History of Jimbo Fisher in Timeline

Jimbo Fisher is an American college football coach known for his tenures at Florida State and Texas A&M. He achieved significant success at Florida State, culminating in a BCS National Championship in 2014. He then moved to Texas A&M in 2018 under a large contract but was ultimately fired in 2023 after failing to meet expectations despite substantial investment in the program.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1939: Highest Postseason Ranking Since 1939

During the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, the Aggies received the No. 4 ranking in the AP Poll, the highest postseason ranking for the Aggies since the 1939 season.

October 9, 1965: Jimbo Fisher's Birth

On October 9, 1965, John James "Jimbo" Fisher Jr. was born.

Others born on this day/year

1972: Six Consecutive Losses Since 1972

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

1985: Played Quarterback at Salem College

In 1985, Jimbo Fisher played quarterback under head coach Terry Bowden at Salem College.

1986: Continued Playing Quarterback at Salem College

In 1986, Jimbo Fisher continued playing quarterback at Salem College under Terry Bowden.

1987: NCAA Division III National Player of the Year

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

1988: Graduate Assistant Coach at Samford

In 1988, Jimbo Fisher began his coaching career as a graduate assistant coach at Samford, 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: Continued as Graduate Assistant Coach at Samford

From 1988 to 1990, Jimbo Fisher served as a graduate assistant coach, continuing to work with quarterbacks at Samford.

1995: First Victory Over Tigers Since 1995

In 2018, the program secured their first victory over the LSU Tigers since 1995.

1998: Continued at Auburn Until Tuberville Took Over

In 1998, Jimbo Fisher continued coaching quarterbacks at Auburn until Tommy Tuberville became head coach after Terry Bowden's resignation.

1999: National Championship since 1999

In 2014, the Seminoles, won the school's first National Championship since 1999

1999: Swept In-State Rivals

In his first season, Jimbo 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: Led Seminoles to first 10-win season since 2003

Jimbo Fisher led the Seminoles to their first 10-win season since 2003 in his first season.

2006: Turned Down Alabama Offer to Coach at Florida State

In 2006, Jimbo Fisher turned down an offer to join Nick Saban's coaching staff at the University of Alabama, opting to become offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Florida State University.

December 1, 2009: Bowden Announced Retirement

On December 1, 2009, Bobby Bowden announced that he would retire from coaching after the Seminoles' Gator Bowl matchup.

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.

2010: Fisher Prepared Team as Bowden Assistant

In 2010, Jimbo Fisher prepared the team for its bowl game as a Bowden assistant.

January 2011: University Promise

By January 2011, the university promised to pay Jimbo Fisher $5 million if he was not made head coach.

2011: Knocked Out of the Polls

A close loss to NC State a week later knocked them out of the polls for the first time since the middle of the 2011 season.

2011: Son Diagnosed with Fanconi Anemia

In 2011, Jimbo Fisher's younger son, Ethan, was diagnosed with Fanconi anemia.

2011: Followed up with 9-4 season

Jimbo Fisher followed up his first season with a 9-4 season in 2011, including another sweep of Miami and Florida and a win over Notre Dame in the Champs Sports Bowl.

2012: Won First Conference Title in Seven Years

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

2012: Program's best conference finish since 2012

In his first season at A&M (2018), Fisher coached the Aggies to the program's best conference finish since joining the conference in 2012.

2013: Players seemed to lose their drive

According to former assistants, the players seemed to lose their drive after the 2013 national championship season.

2013: Undefeated Season

In 2013, the Seminoles, led by quarterback Jameis Winston, rolled through the season undefeated.

2014: BCS National Championship victory

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

2016: Loss to Louisville

In 2016, the team suffered a 63–20 loss to Louisville, at the time the most points the Seminoles had given up in school history.

December 1, 2017: Resigned from FSU

On December 1, 2017, Jimbo Fisher resigned as the head coach at Florida State University to accept the same job at Texas A&M University.

2017: Quarterback Injury and Losing Record

In 2017, during the season opener, quarterback Deondre Francois tore his patellar tendon, and the team finished with its first on-field losing record in ACC play since joining the league.

August 2018: ESPN Interview

During an August 2018 ESPN interview, Jimbo Fisher discussed his reasons for taking the Texas A&M job.

2018: Original Contract Terms

As was part of the original contract signed in 2018, if Jimbo chooses to leave Texas A&M for another coaching position, he will not owe any money to the school.

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 and a second-place finish in the SEC West.

2019: Bleacher Report Article

In 2019, a Bleacher Report article detailed problems with the culture of the FSU program under Jimbo Fisher, revealing the worst Academic Progress Rate score of any Power Five program.

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2019: 2019 Season and Texas Bowl Victory

Jimbo Fisher's 2019 Aggies team entered the season ranked 12th but suffered losses to top-10 teams. They received an invitation to the 2019 Texas Bowl, where they defeated Oklahoma State 24–21.

2020: COVID-19 Shortened Season

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

2020: Married Second Wife

In the summer of 2020, Jimbo Fisher married his second wife after meeting her during his coaching days at FSU.

December 1, 2021: Largest Buyout Clause

Before December 1, 2021, Jimbo Fisher had a $95.6 million buyout clause, the largest in college football history.

2021: Defeated Alabama but Opted Out of Gator Bowl

In 2021, after a 3-0 start with losses, the Aggies defeated then-No. 1 ranked Alabama, making Fisher the first former assistant coach of Nick Saban to defeat him. The team opted out of the Gator Bowl due to COVID-19 issues and finished 8-4.

January 1, 2022: New Contract Terms Take Effect

Beginning January 1, 2022, Jimbo Fisher's extended contract paid him $9 million annually.

2022: Six Game Losing Streak

In 2022, the Aggies lost six of their first nine games and suffered through a six-game losing streak, finishing with a 5-7 record and missing a bowl game.