Jimbo Fisher signed a 10-year, $75 million contract in December of 2017 to be the head football coach of Texas A&M.
Boosters and donors of collegiate programs in the state of Texas do not mind kicking out big bucks to coaches, especially if its teams are beating marquee schools. Fisher is winless in his first three tries versus Nick Saban and the University of Alabama.
RELATED: Jimbo Fisher says Texas A&M will beat Nick Saban’s ass before he retires from Alabama
The last victory for the Aggies against the Crimson Tide came in 2012 with Johnny Manziel.
He was a magician at the quarterback position, and Manziel handed Saban a 24-29 loss at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama went on to win a national championship that year; however, Manziel and Texas A&M provided the Tide with a blemish on its record. Aggie fans are craving for a win over Alabama as they are winless in its last eight meetings. During a Q&A session with fans at the Houston Touchdown Club on Wednesday, Fisher told one fan that Texas A&M ‘is going to beat Nick Saban’s ass while he is at Alabama.”
1955 audio from Jimbo Fisher speech to Houston TD Club: https://t.co/GDCYvUwA01 pic.twitter.com/sCgG3RX7WJ
— Brent Zwerneman (@BrentZwerneman) May 5, 2021
He also mentioned the respect he has for his friends, but the importance lies in him beating Saban.
After winning seven national championships, some people are tired of seeing Saban on top.
Many obstacles have been directed at him — including two recruiting periods, poaching coaches from him, and the NCAA transfer portal.
Saban has made everything work to his advantage, and it has created more frustration for others. Now, the plan is to find a former Saban assistant coach that is the most like him.
When a program locates its candidate, the hope is that it can dethrone Saban and force an early retirement.
RELATED: Nick Saban explains Alabama’s 2021 team to donors and ticket-holders: “We are going to have a younger team in a lot of ways.”
Fisher is confident, but one coach feels that Saban will have his number in the fall.
Lane Kiffin is one of the most controversial coaches in the sport, but he knows not to mess with Saban.
He was Alabama’s offensive coordinator from 2014 to 2016. Kiffin produced two 3,000-yard quarterbacks (Blake Sims, Jacob Coker), two 1,000-yard receivers (Amari Cooper, Calvin Ridley), a Fred Biletnikoff Award winner (Cooper), one 2,000-yard rusher (Derrick Henry), and a Heisman Trophy winner (Henry) during his time under Saban. He enters his second season as head coach at the University of Mississippi, but Kiffin offered one message to Fisher on Twitter.
Here we go again. 🤦♂️ calling out the 🐐 In the middle of another championship?!?!? Good luck @AlabamaFTBL Just went on the wall in the weight room in TTown https://t.co/thzGuy1LCj
— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) May 6, 2021
Since joining the Southeastern Conference in 2012, Texas A&M has not beaten Alabama (0-4) at Kyle Field.
This season will be interesting as Saban and the Tide will battle Fisher at College Station, Texas.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
