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FSU football coach Mike Norvell will make $4 million this year

Norvell signed his six-year contract with the Seminoles on Saturday.
Florida State head football coach Mike Norvell speaks at a news conference Sunday.
Florida State head football coach Mike Norvell speaks at a news conference Sunday. [ PHIL SEARS | AP ]
Published Dec. 12, 2019|Updated Dec. 12, 2019

New Florida State football coach Mike Norvell will earn $4 million this season with annual bonuses during the rest of his six-year deal, according to a contract obtained by the Tampa Bay Times.

The 25-page document was released by FSU on Thursday after a public-records request. It’s significantly more detailed than the initial letter of agreement between the Seminoles and Norvell’s predecessor, Willie Taggart.

Norvell’s base salary is $215,000, but other compensation boosts it to $3.75 million for the first year. His contract also calls for annual retention bonuses of $250,000 every Dec. 1.

His total compensation rises $250,000 for the first three years. In Year 5 and 6, he’ll make $5 million annually, not including the retention bonuses. That figure is what Taggart made during his FSU tenure.

Related: Why FSU’s Mike Norvell isn’t Willie Taggart 2.0

Other notable parts of Norvell’s contract:

• Norvell signed it Saturday, the day his Tigers beat Cincinnati to win the AAC championship. President John Thrasher signed it Tuesday.

• FSU estimates the salary pool for Norvell’s 10 on-field assistants will be $5.25 million.

Norvell’s buyout, if he’s fired without cause, is 85 percent of what is left on his contract. It is subject to an offset if he gets another job elsewhere.

• Other perks of the deal include a $2,000 monthly car allowance, country club membership and 12 tickets per football game. His maximum on-field bonus is $800,000 for a College Football Playoff national championship.