FSU Hires Jimbo Fisher

[Ksyrup]

You should have read the "insider" info from Warchant.com for the past week. It was like a roller coaster/soap opera - Fisher had signed, Fisher reneged when Saban took the Alabama job, Saban was putting the heat on and had convinced him to come to Alabama, our new OL coach was pissed he wasn't coming because he came to FSU thinking Fisher was coming, then it was on again, then they broke it off, then he had a signed deal, etc.

After all of that, hopefully this is a positive step for FSU's offense. And Fisher now steps in for Kevin Steele (who left to be DC with Saban) as the #1 inside candidate to replace Bowden when he retires.


Florida State hires Fisher to replace Jeff Bowden

Florida State has hired LSU assistant coach Jimbo Fisher as offensive coordinator, ESPN's Jim Donnan reports. Fisher replaces Jeff Bowden, who resigned Nov. 14. Florida State coach Bobby Bowden was competing with new Alabama coach Nick Saban for Fisher. A university source in Tallahassee told ESPN.com's Ivan Maisel on Wednesday that both Bowden and Saban had offered their offensive coordinator jobs to Fisher, who has held that position at LSU since Saban hired him in 2000. Florida State also recently named Rick Trickett -- with whom Fisher worked at LSU and at Auburn in the 1990s under Bowden's son, Terry -- its new offensive line coach.

[Kodos]

Excellent. Screw Saban.

[wade moore]

Hrmm... Wonder what this is going to mean for LSU. Their offense, imo, has done a lot with talent that wasn't as good as some of the rest of the SEC for several years now.

[Butter]

Good, that'll keep Bobby safe for a couple more years while they continue to struggle to 7-5.

[timmynausea]

They're both good coaches, but I actually think Trickett is a bigger get for FSU than Fisher. Trickett is one of the best OL coaches in the country, and I really wanted to keep him at WVU.

[Ksyrup]

Originally Posted by Butter_of_69

Good, that'll keep Bobby safe for a couple more years while they continue to struggle to 7-5.

Go Gators!

I've decided that blood is thicker than water. I'm rooting harder against OSU than UF tonight. I'm still hoping for that nuclear winter thing to happen, but it's not looking likely.

I've also decided that the only less appealing matchup for me personally would be Miami/ND. Now that I'm living in SEC country, at least I can pretend that a UF win would somehow help the local team. Bah, who am I kidding?

[cschex]

Wade, I disagree that LSU's offensive talent hasn't been as good as some of the rest of the SEC. Louisiana has been producing a ton of blue-chip offensive recruits lately and many of them have come to the Tigers. Fisher has had a lot to do with the development but the position coaches LSU has in place have been very strong as well. Personally, I'm hoping they promote Todd Monken to take over, as I think he's going to be a good one.

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by cschex

Wade, I disagree that LSU's offensive talent hasn't been as good as some of the rest of the SEC. Louisiana has been producing a ton of blue-chip offensive recruits lately and many of them have come to the Tigers. Fisher has had a lot to do with the development but the position coaches LSU has in place have been very strong as well. Personally, I'm hoping they promote Todd Monken to take over, as I think he's going to be a good one.

I'll be honest and say that since they're in the SEC West I know less about them... I think my opinions revolve mainly around Davey, RB's not named Addai, and WR's not named Bowe. It has always seemed to me, without a ton of watching or analysis, that their skill position players were not as physically gifted as some other teams, but performed as well if not better.

However, I could easily be wrong and just underestimating them - I definitely don't claim any in-depth knowledge .

[Ksyrup]

Warchant.com has also reported that 4 of Fisher's recruits from the upcoming recruiting class are coming with him to FSU, but there are no names in the report.

[Tigercat]

Fisher is a terrific developer of QBs, a good recruiter, and a decent playcaller. Florida State got a pretty good one. LSU, IMO, can do a bit better. (If we will or not I don't know.) Miles himself is probably a better playcaller. We will greatly miss Jimbo's ability to get so much out of the QB talent given to him.

LSU has had lots of offensive talent over the last few years Wade. Henderson, Reed, and Clayton at WR, all in the NFL still. Dom. Davis and Joe Addai are both boarderline probowl RBs in terms of talent. Since 1999 we have had 5 former LSU QBs make regular NFL rosters. It will be 7 this year if Russell and Tulane QB Richard make rosters after the draft, which they should. Over the last 5-6 years I would say LSU has put out more offensive talent into the NFL draft than anyone in the SEC. Although Florida and Tenn are up there and debateable too.

Ksyrup, that rumor may be true, but LSU recruiting sites have been asking offensive players for weeks about Jimbo possibly leaving and all the recruits have been saying that they are committed regardless of that. Not that what recruits say to team recruiting analysts mean all that much, but...

[cschex]

Yeah, on the recruits, I'll believe it when I see it. These types of reports happen when one AC leaves a program for another, but unless the old team is complete inept, they can hold on to most of the recruits. As down as I am on Miles, I think he is a good recruiter and has a good team in place.

I'm happy we had Jimbo, though I never liked his playcalling for the running game. Assuming Russell is leaving, I think that getting a new OC might be good for next year anyway, as we will be more run-based.

[Tigercat]

To me Jimbo's biggest weakness in play calling is his inability to use good play calling to develop a team identity. Especially early in a season. Having a balanced attack with a wide variety of formations is not a good way to allow skill position players or linemen to get into the groove of what they are doing.

I would have been fine with a power running game early in seasons, I would have been fine with a wide open attack. I would have been fine with a west coast offense out of simple formations that provide a wide variety of options. But it just seems like Jimbo's play calling keeps his own players off balance as much as it keeps defenders.

(Although to his credit, usually by the end of the season the players seem to do well with his play calling regardless of what he calls.)

[wade moore]

I forgot about a ton of LSU guys that you mentioned there. So yeah, looks like I may just be underestimating LSU's talent at the skill positions.

[Ksyrup]

I guess I missed the news over the weekend that FSU had officially withdrawn its offer to Fisher. Very strange how this whole thing went. After this, Fisher apparently contacted Bowden to restart the negotiations.

FSU withdraws off. coordinator offer to Jimbo Fisher

Posted: Sunday January 7, 2007 12:10AM; Updated: Sunday January 7, 2007 12:10AM

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- After several days of negotiations Florida State officials decided late Saturday to withdraw their offer to Louisiana State assistant coach Jimbo Fisher to become the Seminoles' offensive coordinator.

"Florida State will move forward to pursue other options among a number of outstanding coaches who want to share in FSU's traditions and values," coach Bobby Bowden said in a statement released by the university. "Coach Fisher will be a benefit to whatever organization he ends up with and we will secure the best coach available to lead our offense."

[Noop]

We have got all the pieces in place for one final run at the NC with BB at the helm. Lets hope the old man lets Lee start because Drew Wonderful is one sorry ass QB.

[Ksyrup]

I assume Weatherford will get one final shot with the new OC in place, because Bobby is clearly not sold on Lee yet. His advice after the last game was "get better" when asked hat it would take for him to play. Unless he has a miraculous off-season, I think Weatherford is still the man.

[Ksyrup]

A little blurb about finishing out the rest of the staff. Interesting rumor I heard was that "Coach Chest" (Amato) was potentially in the mix for the Minnesota job. Any truth to that?



"After at least days - if not weeks - of working out a deal with Fisher, Bowden can be expected to act quickly on finishing the overhaul of his offensive staff and finding a linebackers coach. Recruiting renews this week and it's important to have a full staff in place for the final push.

FSU has unceremoniously said goodbye to offensive-line coach Mark McHale and quarterbacks coach Daryl Dickey. It has added Fisher, offensive-line coach Rick Trickett and receivers coach Lawrence Dawsey. That leaves the lone spot on the FSU offensive staff a running-backs coach.

One very familiar name being tossed out by the media is former FSU running back and current Green Bay Packer running-backs coach Edgar Bennett. It is also likely that Fisher will draw upon his ties for candidates.

A number of names have been mentioned by the media as possible candidates for linebackers coach. That includes two with FSU ties: former FSU linebacker Reggie Herring and former FSU linebackers coach Chuck Amato. Both are believed to still be in the mix. A couple of new names worth keeping an eye on are former North Carolina coach John Bunting - who coached linebackers in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs and the St. Louis Rams - and Wake Forest linebackers coach Brad Lambert."

[BigDPW]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

A little blurb about finishing out the rest of the staff. Interesting rumor I heard was that "Coach Chest" (Amato) was potentially in the mix for the Minnesota job. Any truth to that?

Just a little tip from a Wolfpacker... It is not Coach Chest???

It is Chuck The Chest (CTC)!!!

[Ksyrup]

He's been Coach Chest since long before he went to NC State.

[Ksyrup]

The story behind the hiring. I've heard this isn't entirely accurate, but I'm not so sure...



Dave Hart: All right, let’s get this thing started. Jimbo, you have
agreed in principle to take over as our new offensive coordinator. We’d
like to announce that today if we could.

Jimmy Sexton: Hold on, hold on. There are still a few things we have
to iron out before we go ahead and announce it.

Hart: Like?

Sexton: Like the chances that Coach Fisher will take over when Coach
Bowden retires.

Jeff Bowden: I didn’t retire, they made me quit.

Hart: No, idiot. He’s talking about the REAL Coach Bowden. Go get me
some more coffee. And yes Mr. Sexton, Coach Fisher has a very good
chance to replace Coach Bowden when he hangs it up for good. Provided,
he can do a better job with our offense than Jeff did the past six
years.

THE WHOLE ROOM BREAKS UP IN LAUGHTER

Jeff: Hey, we were young every year. Our O-line wasn’t any good. Greg
Carr couldn’t block. The ACC has improved …

Hart: Shhhh. Quiet time now, Jeff.

Jimbo Fisher: I just want to coach football. That’s all I’m even
thinking about right now … wait a second, is that a 12-pointer there?
Damn, look at that pretty thing. Hold on a sec, fellas.

Sexton: And also I don’t want there to be a huge buyout clause in this
contract. If an attractive job comes open next year I don’t want my
client to be hamstrung by a huge financial obligation.

Bobby Bowden: There’s a more attractive job than this one out there?
Are you kidding? Buddy, you understand that we were about seven plays
this year from being 12-1. Boy, if we could have only caught some
breaks.

Hart: (under his breath) Or if we didn’t have your son on staff.

Sexton: I understand that coach, but some big-time schools might make
a run at my client. His dream is to be a college football head coach.

THE SOUND OF A SHOTGUN ECHOES

Jimbo: I got em! I bagged that son of a gun. That’s the biggest deer
I’ve ever seen. I can die a happy man now. WOLVERINES!!!!!!!!!!

Hart: Look, we have to protect ourselves here. We don’t want to be
going through another search like this one next year.

Sexton: Well sorry Dave. But that’s what happens when you hire great
assistants. They end up becoming head coaches.

Hart: Yeah, we haven’t had that problem here in a while.

Bobby: It’s all about loyalty men. I write about it in a little book
called “The Bowden Way.” If you show loyalty to your staff, then
they’ll show loyalty right back … hey, wait a minute. Is that Coach
Dickey in the parking lot? Call security.

Jeff: I’ll go tell him to get lost, daddy.

Bobby: No, no, Jeff. I don’t want you getting near him either. I don’t
want you to ever associate with him again. You understand me?

Jeff: Yes, sir.

Bobby: He’s the reason you sucked as an offensive coordinator. Well,
him and the media.

Sexton: Back to the original conversation. If we can’t get those terms
agreed to, we’re going to have to keep our options open.

THE DOOR TO THE CONFERENCE ROOM SWINGS OPEN --- IN WALKS T.K. WETHERELL

TK: I’m back from Wyoming! And I’m pissed. Why hasn’t this deal been
done yet?

Jeff: W? What were you doing in Europe Mr. President?

Sexton: TK, we need some very solid assurances that Jimbo is next in
line to be the head coach at Florida State or we’re going to explore
other options?

TK: What did you say to me? What was that? … I don’t believe my ears
…. Explore other options? … Is TK Wetherell gonna have to choke a
bitch?

Hart: Calm down, TK. It’s just a negotiation ploy.

TK: Oh, I’ll give this slimy agent a negotiation ploy. We’ve had this
deal in place for a month and now he’s going to back out? Are you
Jeffing me?

Jeff: Hey, I don’t appreciate my name being used as a synonym for sh--.

TK: Well, then you shouldn’t have been so sh-tty.

Sexton: TK, my client could be the head coach at a number of
high-profile universities in the next few years. Places like Georgia
Tech, Auburn, Alabama.

Bobby: I thought Saban said he was going to be at Alabama until he
retires?

THE WHOLE ROOM BREAKS UP IN LAUGHTER

Sexton: Nevertheless, we need some assurances that he’s next in line
at Florida State.

TK: I’ll give you some assurances. I can assure you of this. The next
time I see you, Mr. Sexton, I’m going to have a pair of metal plyers
and a blowtorch.

Sexton: Hey, that’s unnecessary.

TK: Where is your client by the way? Why isn’t he here?

Hart: He’s hunting.

TK: Hunting what? Poon?

Hart: No, it sounded like he was hunting deer.

TK: Are you Jeffing me? We’re offering this guy almost 500K a year and
he’s out in a tent somewhere shooting at wildlife? The deal is off.

Jeff: Does that mean I get the job back?

Hart and TK: NO!!!

Bobby: Here is my quote for the press release, “we are looking for
someone who shares the values of Florida State University. Good luck to
Coach Fisher in all of his future opportunities.”

Jimbo: Hi guys, I’m back. Man that deer blood sure is refreshing. Is
the deal done?

Sexton: Umm, Jimbo, I got some bad news. It looks like …

TK: It looks like your agent just screwed you out of your dream job,
Deer hunter. Good luck with Coach Miles for another year.

Jimbo: NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Anything but that. I’ll do anything.

Hart: Will you sign the contract?

Jimbo: I will.

TK: Great news! Dave, draw up the contract and fax it to Jimbo! Bobby,
go home and get some sleep. Jeff, take my laundry to the dry cleaners
and wash my car.

[timmynausea]

I saw that Rick Trickett already yanked a recruit's scholarship offer. Massive 340 pound tackle Chris Little (6th best tackle prospect in the country on Scout) has switched his commitment from FSU to Notre Dame. Basically Trickett thinks he is too big and slow for a zone blocking scheme.

Still it is interesting. Pretty much everyone offered this guy (Florida, Georgia, LSU, ND, etc.) FSU finally won recruiting the battle a week ago and then yanked his scholarship a few days later.

[Ksyrup]

Interesting.

[timmynausea]

Trickett has run off another player at FSU. This time it was Tackle Matt Hardrick, who was a freshman last year and was a 4 star recruit on rivals coming out of high school. Here's a quote from the article:

Mia Robinson, Hardrick's mother, said Tuesday that her son and new offensive line coach Rick Trickett had a poor relationship, which Robinson said propelled the dismissal.

"It wasn't a surprise," Robinson said of learning her son's fate at FSU. "Basically they [Trickett and Hardrick] were bumping heads, and I just found out not too long ago how in-depth it was, how he was handling my son."

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sport...,2499884.story

Trickett has an incredibly confrontational style that borders on degrading and some guys can't handle it. The less you stand up for yourself, the worse you get it. From what I've read regarding some of his former players at WVU, this guy is probably better off to just be getting out of there ASAP if he's the one that had become Trickett's whipping boy.

I do think he'll get results at FSU, though. Maybe not this year, but before too long.

[Crapshoot]

"Amateur" football at its finest.

[nole4sho]

Coach Trickett was the most important hire Florida State made this offseason. He has a proven track record so if he is running off guys who are just eating scholly space then I am all for it.

[timmynausea]

Originally Posted by nole4sho

Coach Trickett was the most important hire Florida State made this offseason. If has a proven track record so if he is running off guys who are just eating scholly space then I am all for it.

He does have a track record of running guys off, but it seemingly has little to do with their level of talent. It's more about a clash of personalities and/or egos. Some of the guys he ran off at WVU were among our best O-Line recruits and even guys who were getting it done on the field.