Despite his enormous contract, Texas A&M finally pulled the trigger on a move that had long seemed inevitable as they officially fired head coach Jimbo Fisher.
Aggies Athletic Director Ross Bjork spoke of the decision and made it clear that the University was not happy with the direction the program was heading.
“The assessment that I delivered was that we are not reaching our full potential,” Bjork stated. “We are not in the championship conversation, and something was not quite right about our direction and the plan. We should be relevant on the national scene.”
Why fire Jimbo Fisher the day after a big home win? Ross Bjork details why he and the Aggie administration decided to make the move earlier in the week and how it affected game day planning pic.twitter.com/qb2sISNfDr
— Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) November 12, 2023
Fisher, who had been at the helm for six seasons, experienced success in his early years, with a 26-10 record and a #4 final finish in 2020.
However, the team’s performance severely declined over the past three seasons, with a 19-15 record and an ongoing nine-game road losing streak.
“There was something just not clicking to provide confidence for everyone in the program,” Bjork explained. “You have to adapt, you have to evolve. I’m not going to say whether he did or didn’t, but it didn’t work.”
Bjork detailed that he and Interim Texas A&M President Gen. Mark Welsh met with Fisher on Sunday morning to inform him of the immediate change.
Defensive line coach Elijah Robinson was appointed as the interim coach, with coordinators Bobby Petrino and D.J. Durkin maintaining their roles.
Fisher’s termination is expected to cost the school over $76 million due to the buyout clause in his contract, making it the largest college football contract buyout ever.
The massive financial burden will be shouldered by the athletic department and the 12th Man Foundation.
Largest college football buyouts ever:
1. Jimbo Fisher: $75 million
2. Gus Malzahn: $21.5 million
3. Charlie Weis: $19 million
4. Willie Taggart: $18 million
5. Tom Herman: $15.4 million pic.twitter.com/dm4YrkpYVr— Texas Football Life (@txfblife) November 12, 2023
“The finances are monumental,” Bjork acknowledged. “Texas A&M athletics and the 12th Man Foundation will be the sole sources of the necessary funds covering these transition costs.”
When questioned about the buyout specifics, Bjork mentioned discussions with Fisher’s representation, Jimmy Sexton, would determine the details.
Fisher’s contract, initially a 10-year, $75 million deal, was extended in August 2021, raising his annual salary to $9 million and extending the contract through 2031.
jimbo fisher getting fired and paid $76 million pic.twitter.com/ana3TyEW89
— jayhawk lasso (@jaylassoku) November 13, 2023
“That’s an institutional decision, but I take responsibility,” Bjork stated. “We’re going to learn from that and make sure that we don’t make those same mistakes again.”
Despite the financial challenges, Bjork remains optimistic about the future and is already looking for the next head coach.
“The ingredients for a championship are here,” Bjork asserted. “Aggies want to do it the right way and deserve excellence in everything that we do … Onward we go.”
Could A&M target Oregon head coach Dan Lanning???
Quite frankly, they’d be dumb not to at least explore the possibility … After all, Lanning is the hottest young coach in the country.
Would he be interested in leaving Oregon? … Money will talk, that’s for sure.
However, he does have a really good thing going in Eugene right now. Also, in the back of his mind, I’m sure he’s thinking that he has a strong chance to ultimately be Nick Saban’s successor at Alabama.
According to ESPN college football insider Pete “The Authority” Thamel, Lanning is indeed on the list of potential names A&M could target.
Others include Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, Duke head coach Mike Elko, Florida State head coach Mike Norvell, UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor, Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman, USC senior offensive analyst and quarterback coach Kliff Kingsbury and Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer.
Early list of potential names for Texas A&M, knowing money is no object: Lane Kiffin, Mike Elko, Mike Norvell, Dan Lanning, Jeff Traylor, Chris Klieman, Kliff Kingsbury and Kalen DeBoer.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 12, 2023
What are your thoughts on A&M’s decision to fire Fisher?
What’s next for Jimbo?
Who should the Aggies go after?
If you’re Lanning, and the money is all the same, would you rather be at Oregon or A&M???