Jimbo Fisher era ends at Texas A&M
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) - Sunday morning, Texas A&M officially fired head football coach Jimbo Fisher. Director of Athletics Ross Bjork confirmed the news, announcing a “change in Aggie football leadership” in a statement sent to media just after 11 a.m.
“After very careful analysis of all the components related to Texas A&M football, I recommended to President Welsh and then Chancellor Sharp that a change in the leadership of the program was necessary in order for Aggie football to reach our full potential and they accepted my decision,” Bjork said. “We appreciate Coach Fisher’s time here at Texas A&M and we wish him the best in his future endeavors.”
Bjork addressed the media on Sunday afternoon.
KBTX Sports had learned of some rumblings late Saturday night that there could be some ‘big news’ coming out of Texas A&M University concerning Fisher.
Those rumblings gained some traction Sunday morning as TexAgs’ Billy Liucci first reported on X that ‘per multiple sources, Texas A&M was set to part ways with Fisher as early as today. The decision was reached at the recommendation of the Athletic Department/University President during last Thursday’s Board of Regent Meeting.’
Unlike most firings, Fisher’s era will end with a victory. Texas A&M beat Mississippi State Saturday night 51-10 to become bowl-eligible.
Fisher did not seem to be aware of the decision by the University to part ways following the victory.
“We’re 6-4. Need to be the best 7-4 team in the country and the best 8-4 team in the country. That’s our goal. That’s what we can control right now. No, I don’t dwell on those things right now. I live in the moment, and we got to be ready to play Abilene Christian next week,” said the six-year A&M head coach.
Fisher will reportedly be owed $76 million upon his firing, according to sources, which is a record amount for a buyout paid to a head coach. That number is more than double the known buyout paid to a fired college head coach.
Jimbo is 45-25 in six seasons at Texas A&M, and signed a new 10-year contract with $95 million guaranteed in 2021. That deal was given, in part, because of the potential at the time of Fisher leaving for LSU.
Texas A&M University does not fire a coach unless they have one in mind. The question now is who is that coach?
ESPN’s Pete Thamel has put together an early list of potential names for Texas A&M, knowing money is no object: Ole Miss’ Lane Kiffin, Duke’s Mike Elko, Florida State’s Mike Norvell, Oregon’s Dan Lanning, UTSA’s Jeff Traylor, Kansas State’s Chris Klieman, USC QB coach Kliff Kingsbury, Washington’s Kalen DeBoer.
Thamel said Texas A&M associate head coach Elijah Robinson is expected to serve as the team’s interim coach.
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