ground as the #Noles give up a 30 yard pass pic.twitter.com/cMm0z2VxCQ
— Carter Lowe 🦡 (@carterjlowe) September 8, 2026
That is teaching tape for all of the wrong reasons. Mike Norvell should pull this up during the team film session to illustrate what his defensive players should not do. If he is still employed— that is.
Mike Norvell is probably going to be fired by Florida State.
If the first two weeks of the 2026 college football season were any indication, it is going to be a long year for the Seminoles. They struggled against New Mexico State in Week 1 and lost to SMU in Week 1. It was a historic loss.
According to OptaSTATS, Florida State became the first FBS or NFL team in the last 30 years to finish a game with a three-turnover advantage, twice as few penalties, more rushing yards, higher time of possession and fewer missed field goals than its opponent — and still lose. That’s embarrassing.
And then you have to consider why. Mandrell Desir was dancing his way to the line of scrimmage on one of the biggest defensive plays of the entire game. Those kind of antics are unacceptable. It is a direct reflection on the coaching staff.
Unfortunately, the decision to cut Mike Norvell loose will not be cheap. Barring a miraculous turnaround that begins with a win over Alabama on Saturday, the 44-year-old is going to be fired. We just don’t know when.
Norvell is owed a buyout of $51 million if he is let go before Dec. 1, 2026. That number drops to $46.7 million on Dec. 1. Would Florida State be willing to pay an extra $4 million to move on before the end of the season? I would think so — especially after the unserious rep from Desir and the subsequent loss on Monday. The clock is ticking.