Colleges

Fisher: 'I am staying at FSU'

Offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher, rejecting reported overtures from West Virginia late Sunday, is apparently content to be FSU's head coach in waiting.

By BRIAN LANDMAN, Times Staff Writer
Published December 24, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT Jimbo Fisher, 42, would have to pay $2.5-million if he left Florida State.

Offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher apparently is content to be Florida State's head coach in waiting.

He rejected reported overtures from West Virginia late Sunday, ending a restless holiday weekend for Seminole fans whose program already absorbed a major blow this week - 36 players (25 scholarship, 11 walk-ons) have been left off the travel roster for the Music City Bowl for various reasons, undoubtedly including an academic misconduct scandal involving dozens of student-athletes in numerous sports.

"I know media reports are circulating regarding the possibility of West Virginia's head coaching position," he said in a statement without acknowledging he was being courted. "I am a native of West Virginia and love the state, but I want to make clear that I am staying at Florida State. I am committed to this university, this program and these players. I am excited about where I am and where Seminole football is headed."

Fisher, 42, who less than two weeks ago signed a new three-year deal that designated him as Bobby Bowden's heir (he would receive $2.5-million if he wasn't offered the job and would have to pay $2.5-million if he left), had emerged as the Mountaineers' top choice over his former coach and boss, Terry Bowden, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Sunday.

As late as early evening Sunday, other outlets were reporting a deal was nearly done.

Talks between Fisher and West Virginia apparently were through intermediaries to skirt the clause in Fisher's deal that 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.

FSU president T.K. Wetherell told the Tallahassee Democrat that he can't control agents, but that the deal he brokered was supposed to keep Fisher off the job market.

Fisher did not return a call from the Times. Wetherell, who reportedly spoke several times to Fisher on Sunday, didn't respond to e-mails from the Times.

[Last modified December 23, 2007, 21:52:47]