The Texas A&M Aggies open the 2024 season with Mike Elko at the helm for his first season in College Station. This comes, of course, after the Aggies spent a pretty penny to part ways with former head coach Jimbo Fisher. What happened to the former Texas A&M head coach and where is he now?
What Happened to Jimbo Fisher?
Texas A&M signed former Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher to a huge 10-year, $75 million contract in 2017 after firing coach Kevin Sumlin. However, after less than six years, Fisher was fired for poor performance.
Fisher had some initial success with the Aggies, which led to a huge four-year extension in 2021 that ran through the 2031 season. The issue for the Aggies was that the contract included a massive buyout, guaranteeing Fisher the bulk of his more than $9 million annual salary for each year of the contract in the event of his firing.
Things began to go downhill from there, and Fisher was on thin ice after a 5-7 season and last-place finish in the SEC West in 2022.
The Aggies started the year 6-4 in 2023 and beat Mississippi State 51-10 before the university pulled the trigger and fired Fisher. Fisher finished his Texas A&M coaching career with a 45-25 record. After firing Fisher, the Aggies didn’t have much success in 2024, finishing out the final three games with a 1-2 record.
As part of the initial contract agreement, Texas A&M will pay Fisher a buyout in excess of $75 million. This is the largest buyout in college football history, beating the second-most by more than $50 million.
In his stead, defensive line coach and co-defensive coordinator Elijah Robinson served as interim head coach.
Where Is Jimbo Fisher Now?
Recently, Fisher announced his next job and while it’s not on the sidelines, it is in the world of college football.
Fisher will join two of his former players, fromer Florida State quarterback EJ Manuel and LSU running back/fullback Jacob Hester, on the Sirius XM college football show “Off-Campus” which will air every Tuesday, according to an announcement from Sirius XM.
Fisher has been a mainstay as a guest on the show in the past, but now he’s joining as a co-host. He won’t be on the sidelines, but he’ll still play a role in college football.
In the offseason, the Aggies tabbed former Duke head coach Mike Elko as their new head coach and he begins his tenure with a critical Week 1 game against Notre Dame.
The Aggies are looking to move forward, and so is Fisher.