Story Poster
Introductory Presser
Fisher Media Room
Scott Woodward
Michael Young
Texas A&M Football

WATCH: Jimbo Fisher introduced as Texas A&M head coach

December 4, 2017
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The following are live, paraphrased notes from Jimbo Fisher's introductory press conference. Videos of the interviews will be added to the story after they are rendered.

Will Johnson

• Howdy, and welcome to Kyle Field and Hall of Champions. It's a great day to look forward to A&M's football future. Many great coaches have walked the Kyle Field sidelines. We wish the best of luck to the 2017 Aggies as they go up against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the Belk Bowl.

Jimbo Fisher comes to us after a very successful run in Tallahassee. He's been to the College Football Playoff twice and won the national championship in 2013.

President Michael Young

• I want to start today by thanking coach Kevin Sumlin. He built this program in ways that allow us to take it to the next level. Today is an exciting day. We accepted an opportunity to play in the Belk Bowl yesterday. We're ready to play in the Sugar or Rose Bowl next year.

We have a chancellor whose mantra for this university is always excellence. In academics and athletics, he pushed those boundaries. The board of regents has been supportive of this move, and we want to thank the board for everything they've done for us. Our terrific athletic director had a key hand in all of this. I'd like to thank him for all of his hard work.

Athletic director Scott Woodward

• What lured me to Texas A&M was the opportunity for greatness. I stand next to proof of that. I first met Jimbo in 2000. I admire his infectious approach to the young men in his charge. I was also taken to how he interacted with his son. His bond with his son was on display everywhere. He ended up ascending to the highest level of the game in the following years. I want you to welcome the Fisher family.

Jimbo's accomplishments speak for themselves. He's one of four active coaches with a national title. He has four top-ten finishes and has five bowl game wins. He was the DIII national player of the year and was named national coach of the year in 2013. That is success.

He is the right coach at the right time for Texas A&M, and I think the time for greatness is just around the corner. I want to recognize the board of regents, chancellor Sharp, president Young and the administrative staff for their hard work.

Please welcome head coach Jimbo Fisher to the Aggie family.

Head coach Jimbo Fisher

• Howdy! It's truly a great honor and privilege to stand in front of you today. I've admired Texas A&M from afar. This is without a doubt, this is one of the best sports venues in the world. The people here are overwhelming. The support and the way we've been treated is remarkable. I'd like to thank everyone at Florida State, especially coach Bobby Bowden. The administrators over there allowed me to live the dream and be very successful. I'll always be thankful for the way you treated our family.

I want to say thanks to Scott Woodward. We worked at LSU together. There's a oneness to everything you do in college sports. You can have the best coaches, but if you don't have the support from the administration, you can't accomplish anything. I'd like to thank everyone on stage with me for giving me this great opportunity.

I understand that we are the front porch of the university. We are not the university, but we are the face and front porch of it. We want to represent it well.

We want to grow, develop and do the things that represent our university and the student-athletes. It's about the people more than anything.

We want to make a comprehensive plan for success for our student athletes. That starts with education. Next is as a person. If you start with that, everything else falls into place. I want to start with accountability and dependability. Those are two of the most important qualities you can have. Third, I want to develop kids as athletes. If we don't have good people who are educated and driven, we won't go anywhere. I want to set that standard in the way they compete, the way they play and the way they represent the university. I have learned a lot in a day and a half. I thought I had researched this place, but I wasn't close. We want to be tremendous ambassadors for the school. On the recruiting trail, I want to be able to point prospects toward our current players to answer their questions.

This creates culture. It's the most important thing any university can have. Being here, I don't have to tell y'all that. People said this place was different. You hear that everywhere you go, but I feel it. I see it. I want our players' actions to speak so loud I can't hear what they're saying.

We're built on four principles: toughness, effort, discipline and pride. If you're mentally and physically tough, we call that grit. Most successful people have it. It takes effort to be a good person, student and player. It takes discipline to pull those things off too. Sometimes pride has to drive you. On those long days, there has to be a pride in what you do. We want to bring people to Texas A&M that exemplify these qualities. We have to have a oneness, but we also have to be great individually. There's an "I" in win. We want to have a comprehensive program to develop these men to be the best they can be.

I understand I come here with great expectations, but your expectations will never be greater than mine. Good enough is never good enough. We'll strive for excellence and perfection every day, knowing full well we'll never reach it. We'll drive for it every day.

I've coached in this league and understand this league. I understand everything that goes with it. That's the challenge that I like. That's the challenge of the SEC. We have all the ingredients. What attracted me to Texas A&M? First it was Scott Woodward and his vision for this place. I look forward to accepting that challenge and being a proud part of this university.

I understand the six core values of Texas A&M. Our players and staff will respect these. We want to grow and live in our vision. If you can't see it, you'll never achieve it. We want to increase the things that help that vision and take Texas A&M where it should be: to the top of the college football world. I am thankful to be here and excited to be your coach.


 

 Q&A Session

Fisher: I never had any intention of leaving Florida State. After Scott contacted me, I researched Texas A&M. After doing that and seeing the vision, the people and the resources, the ability to work with Scott like we did at LSU was a no-brainer. I had no plans on leaving. I love Florida State. This was an opportunity and challenge I couldn't pass up.

It's extremely critical to hit the recruiting trail. At the end of the day, recruiting is the lifeline of the organization. You need the physical challenge and the ability to compete. We're getting into that process extremely quickly.

I don't know if I have to win a national championship, but that's our goal. Everything we do will be pointed in that direction.

We have to build a foundation with the current players. I'll meet them this afternoon in a team meeting. The other coaches will coach the bowl, but I definitely want to embrace the players and get to know them as quickly as possible.

I want to put a staff together as soon as possible. We want to have something in place so everyone understands who will be here.

I haven't gotten to evaluate the talent that is here extensively. I have watched a couple of games but haven't spent much time on that yet.

The players and coaches are the lifeline of the organization. Knowing high school coaches means a lot, maybe more in Texas than anywhere. I'm looking forward to get to know them better. It'll be key. Our door will always be open to them.

Scott contacted my representation in that last week before our last game. That was the first contact.

We want guys that have recruited the state for our assistant coaching positions, but more importantly, we want guys that can coach and develop our players.

I understand the league. When I was at LSU, we changed the culture over there. You live in vision, and I see how things can go. I think that culture change was one of the greatest things we did at LSU. Everyone had one vision and one goal. I will try to go forward with that here. Having that oneness is the most important thing.

I'm not a very patient guy. It's not about the outcome; it's about the process. If you have the right process, the results will come. It's going to be about the process. As soon as we get that in place, we'll be able to get and sustain the results that we want.

I want to be the oldest head coach and stay for a while. I think this is a destination place. Our family is adjusting right now.

Thank y'all. I look forward to being here.


 

Fisher Video Media Session in Kyle Field Media Center

Where I was, we were in the same footprint as the SEC, so I'm very familiar with how football works in that area.

[With the players], we have to build trust and understand a shared vision, and live in that vision.

My relationship with Scott was a big part of coming here. That's for sure.

Regarding QB talent: at the end of the day, that guy touches the ball on every play. And the team has to respect and follow him as a leader. That is going to be a key component, because in today's world, the quarterback is a huge key. 

Until you coach a guy and know how he plays, what he sees, it's hard to really evaluate him. They've had success here, and there's some excellent players here. So I'm anxious to see them and get started. 

Well if you go look at the teams I've been able to coach, I'm the most defensive offensive-minded coach in the world. You have to play great defense. We run very defensive-oriented practice. All three phases of the game matter. I don't care if you're a starter or what, be prepared to play where we need you. The best eleven guys will be on the field at all times.

We have to organize the process of how we're going to meet the expectations, then focus on the process to get to those expecations. It's a comprehensive plan. Everything that will affect these young men is involved. 

Scott and I have always kept in touch. We built up a friendship and a bond and always touched base with each other. When we met at LSU, we were all in a whirlwind. It was a long time ago. I'd never been anywhere that the Chancellor understood the vision and everyone worked together. Nick [Saban] had his plan of how we wanted to do things, and the Chancellor was interested. Scott was part of all of that. The administration there was invested in the kids and everyone pulling the same direction. 

I'm not even thinking of that [playing Texas again]. My goal is to put us at the top of the SEC and win national championships. That's for the Chancellor and those folks to figure out.   ...and if it benefits us, yes. If it doesn't benefit us, no.

At A&M, you have tremendous committment at all the levels you need that to reach your potential. They asked me if I'd be interested in leading that charge. I love challenges. That's why we're in this business, to be competitors. To be able to work with the team of people here...it was an opportunity I couldn't turn down.

Fisher Writers' Media Session in Kyle Field Media Center

It was extremely difficult to leave Florida State. Not because of anything about Texas A&M, but it's about family and everything else. Do you want your family in this environment? I think this place's personality is very similar to us as a family. It was tough because moving is tough. When you actually have to do it, there were too many things that we couldn't turn down.

My relationship with Scott Woodward was huge. The trust was there. He had the same vision. Your coach can have a vision, but if the coach doesn't have that same vision, you can't get there. You have to have everything from the administration to be elite. Scott believes that. A&M believes that. I knew the message I was getting from him was true.

If it benefits Texas A&M, you do things. If not, you don't. (Playing Texas) will be up to everyone and whether it benefits Texas A&M.

My expectations are to have the No. 1 program in college football. We need to have things in place so we don't worry about the results. It's about the process.

When you walk into this place, the first thing you say is, "Wow." The commitment to the student-athletes and the people that are here – you can see it. From all the ways you can affect the players, that's what draws you here.

I think a national championship is an attainable goal in the near future. If I didn't, I wouldn't be here. It's a challenge due to who you play and the conference you're in, but if you're afraid of that, you're in the wrong profession.

I grew up around the Bowden family. My admiration for the Florida State is tremendous. I think they'll be very successful in the future.

You have to learn from your past, but you can't live in the past. We're going to take the things that have been successful and adapt them here.

I'm always searching for that challenge that keeps me going. You want the people behind you to be as committed as you are. I think they are. I never was dissatisfied with Florida State. I was very happy there. It's a great place and great university. I don't ever deal with things until the end.

I hope my impact is good on the recruiting trail. We'll have to sell our vision on what we can be and what they can become. It's about developing them in their own lives. The faster we can get out there and do that, the better. I'm looking forward to getting on the trail tomorrow and meeting all the high school coaches.

It's been a very stressful week. These decisions don't just effect me. You want to make the right decision for your children and loved ones.

It's about A&M's commitment to excellence for student athletes and the opportunity to be great.

I played with Nick Saban every day at LSU. Now I only have to do it once per year. I had to perform there. Competition makes you better. I made him better, and he made me better. I think this as good a league as there is, but the ACC is too. You can see that in the rankings. Parity across the country is becoming crazy. There are many teams that can win a national championship.

I haven't had the chance to talk to Kevin Sumlin, and I'm not sure if I will.

My record this year shows you how fine the line is between being successful and not getting the right breaks at the right time.

I study everybody. You learn from everything. You can learn from everyone and everything in your life. If you think your way is the perfect way, it'll bite you.

I think every coaching situation has its own circumstances. I don't think there's a blanket statement there.

My relationship with the FSU administration is great.

People have inquired about jobs for me before. I researched what there was here, and my sons are very excited about it. Of course, they leave friends behind, but change is going to happen in your life. You have to make changes for the right reasons.

Scott Woodward and I kept in touch all the time. One of the great things we did at LSU was change the vision and understand how it aligned. After that, it was easy to get things done. Scott was interested in the student athletes and their development. It wasn't just about helping them. He knew the kids and you saw that commitment. It was about their development. Administrators like that are few and far between. We shared that commitment. When he called me, I saw him do it. That's what attracted me to working with him again.

I love the media interaction to get the messages out. I love recruiting and the interaction. Sometimes we agree to disagree, but that's the world we live in. You're doing your job. It's your ability to give information and my ability to not give it. We all have a job to do. If it's in the best interest of the kids, I'm all for it.

We know Clemson quite well. We've had success, and they have had success. We've had our back-and-forth games. Dabo is one of the great coaches in college football, and Nick Saban is too. But first we have to install our process.

The players being at my press conference was great. That's what I would do as a player. To me, that shows commitment. We're interested in being great. There's a process there, and I have to trust them to do what they need to do. I'm here for their development as a person, as a player, as a student. We have a lot of work to do to achieve greatness. We have to have a vision for what we want to see. What you do daily is your habit. Our habits make us who we are.

I won't be involved at the Belk Bowl. I'll just watch and observe. I haven't gotten to evaluate the current roster.

We have to teach, and they have to learn. The players have to create those habits daily and not vary from it. We have to develop discipline and accountability for them. Every great team has its own language. That's because you live it every day and believe it.

I'm a tobacco chewer, and I wear my boots. I shoot my gun and throw my fishing rod. I grew up on horses.

Discussion from...

Live Notes: Jimbo Fisher introduced as Texas A&M head coach

25,205 Views | 11 Replies | Last: 7 yr ago by jml2621
itsyourboypookie
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Is there a Fb live?
technoviking
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AG
This is a real coach. Gig em!
CrazyDayDuck
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MAMGA

Make A&M Great Again

S.A. Aggie
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AG
technoviking said:

This is a real coach. Gig em!
This!
BanderaAg956
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Thank you Sir
Mr. Black
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Gig 'em, Jimbo!
Lungblood
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Quote:

I'm a tobacco chewer, and I wear my boots. I shoot my gun and throw my fishing rod. I grew up on horses.
Danged ol' Jimbo, man.
p-wonk01
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AG
Said all the right things. Now time to get to work!

One negative thing...can we get a microphone for the podium and not like they are about to sit down and sing us a set
StickTogetherAgs
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We love you Jimbo
SmithAg18
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AG
"In Jimbo we trust"
jml2621
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Process

Accountability

Dependability




There's no doubt, particularly with the Q&A and Scott Woodward was in control of the process, sold and got the support of the BOR, Sharp, etc. Jimbo exudes a tough physicality in philosophy, and that's the way our team will look until Jimbo retires in 20 years or so.

Strap yourself in.
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