As soon as the rumblings started with the job security of Ed Orgeron, eyes immediately looked to the west. More specifically to College Station and former LSU assistant Jimbo Fisher.
Of course, there is history with Fisher and LSU, he was the offensive coordinator for the national championship team under Nick Saban. He also has ties with current athletic director Scott Woodward, who brought him to Texas A&M from Florida State.
It is quite simple to connect the dots here. Given the huge extension that Fisher just received, is it still possible for it to transpire? There is no buyout clause with the Aggies, but Texas A&M certainly has the backing to money whip any deal that LSU and Woodward bring to the table. Fox Sports analyst and The Athletic insider Bruce Feldman still believes that Fisher is in play.
“From what I’m hearing from people around LSU is that Scott Woodward is not giving up easily. And he feels like he may be able to pull Jimbo Fisher again even though the A&M people are like ‘no, that’s not happening.’ So we’ll see how that plays out.” via On3 Sports
Fisher has already refuted any rumors. “I love it here,” Fisher said. “I plan on being here and fulfilling my contract. I love everything about this place. I love being at A&M.” Put that down as a nondenial denial.
Feldman also mentions Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker, a name we have hit on repeatedly. Seems pretty clear that Woodward and the administration are looking at coaches with ties to Alabama’s Nick Saban. That could eliminate several candidates if that is indeed the case. Or it could just be a case of coincidence.
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If the decision-makers at LSU are looking for a tie-in with Saban, don’t forget to look to the Pacific Northwest with Mario Cristobal from Orgeron. He knows the SEC, has ties to Saban, and he is an elite recruiter. As the month of November moves on, we should get a clearer picture of who is actually in play.
My gut tells me it won’t be Fisher, but it is a wait-and-see scenario at this point.