Colleges

Fisher trying to tune out rumors

By BRIAN LANDMAN, Times Staff Writer
Published November 22, 2007

Offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher, right, says he's "flattered" when he's linked to other schools but happy where he is.
	[AP photo]

TALLAHASSEE - Florida State offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher insists he doesn't know how to "turn the Internet on" but nonetheless realizes rumors churn about him as coaches retire or are fired.

Like at LSU, where current coach Les Miles may be a leading candidate to return to his alma mater, Michigan, and replace the retiring Lloyd Carr. Fisher was on the Tigers staff from 2000-06.

Like at Auburn, where coach Tommy Tuberville, treated shabbily by the administration in the past remember the flirtation with Bobby Petrino, could head west to Texas A&M if Dennis Franchione leaves. Fisher was on Auburn's staff from 1993-98.

"You are flattered that people talk about you and say things, but we have a lot of work to do here," Fisher said, quickly adding that he's "tickled to be" where he is now.

Conventional wisdom suggests that if FSU wins as it did in the 1990s, Fisher, with no head coaching experience, could be the heir to Bobby Bowden, a coach he never dreamed he would be working for.

But how long would he be willing to wait for the chance to take over at FSU? Would he turn down the hefty raise (he makes about $425,000 annually) and a chance at a program such as LSU or Auburn, programs where he enjoyed success and still has friends?

"They are both great programs," he said. "To be a head coach at either one of them is a great honor. They are an elite level of a job. There are not that many of those types of jobs out there, in my opinion. ... The dream job is the job you have. I never thought 20 years ago I would be sitting at this job. This is a dream job, too."

Bowden said he expects his top assistants' names to come up for promotions. If not, something's wrong.

"Every coach I have," he said, "I would hope he would want to be a head coach."

ISSUING A CHALLENGE: Oft-injured tailback Antone Smith is averaging a disappointing 3.8 yards a carry. Perhaps that's why the coaches are not too subtly challenging him. Bowden has referenced, for instance, how a great back such as Emmitt Smith played through pain during his career.

"That was a little jab," Bowden admitted.

Then there's this one from offensive line coach Rick Trickett, when asked Tuesday about the progress of his linemen:

"Last week, the tailback got in there and really made some nice cuts and made some nice reads. He's really fast, kind of what I've been used to (at West Virginia) back there at tailback. He's a slasher. He reminds me a lot of (Steve) Slaton sticking that thing in there."

That back was receiver Preston Parker, pressed into the tailback role for the first time since youth football because Smith, Jamaal Edwards and Russell Ball were unavailable. Parker ran for 133 yards and a touchdown and Fisher said he will split time about equally with Smith on Saturday against Florida. Smith (left shoulder bruise) has declined comment.

JUST IMAGINE: Now that we've seen Parker catch the ball, throw it and run with it at tailback and as a punt returner, you can't help but think about where else he could help out. He was a defensive back in high school. Hmmm.

"He's special," said defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews, who envisioned him in the secondary "before he came here."

So, what about that, Jimbo?

"Maybe the best hit of the year was when he hit that guy from Duke," Fisher said.

"That's the way he was in high school," Andrews chimed in. "He'd just splatter folks."

PROTECTING THE BALL: Quarterback Drew Weatherford has thrown one interception in 233 attempts this season. No quarterback in the Top 100 in the NCAA in passing efficiency can match that ratio.

DID YOU KNOW?: Though everyone acknowledges The Swamp is one of the toughest places for a visiting team, the Seminoles are 5-5 there in their past 10 trips.

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

[Last modified November 21, 2007, 21:16:09]