Colleges

FSU secure with Fisher's status

Head coach-in-waiting won't be high-tailing it for West Virginia, school president says.

By BRIAN LANDMAN
Published December 23, 2007

Offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher, left, got a pay raise and secured at least a job offer when Bobby Bowden, right, leaves.
	[AP photo]

Florida State offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher, recently named the team's head coach-in-waiting, isn't interested in bolting despite reports Saturday that West Virginia is interested in him for its coaching vacancy, FSU president T.K. Wetherell said.

"Jimbo told me it was all press talk," Wetherell said in an e-mail to the St. Petersburg Times on Saturday. "He wants to coach at FSU. We want him at FSU. We don't want the $2.5-million from West Virginia."

Fisher, 42, who was born in Clarksburg, W.Va., signed a three-year deal this week that increased his compensation $200,000 to $625,000 and includes a clause that if he isn't offered the head coaching job, FSU owes him $2.5-million, and if he leaves during the term, he owes FSU $2.5-million. The contract says he "shall not seek, solicit, invite, discuss, entertain, interview for, or accept any offer of or opportunities for any coaching position at, or other employment by, an institution, organization other than the (Florida State) University ..." before Jan. 10, 2011.

"With Jimbo, you don't need a contract when you have his word," Wetherell said. "I like him. I trust him."

[Last modified December 22, 2007, 22:30:55]