'I love being here': Jimbo Fisher emphatically quells LSU rumor

Texas A&M football coach Jimbo Fisher often says he isn’t done yet.

But as far as pursuing new coaching jobs, Fisher made it clear he is indeed done.

National media has speculated Fisher, 56,  could be coaxed by former Texas A&M and current LSU athletic director Scott Woodward to replace lame-duck Tigers coach Ed Orgeron.

Fisher served as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator at LSU from 2000-2006.

At this weekly press conference on Monday, Fisher emphatically stated that he intended to honor his 10-year, $90 million contract with A&M.

He cited relationships with A&M Chancellor John Sharp, President Katherine Banks, athletic director Ross Bjork, A&M fans and donors to his Kidz1st foundation.

“I love being here,” Fisher said. “This is the job I wanted. I’ve got a great contract, an unbelievable chancellor, an unbelievable president and an unbelievable AD.

“We’re recruiting great players. I really believe we’re in the process of building something great. I plan on being here and fulfilling this contract. My family has roots here. I’ve got ranches here. I hunt here. I love everything about this place.”

Not long after TexAgs tweeted Fisher’s comments, the coach’s wife, Courtney, retweeted: And for the record, I love it here, too!

Aggies have loved Fisher since he came to Texas A&M from Florida State in 2017. He’s 31-12 in 3 1/2 seasons as the Aggies’ coach.

Last season, he led A&M to a 9-1 record and No. 4 finish — their highest national ranking since 1939. Two weeks ago, he guided the Aggies to a 41-38 victory over then-No. 1 Alabama.

In celebration of that win, hundreds of Aggies donated $41.38 to Fisher’s foundation, which funds research for Fanconi Anemia, a rare blood disease that has stricken Fisher’s youngest son, Ethan.

“The things that are going on with our foundation, the way people have embraced it, the way people have done everything here in College Station,” Fisher said. “I love everything about the people here, the administration here and everybody in charge here, and the people who run this organization. And I love it here.

Jasen Vinlove/USA Today Sports

After leading the Aggies to their first Orange Bowl Championship in program history, Fisher proudly proclaimed that Texas A&M “ain’t done yet.”

“I don’t know how else I can say it.”

National media speculated Fisher would be willing to leave A&M if LSU offered a more lucrative deal. Media cited his friendship with Woodward and the perception that it’s easier to win championships at LSU.

LSU’s last three coaches — Nick Saban, Les Miles and Orgeron — have won national titles with the Tigers. Of course, Miles and Orgeron, who will be replaced at the end of this season, have also been fired.

Fisher reiterated rumors that he would leave for LSU are unfounded.

“There’s nothing going on there,” he said. “There’s nothing happening there. I coached there. It was a great place. We won national championships. It’s a wonderful place.

“I love being at A&M, and I plan on being at A&M and fulfilling my whole contract. I love everything about this place.”

In December of 2017, Woodward hired Fisher to replace Kevin Sumlin. Fisher won the 2013 national championship at Florida State, but Woodward lured him away with a 10-year, $75 million guaranteed deal.

But Woodward departed A&M for LSU in April of 2019. Even then, it was speculated Woodward would pursue Fisher if and when he needed a new coach.

LSU is 9-8 under Orgeron since winning the 2019 National Championship. However, Orgeron has also been involved in several controversial issues, including charges had he ignored accusations of sexual misconduct involving his players.

Perhaps sensing that Orgeron’s job might be in jeopardy, the Texas A&M Board of Regents in August agreed to raise Fisher’s annual compensation to $9 million and extend his contract through 2031.

Still, college coaches have been known to deny interest in a job while having an agent negotiate with a university.

Fisher said he would accept a call from Woodward but not to discuss a new job.

“Scott has called me ever since he left as a friend,” Fisher said. “He’ll text me after a game. We won last year. We won the bowl game.

“I am at A&M. That’s the end of it.”

Notes

• Receiver Hezekiah Jones will undergo surgery and will not play this season.

• Fisher said receiver Caleb Chapman, who hasn’t played since the second week of this season, has returned to practice. Fisher also said tackle Kenyon Green is “fine.” Green sustained an apparent minor injury in a 35-14 victory over Missouri last Saturday. Defensive tackle Jayden Peevy, who did not play against Missouri, is expected to be back in action this week against South Carolina.