Jimbo Fisher Signs On With Seminoles Through 2018
Heading into their upcoming national championship game against old rival Auburn, the Florida State Seminoles have secured the services of head coach Jimbo Fisher for the next five years.
The school announced the $21 million deal that will keep Fisher in Tallahassee through 2018 on Tuesday, details courtesy of ESPN’s Joe Schad. An official copy of the contract will not be available until later this week.
“We are extremely pleased with the direction of our program and believe that this new contract will assure that Coach Fisher is in place to lead the Seminoles for a long time to come,” said Florida State Athletic Director Stan Wilcox.
“Coach Fisher enjoys the full support of the leadership of the university and we look forward to the continued success of our football program on the field and in the classroom.”
According to ESPN, the deal does not keep Fisher away from other potential job openings and includes a buyout option.
Jimbo Fisher has been the Seminoles head coach since Bobby Bowden retired in 2009; Fisher had been announced as “next in line” to replace Bowden when he was hired in 2007. Under the leadership of Jimbo Fisher, the Seminoles have 44-10 and won the ACC Championship the last two years. Jimbo coached the team to three consecutive bowl victories, including the 2012 Orange Bowl. This year, Fisher led Florida State to its first undefeated season since 1999 and the final BCS National Championship game, January 6, 2014 in Pasadena; Florida State had played in the inaugural BCS National Championship in 1999.
Prior to the announcement, Fisher has been the leading horse in the talks surrounding the head coaching position with the University of Texas football team. That might not be changing but the terms of the new deal will likely include a hefty buyout should Fisher decide to jump ship to coach the Longhorns.
What do you think about Florida State re-signing Jimbo Fisher heading into the national championship game? Would you have liked to see Jimbo Fisher take the job at Texas? Do you think Jimbo Fisher should make the jump to professional football in the near future?
