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, including a BCS National Championship victory in 2014. However, his time at Texas A&M, from 2018 to 2023, did not yield the same level of success, ultimately leading to his departure.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1939: Highest Postseason Ranking

The 2020 season earned Texas A&M 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: Lost Six Consecutive Games

The text mentions that 2022 marked the first time the Aggies had lost six consecutive games since the 1972 season.

1985: Attended Salem College

In 1985, Jimbo Fisher attended Salem College (now Salem University) to play quarterback under head coach Terry Bowden.

1986: Continued at Salem College

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

1987: NCAA Division III National Player of the Year

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

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 Arena Football League

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

1990: Full-time Offensive Coordinator at Samford

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

1995: First Victory Over LSU since 1995

The 2018 season included a victory over LSU, which was the program's first victory over the Tigers since 1995.

1998: Continued at Auburn Until Resignation

In 1998, Jimbo Fisher continued coaching quarterbacks at Auburn University until Tommy Tuberville took over after Terry Bowden's mid-season resignation.

1999: Sweep of Miami and Florida

1999 was the last time the Seminoles swept in-state rivals Miami and Florida until Fisher's first season.

1999: School's third national championship and first since 1999

In 2014, led by Jameis Winston, the Seminoles defeated Auburn in the 2014 BCS National Championship Game, winning the school's third national championship and first 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: Seminoles 10-win season

The 2003 season was mentioned as the last time the Seminoles had a 10-win season until Fisher's first season.

2006: Turned Down Alabama Offer, Joined Florida State

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

December 1, 2009: Bowden's Retirement Announcement

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, where he announced his 2010 coaching staff.

2010: Began Selecting Staff and Recruiting

In 2010, Jimbo Fisher began selecting his staff and recruiting players while preparing the team for its bowl game.

January 2011: Potential Head Coach

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

2011: 9-4 Season

In 2011, Jimbo Fisher led the Seminoles to a 9-4 season, including a sweep of Miami and Florida and a win over Notre Dame in the Champs Sports Bowl.

2011: Son's Diagnosis and Foundation

In 2011, Jimbo Fisher's younger son, Ethan, was diagnosed with Fanconi anemia, which led to the founding of Kidz1stFund to fund research for the disease.

2011: First Time out of the Polls

The text mentions that a close loss to NC State in 2017 knocked them out of the polls for the first time since the middle of the 2011 season.

2012: Won First Conference Title in Seven Years

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

2012: Texas A&M Joined SEC

The text mentions that the 2018 season was the program's best conference finish since joining the conference in 2012.

2013: Crest of Tenure

The 2013 national championship season was the peak of Jimbo Fisher's time at Florida State.

2013: Players Lost Drive After Season

The 2019 Bleacher Report Article mentioned that the players seemed to lose their drive after the 2013 national championship 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, the Seminoles lost 63-20 to Louisville, which was, at the time, the most points the Seminoles had given up in school history.

December 1, 2017: Resignation from Florida State

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

2017: Season Opener Loss & Injuries

In 2017, during the season opener, the Seminoles lost 24-7 to Alabama, and quarterback Deondre Francois tore his patellar tendon. The team finished with their first on-field losing record in ACC play since joining the league.

August 2018: ESPN Interview on A&M Job

During an August 2018 ESPN interview, Jimbo Fisher listed reasons for taking the Texas A&M job, including his connection with the athletic director and the A&M culture.

2018: Original Contract

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 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's first season at Texas A&M, the Aggies achieved a 9-4 record and a second-place finish in the SEC West.

2019: Ranked 12th

In 2019, Jimbo Fisher's Texas A&M team entered the season ranked 12th, but suffered losses to top-10 teams. They defeated Oklahoma State in the 2019 Texas Bowl.

2019: Bleacher Report Article

In 2019, a Bleacher Report article detailed problems with the culture of the FSU program under Fisher, including a lack of drive after the 2013 season and poor Academic Progress Rate scores.

2020: COVID-19 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. The team qualified for the Orange Bowl, where they defeated North Carolina 41-27.

2020: Second Marriage

In the summer of 2020, Jimbo Fisher married his second wife. They currently reside in College Station.

December 1, 2021: Buyout Clause Deadline

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, after a 3-0 start but losing the starting quarterback Haynes King to injury, the Aggies defeated then-No. 1 ranked Alabama at home. Fisher became the first former assistant coach of Nick Saban to defeat him.

2021: Contract Extension

Prior to the 2021 season, the Texas A&M Board of Regents voted to extend Jimbo Fisher's contract through the 2031 season.

January 1, 2022: Annual Salary Increase

Beginning January 1, 2022, Jimbo Fisher would be paid $9 million annually.

2022: Aggies Entered with high expectations

In 2022, the Aggies entered the season with high expectations, ranked #6 in the country. They however lost six of their first nine games, including a shocking upset loss to unranked Appalachian State in the Aggies' second game. The team finished with a 5–7 mark, missing a bowl game, but ending the season on a positive note with an upset 38–23 victory over #5 LSU.