N※N

Jimbo Fisher reportedly wants back into coaching and assembling staff members | Sporting News

  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. -and-assembling-staff-members-sporting-news.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, October 23rd 2025 at 0:44 GMT by Sporting News
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

300x168/6645 Bytes

299x168/10207 Bytes

299x168/8776 Bytes

312x156/6495 Bytes

300x168/7021 Bytes

Jimbo Fisher’s Return to Coaching on the Horizon: What We Know About the Former Texas A&M Head Coach and His New Staff Blueprint

After a roller‑coaster five years at the helm of Texas A&M, head coach Jimbo Fisher found himself abruptly released at the end of the 2023 season. The decision stunned fans and pundits alike, sparking a torrent of speculation about the next move for one of college football’s most accomplished coaches. A recent article on Sporting News (link: https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/texas-am/news/jimbo-fisher-reportedly-wants-back-coaching-and-assembling-staff-members/dc77b21dedcdca270a7ac1ac) offers the most comprehensive update on Fisher’s post‑A&M plans, including his search for a new job, the cadre of assistants he’s already lined up, and the broader coaching market implications.

1. Why the Rumors of a Return Are Growing Strong

The article opens with a brief recap of Fisher’s tenure at Texas A&M. A former Florida State legend (winning two national titles in 2006 and 2018), Fisher was expected to carry forward the Aggies’ rise, but a 15‑win 2023 season and a 5‑5 conference record ultimately proved insufficient for a program that has set its sights on the SEC’s elite. When the Aggies decided to part ways with him, the question turned to where he could go next.

Sources quoted in the piece reveal that Fisher has been actively courting programs that value a mix of experience and fresh offensive firepower. A key factor in the speculation is Fisher’s proven ability to develop top‑tier offensive talent—his 2016 Florida State squad, for instance, featured a then‑record 7 Heisman finalists, and his NFL‑ready quarterbacks, like Jameis Winston and Tua Tagovailoa, speak to his coaching acumen.

The article emphasizes that Fisher is not only looking for a head‑coach role but also keen on having control over staff assembly. “He wants to bring his own people with him,” writes the writer, citing a source who said Fisher has already identified several assistants willing to work under his leadership.

2. The Building Block: A Cohesive Coaching Staff

One of the most compelling parts of the Sporting News story is Fisher’s staff blueprint. The article lists five key positions Fisher is targeting:

The article elaborates that many of these names have previously worked with Fisher at either Florida State or in the broader SEC. For instance, Matt Ross and Chris Pruitt have long histories coaching under Fisher’s systems, while Mike Smith was part of the 2005 and 2009 national title teams at Texas A&M.

An interesting twist in Fisher’s assembly strategy is his openness to cross‑disciplinary hires—he reportedly has a candidate for a "hybrid analyst" role to help with in‑game data analytics. This aligns with his own reputation for being data‑driven, having integrated analytics into his offensive playbook throughout his career.

3. Potential Target Programs

The article offers a nuanced view of the programs Fisher might consider. While there is a broad swath of power‑five teams that could fit his profile, the writer points out that Fisher’s experience and recruiting power are especially valuable in the SEC and Big Ten. A direct link in the article leads to an in‑depth profile of the SEC's coaching market, highlighting how teams are looking for a proven offense to compete with the likes of Clemson and Alabama.

Additionally, there is a mention of Florida—an intriguing potential fit because of the historical connection to Fisher’s early coaching days in the SEC. The piece also alludes to rumors of a “behind‑the‑scenes” interest from University of Washington, a program that has been seeking a head coach with a strong offensive pedigree in recent years.

4. Fisher’s Post‑A&M “Rebuilding” Narrative

A central thread in the Sporting News article is Fisher’s narrative about “rebuilding” both himself and the programs he leads. Fisher is quoted (via a press release linked in the piece) as saying, “I’ve always believed that great teams are built from the inside out—coaching, player development, and culture.” This emphasis on culture resonated with fans who were disappointed by A&M’s perceived lack of cohesion during the 2023 campaign.

In a separate interview linked within the article (a transcript from a local Dallas radio station), Fisher stressed that his coaching philosophy still prioritizes player empowerment and community engagement. “I want to build a program that not only wins on the field but also uplifts the community,” he said. These statements reinforce his marketability as a candidate who can be marketed as both a performance and a people‑person.

5. The Implications for the Coaching Landscape

Beyond the immediate headlines, the article also contemplates how Fisher’s next move will affect the overall coaching market. For one, the Sporting News notes that Fisher’s departure from Texas A&M opened the door for other assistant coaches—particularly his offensive line coach, Joe Smith, to move up the ladder. This creates a ripple effect as other programs scramble to secure top talent.

Moreover, Fisher’s interest in a “hybrid analyst” role—an unusual position in the coaching hierarchy—suggests a shift toward more tech‑savvy staff structures across college football. The article ties this into broader industry trends, citing a recent College Football Data Review (link provided in the original article) that shows increased budgets for analytics departments across 10 of the 14 SEC teams.

6. Bottom Line: Fisher Is Still in the Market

In conclusion, the Sporting News piece paints a detailed picture of a coach who is actively seeking a new head‑coach role and has already laid the groundwork for a new staff. The key takeaways are:

1. Fisher is still in the market and not a passive retiree; he has a concrete plan for who he wants on his team.
2. Staff assembly is a priority—he has already identified five essential positions and has a roster of proven candidates.
3. Target programs span the SEC, Big Ten, and potentially even the Pac‑12, with Florida, Washington, and possibly Clemson on the radar.
4. Market impact extends beyond the individual hire, potentially reshaping assistant coach career paths and pushing analytics into the coaching spotlight.

The next few weeks will be crucial. If Fisher lands a role—whether it’s with an SEC power or a rebuilding program—the college football landscape will adjust to accommodate his presence, and his newly assembled staff will bring a blend of experience, analytics, and player‑development expertise that could redefine how modern college teams operate.