The rumors have swirled since the firing of Kevin Sumlin last weekend, but few believed it would amount to anything. Every season, in fact, it seems as though Jimbo Fisher’s name gets thrown for each new coaching vacancy but it appeared to be just a leveraging tool. That is the case no longer as Fisher has reportedly agreed to become the new head coach at Texas A&M.
An underwhelming 2017 campaign – marred by injuries – saw Jimbo Fisher’s Seminoles suffer through their worst season in two decades going 5-6 on the year. Fisher, however, has consistently been one of college football’s elites at Florida State and his spectacular 83-23 record reflects that. He earned a ring beating Auburn in the 2013 National Championship and had double digit wins in six of his eight seasons at Tallahassee. The Aggies, on the other hand, have failed to earn double digit victories under Sumlin since Johnny Manziel’s reckoning in 2012.
With the Tennessee and Arkansas head coaching searches still under way, this is a groundbreaking pickup for the Aggies. Alabama fans should keep an eye on Jeremy Pruitt – who had been rumored to be interviewing for head coaching positions – as he could become a leading candidate to replace his former boss at Florida State. The strength of the SEC West has now just gone up immensely.
