College Football

Jimbo Fisher Makes First Public Comments Since Being Fired by Texas A&M

Published

4 months ago

January 5, 2024

It’s been months since he was fired by Texas A&M, but West Virginia native Jimbo Fisher is finally ready to clear the air.

Fisher made his first public comments since news broke about his abrupt dismissal on Nov. 12. The accomplished head coach appeared on an episode of the Barstool Sports podcast Pardon My Take that was released on Friday.

Even though he seems open to a return to coaching at some point, Fisher says he’s enjoying taking some time away. “Eventually, that time and what you do – you’ll wanna get back into it,” said Fisher when asked if he still has the desire to coach.

Jimbo Fisher says he plans to take some time off coaching, but seems open to a return at some point.
“Eventually, that time and what you do – you’ll wanna get back into it.”
🎥 @PardonMyTake pic.twitter.com/PndqoDckN0
— Ben Peck – KAGS 🦚👍 (@TheBenPeck) January 5, 2024

Fisher admitted that one plus of being away right now is a break from dealing with the chaos of NIL and the Transfer Portal.

“The last two to three years of this thing, there has been more change in college football than ever. It is unbelievable how this has transformed. In February, you can’t have kids on campus, and in July you can’t. That is an NCAA rule. Every other weekend of every other month of the year, you are working seven days a week every day.

“And you’ve got recruits. You’ve got people. There is somebody on your campus and things going on. Our staff worked every other weekend except for those two months. So basically 45 weekends a (year) is what we worked year-round. It has changed.

“And understand this – think if the NFL was open free agency. And now they just passed another rule. It is unlimited transfers. It is not just one. Now it is unlimited and you don’t have to wait until you graduate.

“Think if every contract in the NFL right now was negotiable. It is unbelievable. And people are tampering with players. College football right now, it needs a commissioner. And we need to do this thing the right way.

“Go get your 50 or 60 teams – whoever is going to be in Division I – and make it more like the NFL. Intertwine your leagues of play a lot more so you can get a true playoff picture and play more like you do with the NFL and do it the right way.”

Fisher opened up about his feelings on the “Sliced Bread” message board poster controversy that impacted college football.

“College football changed on a lie. I am going to write a book on this one day. I am going to write a book. When he wrote those numbers, I said, ‘My God, where is it at?’ The amount of NIL deals at A&M at that time in all sports combined – he said we (bought) our class with $35 million. There was right at $1 million for all sports combined (at A&M).

“That is why it upset me so much about it. You can insinuate all those things that have always been said. But you are insinuating that the families of – and I am telling you, that was as far from the truth as anything that was ever out there.

“And here is the big thing: all of the media went and ran with that story as truthful without ever checking it. And I am talking about the big dogs. I am talking about all of the people we regarded as highly-respected guys.

“College football changed on a lie. I am going to write a book about it one day.”

Despite the constant rumors about his job security, Fisher also discussed if he was blinded sided by the decision and timing of his firing since it came after a big win.

West Virginia Native Jimbo Fisher Out at Texas A&M, Leaving Fans to Speculate About His Future

“You do not ever see it coming. I still thought we were playing well. We had a great game. We were hopefully going to finish out 8-4, have a chance to go 8-4 and then 9-4 and win nine games. And we had the injuries that happened.

“I really think the team we had coming and what we had going was going to be a really good football team. But hey, that is it. That is their choice. That is what they make. I wish them the best, and I hope those kids have success.”

And Fisher even talked about why he’s so fine with sitting a season or two out, his gigantic buyout.

“Honestly, I do not have social media. Believe that or not. I had guys who would tell me all the stuff we have to have and report. I mean, it is amazing. But it does not surprise me. Anything on social media now. Anything to get a hit or get a thing.”

Fisher also got into his Florida State tenure too, including his 2013 National Championship season. He offered his take on if the Seminoles should have made the College Football Playoff. To no surprise, he does believe Florida State got screwed.

I have never said a bad word about Jimbo Fisher. pic.twitter.com/ykCHXyCfn3
— FSU Plays Daily (@FSUplays) January 5, 2024

There was a moment WVU fans were wondering if Fisher would consider coming home to coach the Mountaineers. And while he has admitted to possibly having an interest in the past, the West Virginia job would have to be open first. Instead of pursuing Fisher, WVU decided to retain Neal Brown and continue his climb after a nine-win season and a bowl win.