Bjork outlines Texas A&M's path forward following ouster of Fisher

In a Sunday evening press conference, Texas A&M Director of Athletics Ross Bjork discussed firing coach Jimbo Fisher, how to pay his enormous contractual buy-out and the plan to hire his replacement.

Bjork and Texas A&M University Interim President Mark Welsh III met with Fisher on Sunday morning to inform him he would no longer be leading the Texas A&M football program.

Mark Robinson, Associate Athletic Director for Football Operations, was also told his employment was terminated effective immediately.

Fisher, who has eight years remaining on a guaranteed 10-year, $95 million contract, will be paid 25 percent of what he’s owed — about $19 million — within 60 days of his termination. He’ll receive about $7 million within 120 days. The remainder will be paid in installments over a period of eight years.

Fisher originally signed a 10-year, $75 million deal in December of 2017. However, in 2020, the Aggies were 9-1, won the Orange Bowl and finished ranked No. 4. Fisher was also in the process of assembling the No. 1 ranked 2022 recruiting class. Also, LSU was reportedly trying to hire him to replace its fired coach, Ed Orgeron.

In reaction, A&M offered a raise to $9.5 million a year and a contract extension.

Bjork stressed the Texas A&M Athletic Department and 12th Man Foundation could cover the costs.

"We will use unrestricted contributions within the 12th Man Foundation for the first one-time payments,” he said. “The athletic department will fund the annual payments for the remaining portion by growing our revenues and adjusting our annual operating budget accordingly.”

Jamie Maury, TexAgs

After a 4-1 start this season, Fisher’s Aggies dropped three of their next four games before taking on Mississippi State.

Though Fisher’s dismissal was not unexpected, the timing was curious because the Aggies defeated Mississippi State 51-10 on Saturday night.

But that win was just a respite in a third consecutive disappointing football season.

The Aggies, who are 6-4 this season, were 45-25 overall and 27-21 in SEC play since Fisher took over the football program in 2018.

“You’re either moving forward, or you’re stuck,” Bjork said. “I use that analogy of driving down a four-lane highway. I drive fast, 75-80. And somebody is in the left lane going 55 and won’t move over. We were that car going 55.”

Co-defensive coordinator/defensive line coach Elijah Robison will serve as interim coach for the remainder of the season.

The Aggies face Abilene Christian next Saturday and close the regular season at LSU on Nov. 25. Robinson will also serve as interim coach in a bowl game.

Though the timing for Fisher’s ouster seemed questionable after a lopsided victory, Bjork pointed out the transfer portal opens on Dec. 4. Additionally, the early National Signing Day is Dec. 20.

Bjork hinted that he would like to name Fisher’s replacement in time for him to be involved in the transfer portal.

However, he also indicated coaches of teams that will be involved in the College Football Playoff could be considered.

Although Bjork said no one game led to the decision to move on from Fisher, A&M’s 38-35 loss to Ole Miss two weeks ago seemed to be a final straw.

Bjork, who previously served as athletic director at Ole Miss, admitted he was especially perplexed after that loss. He sat on his porch later that weekend, asking himself a series of questions:

“Why is this not working?” Bjork said. “What is the problem? What do Aggies think? Do we have any hope? Where do we go?”

The next day, he phoned Welsh to schedule a Monday meeting to plan moves forward. They recommended to Chancellor John Sharp a change was “absolutely necessary.”

On Thursday, Bjork informed the Board of Regents of his decision.

“The assessment that I delivered was that we are not reaching our full potential,” Bjork said. “We are not in the championship conversation. Something is not quite right about our direction and the plan.”

Following the victory over Mississippi State on Saturday night, Bjork told Fisher they needed to meet on Sunday morning at Kyle Field.

“A little before 9 a.m. this morning, President Welsh and I met with coach Fisher and informed him that we were making an immediate change and he would no longer serve as our football coach,” Bjork said.

Bjork said the meeting was “quick and cordial.”

Jamie Maury, TexAgs

Robinson came to Texas A&M in 2018 as a defensive line coach before being promoted to assistant head coach in 2022.

At 11 a.m., Bjork confirmed to the team that Fisher had been fired and that Robinson would assume the head coach position in the interim.

According to sources, the news of Robinson’s elevation to head coach was enthusiastically approved by the players.

“I told players my job to make decisions that are in the best interest of the university and to put them in position to succeed and provide the resources and the leadership to make that happen,” Bjork said.

Bjork’s next task will be working with a football advisory group, as well as former players, to find Fisher’s successor.

“Our search will be comprehensive in nature,” Bjork said. “The timing (of Fisher’s dismissal) does give us a chance to survey the landscape, test the market place and zero in on top candidates. We will be diligent, confidential and also efficient.

“I will use a football advisory group of key people that understand winning football, culture and Texas A&M and what makes this place special.”

Bjork said he had a profile for A&M’s next coach. The qualities of the candidate will include:

• A program identity
• Great interpersonal skills
• Track record of player development
• Commitment to academics
• Is a recruiting machine
• Supreme organizational skills
• Culture of discipline
• Passion for the game
• Proven winner
• Strong leadership skills
• Involved in the community
• Knowledge of Xs and Os
• Understands and can capitalize on today’s college athletics

Of course, the next coach will be paid extremely well. But Bjork seemed to suggest A&M might not be willing to offer a decade-long guaranteed contract.

“We have to learn a lesson,” Bjork said. “The dynamics around that decision in 2021 … that’s an institutional decision, but I take responsibility.

“I didn’t work out… Clearly, it didn’t work out. We’re going to learn from that and make sure we don’t make the same mistakes again.”