TALLAHASSEE -- Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher answered with a curt ‘no.’

He paused after his initial response to a question about whether he believed silence on coaching rumors could negatively impact recruiting. Fisher then elaborated a little more, indicating that past decisions to ‘no comment’ coaching rumors while negotiating never hurt FSU’s recruiting classes in the past.

“We’ve recruited very well since I’ve been here, haven’t we?” Fisher asked, rhetorically, during his Monday press conference.

Two days later, two long days with swirling rumors about Fisher’s interest in Texas A&M and no definitive comments from FSU’s coach, the Seminoles lost one commit in four-star cornerback Houston Griffith. Then a little later into Wednesday evening, FSU saw another pledge decommit, this time it was three-star defensive back Israel Mukuamu. Finally, the hat trick was completed, as four-star center Verdis Brown backed away from his commitment.

Oh, and commits Amari Gainer and D'Marcus Adams voiced frustration with the lack of communication from FSU’s current coaching staff.

Lack of communication got us thinking and wanting answers ?? https://t.co/mKDqhWe2dJ — F L O R I D A?? (@D3era) November 30, 2017

So, uh, yeah. Silence can hurt recruiting.

On Monday it was an inconvenience.

On Tuesday it was a hindrance.

And by Wednesday it led to an unmitigated dumpster fire.

At its best, this was hubris at its finest, a miscalculation on Fisher’s part if he intends to stick around at FSU. He’ll have to mend a lot of fences and will need to scramble to salvage the 2018 recruiting class.

At its worst, and this is the most likely scenario, Fisher has moved on already from FSU. Maybe not physically, but emotionally.

Meanwhile, current players are still in the dark as of Wednesday evening and assistant coaches have not been informed of Fisher’s intentions. Those inside the football program or on its periphery have described the last 24 hours as "embarrassing" and "unfortunate" while one parent of a player said that it's probably best for Fisher to go. Trust has been broken.

It’s crystal clear now: We’ve reached the point of no return.

This situation, as it currently is constructed -- with no clarity, no definitive answers from Fisher -- cannot go on. It's unhealthy for the university, for the football program and I'd imagine everyone (including Fisher) involved in the negotiations. We reported earlier that FSU expects a decision from Fisher to be made public today, and that Fisher’s decision is expected to be that he’s going to Texas A&M. Maybe there’s a scenario in which Fisher changes his mind in the next few hours -- FSU would ultimately want to keep Fisher, because he’s a proven coach -- although that would take a ton of humility and a clear plan to clean up this mess. But it’s more likely that Fisher is gone and FSU is going to place as much pressure as it can -- which isn’t much given Fisher’s favorable contract -- to force the coach into making his decision.

No more limbo, it’s time to move on if a decision has been made.

The first indication that FSU was ready to move forward without Fisher, to me, came on Tuesday when president John Thrasher publicly commented to the Tallahassee Democrat on dynamics at play between Fisher and Seminole Boosters, Inc. I was aware of friction between Fisher and the Boosters, and Fisher and the athletic department, but for whispers to reach the point of having a clear voice...well that was telling. Thrasher has always championed Fisher, but on Tuesday it sounded like he was showing support for the Boosters.

“This structure has been in place since the Boosters were founded,” Thrasher told the Democrat. “It has served us well, and I don't see any issues that reasonable adults could not work through.”

On Thursday morning, as I write this, I am unsure if a scenario exists in which things are worked out. It would take a total turnaround from Fisher. FSU started vetting Oregon coach Willie Taggart days ago and is prepared to move on with a coaching search once Fisher’s intentions are made public.

And of course there is a game on Saturday. The contest against Louisiana-Monroe will determine whether FSU extends its bowl streak to 36 years and its winning streak to 41 seasons, and all indications are Fisher has wanted to coach in that game. I get wanting to finish what you started, truly, I do. At the same time, I think it’s clear now that it’s probably best for both sides to move on as quickly and as amicably as possible.

So as recruits flee, coaches and players remain waiting for answers and fan angst builds, FSU is in a position to where it must push Fisher to move forward if that’s what he intends to do.

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