MORGANTOWN, West Virginia — Former Texas A&M head coach and West Virginia native Jimbo Fisher is now available after he was fired over the weekend. Fisher, 58, was given an enormous contract buyout, which will pay him approximately $77 million. According to the contract, Fisher is due $19 million within 60 days, and then will make $7.27 million a year until 2031.
With him owed so much money over the next several years, Fisher will not have to work again in his life if he doesn’t want to. However, Fisher has expressed interest in working for West Virginia University in the past and has said that “home is home” when asked if he would ever return to coach the Mountaineers.
“You don’t ever say never in this business,” Fisher said last year while he was still the head coach at Texas A&M. “Home is home. I love West Virginia and it’s very near and dear to my heart. I love them and have always rooted for them my whole life. You never say never in this business where it takes you. I’m happy where I’m at and I love where I’m at, but home is home.”
According to College Football Network, Fisher will have a lot of options if does in fact decide to keep coaching football. According to an article published two days ago, Fisher could end up in one of the following situations if he desires to coach still:
Alabama Crimson Tide
Nick Saban and Fisher have had a tumultuous relationship, but they are both West Virginia natives, and Saban has been known to give coaches who were recently fired second chances. Fisher as the offensive coordinator at Alabama makes a lot of sense if he no longer wants to the stress and responsibility of running a program.
LSU Tigers
Fisher is mentioned as potentially taking an analyst role for a year under Brian Kelly. This seems like an unlikely option but Fisher’s experience would certainly be welcomed in Baton Rouge.
Auburn Tigers
Again, Fisher and Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze have a history, and Auburn’s offense has really struggled this season in Freeze’s first year with the program. Fisher could be brought in to revamp the offensive attack.
West Virginia Mountaineers
The most likely scenario for Fisher if the position is available, a return home to finish his career coaching his hometown team makes the most sense for Fisher moving forward if he still wants to coach. According to the article, “It’s been a while since Fisher resided in the friendly confines of his home state, but if any place beckons to return home, it’s West Virginia. Fisher could sing ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads,’ in a year or two if the Neal Brown era continues to head toward its culmination. A head coaching gig back in his home state, Fisher could steer clear of his nemesis: the SEC.”
