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Jimbo Fisher’s name surfaces at Auburn (Updated, he’s staying)
December 6th, 2008, 11:53 am · 1 Comment · posted by Brad Milner
Update, Dec. 6, 7:30p.m.: Fisher indeed released his own statement, saying he’s on the recruiting trail and has had no contact with Auburn, nor has his agent. It really would have been foolish for him to leave and have to rebuild.
Update, Dec. 6, 4:09 p.m.: FSU President T.K. Wetherell said Saturday that Fisher isn’t going anywhere. It’ll be interesting to see what assurances they have him.
Original post follows:
It’s not uncommon for big names to surface just days after a resignation. This is the case at Auburn, and the new name is Florida State offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher.
There have been a few reports of this, and ESPN’s Pat Forde said on Saturday’s College GameDay broadcast since Houston Nutt has been locked up by Ole Miss that Fisher and Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson ar being considered.
Fisher is the head coach in waiting at FSU, but that doesn’t mean he has to stay there. He signed a three-year deal last December for $1 million a year. If Bobby Bowden isn’t retired at the end of the deal, the finish of the 2010 season, then FSU will give Fisher a multi-million buyout.
His contract called for a $2.5 million buyout (paid by Fisher, of course) if he went elsewhere by the end of the deal. He flirted briefly with West Virginia and the buyout increased to $5 million.
I’d assume that would be enough to deter the move. But the same could have been said for former West Virginia coach Rich Rodriquez, who wiggled his way out of a complete buyout when he jumped to Michigan.
If Fisher becomes a serious candidate, he needed to consider what he has in front of him. FSU’s offense is in much better shape and the Seminoles have better athletes than Auburn. And if he is in contention, Fisher will need tosit down with Bowden to see if the longtime coach plans to walk away soon.
I would not be surprised to see Bowden come out next year to give an exact date. That will be pushed even more should FSU really want Fisher as the successor.
We’ll see what happens in the coming days. Right now, even without head coaching experience, Fisher is the best shot FSU has to get back on track. The Seminoles can’t afford to lose him.
Too bad you didn’t have a nifty source.Then you could have said it was true with no skin off your back. Geez.