Colleges

'Noles tap LSU's Fisher to run offense, QBs

Florida State coach Bobby Bowden did what he does so well in recruiting, finishing with a flurry and surprising outsiders by landing the guy he wanted most all along.

By BRIAN LANDMAN
Published January 9, 2007

Florida State coach Bobby Bowden did what he does so well in recruiting, finishing with a flurry and surprising outsiders by landing the guy he wanted most all along.

Jimbo Fisher, who had been at LSU in the same capacity since 2000, agreed Monday to take over for Jeff Bowden as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach.

"I'm very happy that Jimbo will be joining our staff and I could not be more excited for the future of our program," Bowden said in a statement. "I've followed Jimbo's career for a long time, and his ability to put in an offense and adjust as the season goes along is second to none. He brings the experience and attitude that I was looking for in a coordinator."

LSU 11-2 was ninth in scoring (33.69 points) and 11th in total offense (417.46 yards). FSU was 45th nationally in scoring (26.54) and 70th in total offense (330.31). The Seminoles (7-6) needed a win in the Emerald Bowl against UCLA to avoid their first losing season since Bowden's first in Tallahassee in 1976.

"I am very excited about the opportunity to come to Florida State University," Fisher said. "I've always had great respect for Florida State and utmost respect for Coach Bowden. The opportunity to coach at Florida State and to grow as a coach under Coach Bowden was one that I could not pass up."

Talks between Fisher, 41, and FSU collapsed late Saturday amid speculation he might want to entertain other opportunities.

Fisher, however, agreed Monday to a three-year deal with a base salary of $215,000, but his total compensation is believed to be in the neighborhood of $400,000, or about what he earned in base pay at LSU.

"As a competitor and a player you always want to get better," junior-to-be quarterback Drew Weatherford said. "He's done a great job of taking quarterbacks and making them better every year. I can't remember a quarterback he's had who hasn't gotten better throughout his career. That's obviously exciting for both me and Xavier (Lee). We both still have two years left, so we'll really have a chance to work with him and let him take us under his wing."

FSU also made the perfunctory announcement that quarterbacks coach Daryl Dickey will not have his contract renewed.

Brian Landman can be reached at landman@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3347.

[Last modified January 8, 2007, 23:43:54]