Former FSU quarterback Jordan Travis believes he could have played a role in preventing Mike Norvell's departure from the program. Nearly three years after his final game in Tallahassee, he admitted that he still carries guilt over the injury that changed the program's trajectory.
Norvell was fired on Sunday following Florida State's 36-24 home loss to Clemson. The defeat dropped the Seminoles to 3-5, extending a disappointing stretch for the program.
On the Nov. 6 episode of "Travis Take Two," Travis opened up about his relationship with Norvell and explained how the coach's firing has affected him personally. He believes his season-ending injury in 2023 ultimately changed Florida State football's future.
"It sits on me a little bit heavy. I carry so much weight on my shoulders," Travis said. "Obviously, that 2023 season, me breaking my leg. If I don't break my leg, Mike Norvell is still at Florida State, I believe."
Travis suffered a devastating left leg injury against North Alabama on Nov. 18, 2023, when Florida State was 10-0. Although the Seminoles won their remaining games and finished 13-0, the committee left them out of the four-team College Football Playoff.
The selection committee's decision was heavily influenced by Travis' absence.
Travis believes a playoff appearance, and potentially a national championship run, could have given the program more financial resources and national attention, ultimately keeping Norvell in Tallahassee.
"If we go to the playoffs that year and go to the championship, we have a lot more money here at Florida State, and a lot more attention. Mike Norvell is still at Florida State today," he added.
Norvell's firing came after a significant decline in results. Florida State went 2-10 in 2024, followed by a 5-7 season in 2025. The Seminoles started the 2026 season 3-5, leaving the coach with a 10-22 record since Travis' final season.
Norvell's struggles with subsequent quarterbacks, including DJ Uiagalelei, Tommy Castellanos and Ashton Daniels, contributed to the program's disappointing run. Florida State president Richard McCullough also pointed to the team's lack of progress when explaining the decision.
"This is a big business decision. It's the future, the fate of Florida State football. It's the legacy that we have at Florida State and trying to get it right. That demands excellence on the field. And a trajectory going in the right direction. I'm just not seeing that trajectory," school president Richard McCullough said at a Sunday news conference.
While Travis believes his injury changed Norvell's future, the coach's eventual dismissal followed several seasons of struggles after the quarterback's departure.
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