In an expected — yet bombshell — bit of news, the Texas A&M Aggies fired head coach Jimbo Fisher on Sunday. The Aggies have largely underperformed under Fisher’s tutelage, winning just 26 conference games during his six-year tenure.
How the Aggies are handling his lucrative contract is eye-opening, though.
Jimbo Fisher Fired from Texas A&M
The reports were accurate, and the Aggies fired Fisher on Sunday. First reported by TexAgs Executive Editor Billy Liucci, the news was continually confirmed throughout the morning. Andrew Brandt joined in, adding in the fact that Fisher’s contract that includes a $76 million buyout will be honored.
Even Darren Rovell, famous for monetary figures in sports, broke down the contract offerings Fisher made during his time as a college football head coach.
Fisher is set to make $76 million from 2024 to 2031 after being fired from Texas A&M.
Even more eye-opening from A&M’s decision to buy out Fisher’s contract is the fact that his contract is guaranteed at that $76 million figure, and it will not be offset if he takes another coaching job. Fisher can coach elsewhere and still cash in on the $76 million A&M owes him.
How that affects the Aggies’ search for another coach remains to be seen.
Fisher’s business acumen may be more impressive than his coaching record as his constant salary increases despite one or two solid years have wowed those who are just now viewing his contracts.
In 1998, he made $72,000 at Auburn. He parlayed that up to $425,000 at Florida State as the offensive coordinator before getting a hefty bump to $1.6 million when he took over for the legendary Bobby Bowden. Fisher won a national championship at FSU and got a pay raise to $5 million before famously throwing away his Christmas tree early in Tallahassee and leaving for A&M.
He made $9.15 million during the 2023 season and will make, on average, $9.5 million a year until 2031 from Texas A&M.
Fisher Fails to Live Up to Expectations at A&M
The expectations were simple for Fisher: Win or contend for national championships.
And simply, that did not occur for Fisher.
The Aggies largely got worse in each of Fisher’s years at College Station. He took over for Kevin Sumlin and went 9-4 during his first season, his only non-Covid year that saw a winning record in a full season’s worth of SEC play.
His records at A&M paint a clear picture of his downward trajectory.
2018: 9-4 (5-3 SEC)
2019: 8-5 (4-4)
2020: 9-1 (8-1)
2021: 8-4 (4-4)
2022: 5-7 (2-6)
2023: 6-4 (4-3)
Jimbo Fisher Career Coaching Resume
It’s clear that Fisher can coach. However, the majority of his successes came with either other-worldly quarterback play or when he was able to focus on the offensive side of the ball singularly. That is, after all, how he got his start.
- Samford – Graduate Assistant, QB coach (1988-1990)
- Samford – Offensive Coordinator, QB coach (1991-1992)
- Auburn – QB coach (1993-1998)
- Cincinnati – Offensive Coordinator, QB coach (1999)
- LSU – Offensive Coordinator, QB coach (2000-2006)
- Florida State – Offensive Coordinator, QB coach, Head-Coach-In Waiting (2007-2009)
- Florida State – Head Coach (2010-2017)
- Texas A&M – Head Coach (2018-2023)