UPDATE

1:20 it’s over. Jimbo Fisher will leave for Texas A&M & will not coach the team on Saturday.

12/1

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12:30

Good morning.

-Sources within the AD do not expect Jimbo Fisher to coach Saturday, but it is yet to be seen how that will work out.

-We do not buy any of the Bob Stoops rumors. We feel confident in our hot board, with Justin Fuente and Willie Taggart as the top targets.

-We have confirmed a resignation or press conference at this time, but are actively investigating the rumors.

-As far as we know, Jimbo Fisher has not boarded a plane for Texas A&M.

-As discussed first on The Nolecast, there is a big booster meeting at 3 p.m. Check out this morning’s podcast:

Related Bye Coach by The Nolecast

-Did Jimbo Fisher throw out a fake Christmas tree? I wouldn’t ordinarily link this, but it’s from a respected reporter at the local paper.

#FSU coach Jimbo Fisher has put his Christmas tree outside his house to be picked up as garbage pic.twitter.com/N0pgrdL0bN — Wayne McGahee III (@WayneMcGaheeIII) December 1, 2017

11/30

1:30 p.m.

A story from Football Scoop suggested the wild theory that FSU could swap coaches with A&M, taking the fired Kevin Sumlin.

That got a strong laugh from a source with knowledge of the situation.

“Absolutely not. That wouldn’t fly. FSU is not taking the coach who got fired from the school that appears to be hiring away FSU’s current coach,“ he said. “I have no idea where that is coming from.”

The source further speculated that perhaps it would make sense if Fisher went to Texas A&M, Willie Taggart went to FSU, and Sumlin got the Oregon job.

1:00 p.m.

Nothing has changed since last night’s update. Just more people coming to us to additionally confirm what we’ve already reported.

As far as we know, Fisher has not given FSU an answer. But Fisher is not expected to come back. FSU is moving on. “So many coaches want this job,” a source said.

However, here are some scheduling updates for you.

At 1:15, Jimbo Fisher is scheduled to be on SiriusXM radio with Andy Staples for Danny Kannell. This was a previously scheduled interview.

At 2:15, FSU has a regularly scheduled team meeting. If Fisher is going to tell his team he is leaving, that would be an opportunity. However, the timing likely would not work if the A&M offer cannot be officially extended until the Texas A&M BoR meeting, which happens at 3:30.

12:30 a.m.

-Multiple sources within Florida State University have told Tomahawk Nation that they do not expect Jimbo Fisher to return, but rather to take the Texas A&M job. An announcement could come Thursday.

-Things are progressing at such a rate that sources are now expressing doubt about Fisher coaching the season finale against Louisiana Monroe.

-If Fisher does not coach the season finale, sources believe Odell Haggins, the associate head coach/defensive tackles coach, would serve as the interim.

-As we’ve been reporting, Florida State has been doing little to no recruiting for close to a month, and the fruit rotting on the vine finally fell Wednesday night, as three top players pulled their commitments. At the time, it was tough to tell whether Florida State was doing this because it didn’t want lame duck assistants to be recruiting, as coaching changes were expected, or if the head man was leaving. It now seems clear it was the latter. The recruiting class is falling apart.

-FSU is being proactive with a search committee and firm. It speaks volumes that FSU is not waiting on an official word from Fisher. As discussed below, Oregon’s Willie Taggart and Virginia Tech’s Justin Fuente are top options, per sources close to the search. A background check was done on Taggart Wednesday. Oregon has offered Taggart an extension, and the fact that it’s public seems to be an attempt by the Ducks to show they’re serious about attempting to keep the Florida native in Eugene.

-The Call-in show was a serious blunder, with a fan being pushed and escorted out for asking Jimbo Fisher about loyalty to the program in a calm and respectful manner. You can bet Florida State will be pressured to issue an apology for an employee roughing up a booster undeservedly. I interviewed the booster who was ejected.

-I joined Andy Staples for his podcast on Sports Illustrated. Fun show. Listen here.

11/29

3:45 p.m.

This is not an official announcement by any means, but I do think it is noteworthy. The few sources who yesterday thought Jimbo Fisher could still potentially come back now don’t believe that he can or will. Additionally, they do not believe a search will be too drawn out. The top names I am hearing remain Willie Taggart and Justin Fuente.

Some recruits are claiming they have not heard from FSU coaches in weeks, which could be an indication that a new coaching staff of assistants is coming, or that Fisher and his staff are checked out. Fit the facts to your preferred narrative.

12:30 p.m.

I’ve been working the phones all night and morning. I can’t imagine doing this job in the days before unlimited cell plans.

-The top chatter last night was about the John Thrasher statement in the Tallahassee Democrat, linked below.

“This structure has been in place since the Boosters were founded,” Thrasher said. “It has served us well, and I don't see any issues that reasonable adults could not work through. "How many football coaches have we had in the last 40 years?”

People I spoke with were shocked that Thrasher, the FSU president who has been Fisher’s biggest ally, would wash his hands of Fisher with a quote like that.

This is a Fisher ally who two weeks ago said “Jimbo is here forever. As long as he wants to be. He’s good. He’s as good as gold. He’s going to be here.”

And note that it was a prepared statement, not a quote from an interview. That means there was time to craft it, and consider the impact of the message.

“Read that. What he’s basically saying is that if you can’t work with the booster structure that has been in place for 40 years, [Fisher] is either unreasonable, not an adult, or both,” a source said. “Did you see this *&!@?,” said another, shocked that Thrasher would go public with his frustrations, but encouraged that he did.

The statement resonated.

-I wrote about how Jimbo Fisher’s power play failed, and how, if Fisher hasn’t burned enough bridges to prevent him from staying in Tallahassee, it could still work, even if it’s unlikely. Some still believe he could make it work if he comes back, and some think key relationships are too damaged.

-My sources are wondering if Fisher had any real intent to go to A&M, or if he was just using the leverage of the job offer to attempt the power play, which obviously isn’t happening. “He overplayed his hand” is a common refrain. “If your bluff is called, don’t you have to leave the table?”

-Does Fisher have the family situation figured out? Of the sources who think Fisher stays in Tallahassee, all of them think family would be the primary reason. “I just don’t think he’d leave without his kids,” a source said.

-Power players are becoming more frustrated with Fisher dragging this out. At the same time, they don’t have leverage to force him to make a decision after giving him a contract for $45M in guaranteed money.

-Going through a coaching search is scary, and there is certainly some trepidation in the Moore center of having to go through one, or in losing a coach who has won a national title, even as he has been losing his grip on the program (FSU is 10-10 in its last 20 ACC games).

-FSU has been engaged in preliminary vetting of Willie Taggart and Justin Fuente, in case Fisher does leave. Both names were on our hot board. Here is some more on Taggart, who has rapidly improved every job he’s taken.

He took Western Kentucky from 2-10, to 7-5, and 7-5, winning 14 of his final 20 games there and upset Kentucky. He set up the roster for Bobby Petrino and for Jeff Brohm, both of whom also used it to jump to better jobs. Under Skip Holtz, USF went from 8-5, to 5-7, to 3-9. The program was a disaster. Taggart came in and went 2-10, signed a great recruiting class, went 4-8, signed another, then went 8-5, and 10-2 (USF went 11-2, but Taggart didn’t coach the bowl). He was 17-4 in his final 21 games at USF. He set up Charlie Strong with probably the best G5 roster in America. Now he is on pace to bring in the best recruiting class Oregon has ever had, and by a huge margin.

That recruiting class, by the way, has several members from Florida who would likely flip to FSU if Taggart is the choice.

11/28

4:45 P.M.

Two more things to read.

First, the Tallahassee Democrat wrote about the relationship between Jimbo Fisher and University President John Thrasher, Fisher and AD Stan Wilcox, and Fisher and Booster president Andy Miller. This article is extremely telling. Fisher has a good relationship with Thrasher, but not with Wilcox or Miller, according to the piece. And the one with whom Fisher does have a good relationship is backing the other two.

“As for capital projects, we have been responsive to coach Fisher’s facility requests including the indoor practice facility, locker rooms, coaches offices, player lounge and student housing for football and are actively fund-raising for his most recent request for a football facility that is currently under architectural study by the athletic department,” Miller said. “This structure has been in place since the Boosters were founded,” Thrasher said. “It has served us well, and I don't see any issues that reasonable adults could not work through. "How many football coaches have we had in the last 40 years?”

Second, I wrote about how Fisher could still return to FSU and not take Texas A&M even as FSU calls his bluff. Some of my sources believe that Fisher has too badly damaged important relationships to return at this point. But others believe cooler heads can prevail, if Fisher changes his behavior. I wrote about what changes need to be made in that piece. I think the piece is worth your time and consideration.

Bonus: More players have told Tomahawk Nation that they do not believe Fisher’s assurances to them about the job overtures. The trust in their head coach is eroding.

9 a.m.

After checking with some sources late last night and this morning, it does not seem that a firm decision has been made. What is clear is that some important people are unhappy with Jimbo Fisher putting the school through this once again, particularly on the back of a $40M+ guaranteed contract and a 5-6 season.

Several sources have expressed doubt that this saga will continue into the weekend. Florida State is going to need an answer. Texas A&M is going to need an answer. Players on the team, and staff, some of whom are losing trust in the head coach are going to need an answer.

Several things for readers to consider this morning. First, the new episode of The Nolecast, discussing the factors in the decision. Second, the potential HOT BOARD should Fisher leave. Third, this on how FSU is investing in facilities with or without Jimbo Fisher.

11/27/2017

6:15 p.m.

According to the Tallahassee Democrat, the following tweet is from Rick Butts, the father godfather (Democrat updated story) of starting QB James Blackman. It will be interesting to see how long Jimbo Fisher’s “no comment” strategy lasts with this round of job rumors.

I for one don’t think it’s fair to the fans or the players to have this thing lingering, just say what it is and keep moving. My son is a freshman on the team and he doesn’t know. Hell he’s the QB he should know one way or the other. It’s a distraction. Kill the distraction! — The undertaker (@rickbundertaker) November 27, 2017

5:15 p.m.

-Some players weren’t exactly comforted in team meetings following Jimbo Fisher’s press conference on Monday. Fisher implored his team to ignore the rumors, and have a strong week of prep for the game against ULM. While it is true that these rumors seem to happen every year involving Fisher, some players have doubts about Fisher turning down the suitor this time. The same goes for some members of Fisher’s staff, who aren’t sure if he’ll stay or go.

1:15 p.m.

-Fisher was asked about the Texas A&M job several different ways during his press conference (asked about what he says to players, to fans, to recruits), and refused to comment. Fisher said that his players do not ask him about the rumors, and that he’d say “I’m still here coaching you right now.” Fisher also said that he does not believe refusing to shoot down rumors negatively impacts recruiting.

12:30 p.m.

-Jimbo Fisher is will address the FSU media at his weekly Monday press conference, at 1 ET.

-A strong source of more than a decade believes that Jimbo Fisher is honestly conflicted about what to do about the Texas A&M offer. The source believes that a decision should come quickly, however. The source also confirmed a meeting last night between Fisher and president John Thasher.

-In a series of tweets, Billy Lucci, the Owner of Texags (major A&M site) said the following

BREAKING: Texas A&M Board of Regents have called a special meeting on Thursday at 2:30pm. Agenda: "Discussion of legal and personnel issues relating to football program, including issues relating to appointment of new head coach." Agenda: "Discussion of legal and personnel issues relating to football program, including issues relating to appointment of new head coach." Agenda: "Discussion of legal and personnel issues relating to football program, including issues relating to appointment of new head coach"

-Mark Passwaters, a reporter for the Rivals’ Texas A&M site, tweeted the following.

BREAKING: FSU sources tell me that Jimbo Fisher is now expected by people in Tallahassee to take Texas A&M’s head coaching job. — Mark Passwaters (@mbpRivals) November 27, 2017

8 a.m.

-Jimbo Fisher once again refused to comment on Texas A&M’s offer, or on any jobs, this time to the Jeff Cameron show.

"I never comment on jobs," Fisher said. "My focus right now is winning against ULM and playing our season. I don't get in to the rumors and the rumor mill. If there was ever something to it then at the appropriate time, but right now there's no reason to comment and I'm focused on beating ULM."

-If the Florida State job opens, it is instantly the best job on the market.

-In my capacity as National Recruiting Director for SB Nation, I speak to a lot of college coaches, and they universally think Fisher would be a fool to leave FSU for Texas A&M. “He gets to play an ACC schedule with SEC players and FSU pays its coaches well,” said one. “They just gave him a new player dorm, an indoor facility, new locker rooms, player lounge,” said another. A few speculated that Fisher is obsessed with resources and infrastructure, or if he doesn’t like the roster he has coming back for 2018 after failing to cash in two loaded 2016 and 2017 teams.

-Negotiating? Some reports last night suggested that Fisher and FSU might be negotiating. I have no knowledge of that, and cannot imagine FSU giving Fisher more years or more money on his contract. If Fisher wants to feel wanted beyond the obvious adoration a $45M guaranteed contract provides, negotiation certainly could do that for him. Or perhaps FSU could figure out a way to hire one or two more support staff.

-People in the know remain very skeptical that Fisher will actually leave.

-I believe that an administrator told The Democrat this, but I don’t fully believe the administrator. Power people at FSU are well aware the Aggies want Fisher.

A senior Florida State administrator told the Tallahassee Democrat Sunday evening that FSU President John Thrasher had talked with the Seminoles’ head coach Jimbo Fisher Sunday and “as far as we know, no offer has been made by Texas A&M, and Jimbo Fisher is still our coach.”

-There were reports that Fisher told his staff and his players last night that he was staying. As of last night, those reports are not true.

11/26/2017

As expected, the Texas A&M Aggies have fired coach Kevin Sumlin after his sixth season in College Station. Sumlin failed to make satisfactory progress, and A&M lost at least four games in every subsequent year of his tenure following 2012 and faded from SEC West contention every year.

Sumlin recruited well and consistently stocked his rosters with talent, including a No. 1 NFL pick in defensive end Myles Garrett. He had top-15 talent in each of the last three seasons but didn’t produce results anywhere near that good.

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Schools do not pay eight-figure buyouts to head coaches unless they have a major replacement candidate in mind, and in this case, Texas A&M media seems unanimous that the candidate A&M is after is Jimbo Fisher, of the Florida State Seminoles.

I first discussed the seriousness of the situation on The Nolecast last Tuesday evening, stating that the day before, I was contacted by two Texas A&M-area outlets looking to book me for interviews on December 3, the day after the final Florida State game. Texas A&M people have extreme confidence that Fisher is going to take the job, and as such are looking to cover their bases by bringing on a Florida State expert on the date they believe it will go down. They also provided specifics about the contract they believe will be signed.

Now, it appears that an A&M media outlet, TV station KPRC2, has gone forth and reported that a deal is in place.

“Sources w/knowledge of TAMU search process tell me Jimbo-Fisher has a deal to be next Head Coach @AggieFootball .Fisher will coach 1 final game at FSU but not Bowl game should they become eligible. I'm told his TAMU contract will be at least 5 yrs/7.5 million per year. @KPRC2”

This matches up with what the media outlets were saying last weekend when they were trying to line up Elliott for interviews. Fisher currently makes $5.5M, and has a massive buyout of almost $40M if he were to be fired, but a much smaller buyout if he leaves to take another job.

Fisher has a pre-existing relationship with Texas A&M AD Scott Woodward, from their time together at LSU.

Fisher’s Seminoles are 5-6 this season, but have six 10-win seasons in eight years, three ACC titles and a national title. There is no question about Fisher’s ability to coach, but there are questions about whether his message now falls on deaf ears in Tallahassee. Fisher has mismanaged his coaching staff in the last two offseasons, and now has a difficult task ahead of him if he is to get FSU back on track.

Both coaches had their best success with elite QBs. Fisher was 26-1 with Jameis Winston as his starting QB, and 57-22 without. Sumlin was 20-6 with Johnny Manziel, and 30-22 without.

Fisher has repeatedly refused to deny job speculation, stating that “I never talk about jobs.” While consistent, the approach also fuels speculation that he could easily squelch with a denial. It has been an ongoing issue, first with the courtship by Texas, then by LSU twice, among other jobs.