Man of his word: Fisher backing up bold proclamations he made when hired

Take Jimbo Fisher at his word.

He’s given no reason to doubt him. In fact, as some following examples will show he speaks the truth.

Therefore, expect receivers coach Dameyune Craig and Fisher’s nephew, Cole Fisher, to face consequences for their part in the postgame incident following the Aggies 74-72 overtime victory over LSU on Saturday.

In a statement released on Monday by the Texas A&M Sports Information Department coach Fisher said in part:

“I, along with Texas A&M administration, LSU and the SEC office, have been examining video of the incident as well as statements from relevant parties. I want to assure everyone that the matter has been addressed internally with my staff members, and we will continue to demand that our program conduct itself in a manner that meets the values and expectations of this great university.”

Obviously, we don’t know what Fisher said to Craig or his nephew. But the conversation should have gone like this:

“I’ve called both of you to my office to discuss the incident in which you were involved. There must be ramifications for your actions.”

Matt Sachs, TexAgs

Kendrick Rogers grabbed three touchdowns in A&M’s win over LSU. 

“Dameyune … the receivers have improved so much this season that I planned to give you a $100,000 pay increase. Now, I am forced to change that. Instead, you will only receive a raise of $99,999 … and 99 cents.”

“Cole … if anything like this ever happens again you will be … expected to punch John Battle.”

Of course, that’s just speculation on how Fisher might have been true to his word. Since his arrival at A&M there have been several concrete examples of his truthful statements.

Here are some:

Quote: “We’ll get the right guy.”

— Fisher on Dec. 28, 2017, regarding defensive coordinator search

Fisher hired Mike Elko away from Notre Dame. Under Elko’s supervision A&M’s defense has improved from 2017 in scoring defense, rushing defense, total defense, opponents third-down conversions and opponents Red Zone scoring. Last year the Aggies allowed 170.8 rushing yards per game to rank 71st in the country. This season they’re allowing 92.0 to rank third.

Quote: “The new crop of guys (2019 and beyond) are seeing our vision, and it's selling very well, and we have to go get these guys and be in the top 5 classes moving forward.”

— Fisher on Feb. 7, 2018

Currently, Texas A&M’s 2019 recruiting class is ranked second in the nation by 24/7sports.com and by ESPN. Only Alabama’s class is ranked higher. And though it’s way, way, way early … A&M’s 2020 class is ranked seventh by 24/7sports.

Quote: “Those tight ends may not have 80 or 90 catches, but they’re going to have 30, 40, 50 catches.”

— Fisher on March 20, 2018

Junior tight end Jace Sternberger has 47 catches for 804 yards. His 10 touchdown catches equal the total amount of receptions for all A&M tight ends combined last season. A probable All-American, Sternberger has the nation’s second-most catches by a tight end, highest average per catch and most touchdowns.

Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports

Sternberger has 47 catches for 804 yards and ten touchdowns this season. 

Quote: “We’re getting more physical as we go. We’re going to keep developing that every day.”

— Fisher on March 26

“We are soft, but I’m going to change that.”

— Fisher as reportedly told to Booger McFarland

The Aggies developed into one of the most physical teams in the SEC. They lead the SEC in rushing defense. Trayveon Williams leads the SEC in rushing. That doesn’t happen with a team that relies on finesse.

Quote: “You tell your kids to go play every play hard, give everything you’ve got and you’re going to let the clock run out? That ain’t what competitors do. That ain’t what Texas A&M is going to do. Texas A&M is going to play until the horn blows. That’s the way you teach it. That’s the way you coach it. That’s the way you are.”

Fisher explaining why he called late time outs against Alabama on Sept. 22, 2018

The Aggies later demonstrated that diligent mentality in an overtime victory over Kentucky, a dominant fourth quarter in a win over Ole Miss and especially in a seven-overtime victory over LSU.

Quote: “He’ll battle back and be ready to play this week. He’ll get back to his basics and play a great game. That’s just the way it is. That’s what great players and great competitors do.”

— Fisher on Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald after he struggled in a loss to LSU.

Fisher was more correct than he wanted to be on this one. Fitzgerald bounced back from a disastrous 4-interception debacle against LSU to throw 241 yards and 2 touchdowns and run for another score in dealing the Aggies a 28-13 loss.

Quote: “One thousand percent.”

— Fisher asked if he still supported quarterback Kellen Mond after he struggled in the fourth quarter of a loss to Auburn. 

The next week Mond recovered after losing a fumble and throwing an interception in the third quarter. He responding by throwing two touchdown passes in second half touchdown passes in a 38-24 win over Ole Miss.

Mond followed that up with two touchdown passes in a 41-20 win over UAB. Then, he had six touchdown passes and ran for another in the win over LSU.

That was 10 touchdown passes and no turnovers in  9 1/2 quarters and seven overtime periods after the third quarter miscues against Ole Miss.

Quote: “It ain’t gonna be like it used to be.”

— Fisher, often.

The Aggies posted their first win over LSU in seven years and finished 3-1 in November — their first winning November in six years.

Fisher was just speaking the truth.