History of Jimbo Fisher in Timeline

Jimbo Fisher is an American college football coach. He is notable for leading Florida State to a BCS National Championship in 2014. Fisher coached at Texas A&M from 2018 until 2023. His tenure at Texas A&M did not yield similar championship success despite significant financial investment in the program.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1939: Highest Postseason Ranking Since 1939

In 2020, Jimbo Fisher led the Aggies to their highest postseason ranking since the 1939 season.

October 9, 1965: Jimbo Fisher Born

On October 9, 1965, John James "Jimbo" Fisher Jr. was born. He is an American college football coach.

Others born on this day/year

1972: Longest Losing Streak Since 1972

2022 marked the first time the Aggies had lost six consecutive games since the 1972 season.

1985: Attended Clemson University

In 1985, Jimbo Fisher initially attended Clemson University to play baseball.

1986: Played at Salem College

From 1985 to 1986, Jimbo Fisher played quarterback at Salem College (now Salem University) under head coach Terry Bowden.

1987: NCAA Division III National Player of the Year

In 1987, Jimbo Fisher was named the NCAA Division III National Player of the Year as a senior at Samford University.

1988: Rejoined Terry Bowden at Samford as Graduate Assistant

In 1988, Jimbo Fisher began his coaching career, rejoining Terry Bowden at Samford as a graduate assistant coach working with quarterbacks.

1988: Played in the Arena Football League

In 1988, Jimbo Fisher played a season in the Arena Football League for the Chicago Bruisers.

1990: Full-time Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach at Samford

In 1990, Jimbo Fisher was hired as the full-time offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Samford after serving as a graduate assistant.

1995: First Victory Over LSU since 1995

In 2018, the Aggies had their first victory over LSU since 1995.

1998: Terry Bowden's Resignation at Auburn

In 1998, Tommy Tuberville took over as head coach at Auburn University following Terry Bowden's mid-season resignation, marking a transition in Jimbo Fisher's coaching environment.

1999: First National Championship since 1999

In 2014, Jimbo Fisher won the first national championship since 1999.

1999: Sweep of In-State Rivals

In his first season, Fisher's team swept in-state rivals Miami and Florida for the first time since 1999.

2000: Joined LSU Coaching Staff

In 2000, Jimbo Fisher joined Nick Saban's staff at LSU as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator.

2003: First 10-Win Season Since 2003

In his first season, Fisher led the Seminoles to their first 10-win season since 2003.

2006: Interviewed for Head Coaching Position at UAB

After the 2006 season, Jimbo Fisher interviewed for the head coaching position at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), but the contract offer was vetoed.

December 1, 2009: Bowden Announced Retirement

On December 1, 2009, Bobby Bowden announced his retirement from coaching after the Gator Bowl matchup on New Year's Day 2010.

January 7, 2010: Official Introduction as Head Coach

On January 7, 2010, Jimbo Fisher's official introduction as head coach took place at a Florida State University press conference, where he announced his 2010 coaching staff.

2010: Bowden's Retirement Game

In 2010, Jimbo Fisher prepared the Seminoles for the Gator Bowl as Bowden's assistant before becoming the head coach.

January 2011: Head Coach Consideration Deadline

The University promised to pay $5 million to Jimbo Fisher if he was not made head coach by January 2011.

2011: 9-4 Season

In 2011, Jimbo Fisher led the Seminoles to a 9-4 season.

2011: Son's Diagnosis and Kidz1stFund

In 2011, Jimbo Fisher's younger son, Ethan, was diagnosed with Fanconi anemia, which led Jimbo and Candi Fisher to found Kidz1stFund.

2011: Knocked out of the polls

In 2017, after a loss to NC State a week later the team was knocked out of the polls for the first time since the middle of the 2011 season.

2012: Conference Title and Major Bowl Appearance

In 2012, Jimbo Fisher led the Seminoles to their first conference title in seven years and appeared in a major bowl, defeating Northern Illinois in the Orange Bowl.

2012: Best Conference Finish Since 2012

In his first season at A&M (2018), Jimbo Fisher coached the Aggies to a second-place finish in the SEC West, which was the program's best conference finish since joining the conference in 2012.

2013: Decline after the 2013 National Championship

A 2019 Bleacher Report article detailed problems with the culture of the FSU program under Jimbo Fisher, including a decline in player drive after the 2013 national championship.

2013: Undefeated Season

In 2013, the Seminoles, led by quarterback Jameis Winston, had an undefeated season.

2014: BCS National Championship Victory

In 2014, Jimbo Fisher led Florida State to a BCS National Championship victory.

2016: Loss to Louisville

In 2016, Florida State lost to Louisville 63-20, at the time, the most points the Seminoles had given up in school history.

December 1, 2017: Resigned from Florida State

On December 1, 2017, Jimbo Fisher resigned as the head coach at Florida State University.

2017: Deondre Francois' Injury

In the 2017 season opener, quarterback Deondre Francois tore the patellar tendon in his left knee during a 24-7 loss to Alabama, marking the beginning of the end for Fisher's tenure.

August 2018: ESPN Interview

During an August 2018 ESPN interview, Jimbo Fisher discussed his decision to take the Texas A&M job.

2018: Head Football Coach at Texas A&M

In 2018, Jimbo Fisher became the head football coach at Texas A&M.

2018: First Season at A&M

In 2018, Jimbo Fisher coached the Aggies to a 9-4 record in his first season at A&M.

2018: Original Contract Signed

In 2018, Jimbo Fisher signed his original contract with Texas A&M.

2019: Bleacher Report Article Details Problems

A 2019 Bleacher Report article detailed problems with the culture of the FSU program under Jimbo Fisher, including a decline in player drive after the 2013 national championship and a poor Academic Progress Rate score.

2019: 2019 Season with Losses to Top-Ranked Teams

In 2019, Fisher's Aggies team suffered losses to top-10 ranked teams including Clemson, Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, and LSU. The Aggies then defeated Oklahoma State in the 2019 Texas Bowl 24-21.

2020: COVID-19 Shortened Season

During the COVID-19-shortened conference-only 2020 season, Jimbo Fisher led the Aggies to a 9-1 record and a No. 4 ranking in the AP Poll.

2020: Second Marriage

In the summer of 2020, Jimbo Fisher married his second wife, whom he met during his coaching days at FSU. They reside in College Station.

December 1, 2021: Buyout Clause Before December 1, 2021

Prior to the 2021 season, if Jimbo Fisher was to be fired without cause before December 1, 2021, he would have been owed $95.6 million.

2021: Defeated Alabama

In 2021, the Aggies defeated then-No. 1 ranked Alabama at home. Fisher became the first former assistant coach of Nick Saban to defeat him, shattering Saban's then-perfect 24-0 record.

January 1, 2022: Contract Extension

Beginning January 1, 2022, Jimbo Fisher was to be paid $9 million annually as part of his contract extension.

2022: Upsets and Losing Streak

In 2022, the Aggies lost six of their first nine games, including a shocking upset loss to Appalachian State. They suffered through a six-game losing streak during the season.

November 12, 2023: Fired as Head Coach

On November 12, 2023, Jimbo Fisher was fired as head coach of Texas A&M. His contract was bought out for $77.5 million, the largest buyout in college football history.