Jimbo Fisher has been plotting his comeback to college football after being out of the game since his 2023 firing from Texas A&M. His tenure with the Aggies ended with a 45-25 record and a staggering $77.5 million buyout, leaving a cloud of bitterness over his departure.
Despite the massive payout, the former head coach feels he left unfinished business in 2023. Currently, alongside Ed Orgeron, Fisher is one of the only title-winning head coaches on the market in the ongoing coaching carousel, making his next move one of the most closely watched storylines in the sport.
Why Is Jimbo Fisher Still Unhappy With His Texas A&M Exit?
During the recent coaching carousel, Fisher appeared on “Mac and Murray’s CFB show” and revealed he was not pleased with his firing from Texas A&M. In 2023, he received the largest buyout in league history, but the money hasn’t eased the sting of being let go.
“At the end of the day, I still won 73% of my games and 80% of my bowl games. I mean, I won a national championship. It is what it is, and it’s all about what you have done. As a head coach, you’re responsible for what happens,” Fisher shared.
A recent, surprising move in the coaching world underscored Fisher’s point about the importance of patience. Following their narrow loss to the Northwestern Wildcats, Penn State decided to move on from head coach James Franklin, even though the Nittany Lions were just one game away from a national championship in 2024.
“It goes back to what I said. People want it now; they have no patience,” Fisher explained. “Even James had a couple of down years; look at Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh had some really losing years, and he figured it back out. There’s no time to figure it back out. It’s one year, two years, and you’re done. Because money changes everything.”
How Has the Coaching Landscape Evolved Since Fisher’s Departure?
In his six seasons at Texas A&M, Fisher compiled a 45-25 record and signed a new 10-year contract with $95 million guaranteed in 2021. However, he was fired for a record buyout, having never led the Aggies to the playoffs.
“According to the terms of the contract, Texas A&M will owe Jimbo Fisher $19.2 million within 60 days and then pay him $7.2 million annually through 2031,” ESPN’s report read back when Fisher was fired.
Years on from that decision, the Aggies have become one of the top teams in College Football. With an undefeated record this season, they are currently a lock for the playoffs. According to PFSN’s playoff meter, they have a 96.62% chance of reaching the postseason.
According to Fisher, massive buyouts like his have only increased the pressure on head coaches. This issue came into focus again after LSU recently fired head coach Brian Kelly, who received over $50 million in compensation following his departure from the university.
“These people who have money have no patience. In the old days, like I said, there’d be no Bobby Bowden today. From 80-86, the best he was was 9-3. And he never beat Florida once,” Fisher shared, referencing Florida State legend Bobby Bowden.
MORE: Jimbo Fisher’s Deep Ties Might Influence Coaching Move Amid Florida, Penn State Openings
“And then in ’87, he had that fourteen-year run in the top five for fourteen straight years. He played for five national championships. He wouldn’t have been here,” Fisher claimed.
Before his time at Texas A&M, Fisher was on top of the world at Florida State. He coached the Seminoles for eight seasons, earning an 83-23 record and winning the 2013 national championship with a thrilling 34-31 victory over the Auburn Tigers, led by Heisman winner Jameis Winston.
With that kind of track record, it is no surprise that reports suggest the former Florida State head coach is looking to make a return to College Football. Given the number of jobs currently on the market, it would not be surprising to see the national title-winning head coach land somewhere new very soon.
