Jimbo Fisher resigns at FSU, will be new Texas A&M coach
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KTRK) -- Florida State Seminoles coach Jimbo Fisher has resigned and will be named the new head football coach at Texas A&M.
Fisher won't coach in Florida State's game tomorrow against Louisiana-Monroe.
He will replace Kevin Sumlin, who was the sixth coach in the Southeastern Conference to be let go this year.
That decision is pricey for the Aggies. Sumlin had two years left on his contract and will walk away with a $10 million buyout. According to ESPN, Texas A&M officials have approved a 10-year, $75 million contract for Fisher, which is the richest deal in college football history in terms of total value. He will be the second highest paid coach in the FBS with an average salary of $7.5 million.
Fisher won the BCS National Championship in 2013 with the Seminoles and was 83-23 in eight seasons as their head coach.
Why would he leave? Texas A&M sources say this is why they hired Scott Woodward as Texas A&M's Director of Athletics and everything is in place from top to bottom. Fisher has a standing relationship with Woodward and Aggie sources say they are ready with facilities and commitment that matches nation's elite.
Statement from FSU VP and Director of Athletics Stan Wilcox:
"President Thrasher and I have worked together through this challenging period while Coach Fisher was making a decision, and I appreciate the cooperation, support and leadership he has provided. In the interim, I have appointed associate head coach and defensive tackles coach Odell Haggins to serve as our head coach versus ULM. As the president alluded to, we are extremely pleased by the quality of individuals who have already expressed interest in being the head coach at Florida State University. I am confident we will fill the position very soon. I would tell our supporters and fans the same thing that I told our team: we will hire a head coach that will lead Florida State to ACC and National Championships; one who will maintain our commitment to academic excellence; and one who will make you proud to be a Seminole."
