FSU's Jimbo Fisher declines to comment on LSU job

Florida State’s Jimbo Fisher thinks the biggest problems with the turnover in college football coaching jobs is a lack of patience and finding a replacement capable of delivering results.

After 11 years, it looks like LSU is ready to move on past Les Miles, and Fisher is considered a top target for one of the highest profile jobs in the Southeastern Conference, according to multiple reports.

Fisher, 50, declined to comment about leaving FSU for LSU during his Monday press conference, ahead of the No. 14 Seminoles’ regular-season finale against No. 10 Florida on Saturday in Gainesville.

“I have no comment on that,” said Fisher, who has won 48 of its last 53 games at FSU. “I have a policy. I don’t speak about jobs. It’s unfair to the players that are there, the players that are here, the coaches here. And there is no job opening. So I have no comment on that.

"That’s a policy I have and I’m not going to comment on any job in any way, shape or form.”

LSU boosters are ready to relieve Miles of his duties despite his $15 million contract buyout, and have their eyes on Fisher, Clemson’s Dabo Swinney, TCU’s Gary Patterson and Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gruden, according to a report Sunday by the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

ESPN.com also reported USC athletic director Pat Haden is interested in reaching out to Fisher to fill the Trojans’ coaching vacancy, but Fisher has experience coaching in the SEC.

Fisher was Nick Saban’s offensive coordinator and quarterback coach at LSU from 2000-2006, winning a national title in 2003. He also coached at Auburn from 1993-1998.

“I watched him do it all the time,” Fisher said of Saban denying jobs while employed. “To me, I don’t every want to speak (on another job). It’s so unprofessional. I think it’s disrespectful to even do those things."

Fisher agreed to a contract extension through 2022 that pays him $5 million this season and can be voided after $5 million buyout before Dec. 31, 2016. He is in his ninth season at FSU, and is 66-13 in his six years as head coach after taking over for the Bobby Bowden.

Fisher had a Freudian slip saying winning an SEC championship is always a goal each season during a recent radio call-in show. He quickly caught himself and clarified he meant to say ACC championship instead.

The Seminoles won three straight ACC titles before being eliminated for contention by Clemson earlier this season.

Miles led LSU to a national title in 2007 and lost to Saban and Alabama in 2011. The Tigers got off to a 7-0 start this season before losing to Alabama, Arkansas and Ole Miss in the last three weeks. Miles has lost more than three or more games in the last four seasons.

There are currently 13 FBS jobs are available due to either midseason firings or coaches resigning this season, including three in the ACC. Syracuse relived Scott Shafer joined Miami and Virginia Tech on the list Monday morning.

When VT coach Frank Beamer announced his retirement, Fisher candidly commented on the state of college football coaching jobs on Nov. 2.

“Our world is such a quick-change world," Fisher said. "We want to change, but we don't think about what that change causes, who you going to hire, who you going to bring in. There's so many moving parts. … When you get good people, be patient."