Jimbo Fisher has been plotting his comeback to college football after being out of the game since his 2023 firing from Texas A&M. His tenure with the Aggies ended with a 45-25 record and a staggering $77.5 million buyout.
But before that, Fisher was on top of the world at Florida State, where he coached for eight seasons, earned an 83-23 record, and won the 2013 national championship with a thrilling 34-31 victory over the Auburn Tigers, led by Heisman winner Jameis Winston.
Could Jimbo Fisher’s Deep Ties Influence a Virginia Tech Coaching Move?
Recently, Danny Kanell appeared on CBS’s “CBS Sports HQ” and discussed national title-winning coaches looking to make a return, with Fisher emerging as a main topic of conversation. “I think there are a couple of spots. Virginia Tech comes to mind. I think that would be a really good fit. Considering his ties in the region, his ties to West Virginia. I think there’s some really good landing spots for him,” Kanell suggested.
The suggestion comes as the Virginia Tech Hokies are in the market for a new leader after firing coach Brent Pry following a 0-3 start to the season. Pry reached a bowl game in 2023, but a mediocre season followed by a disastrous start to 2024 ultimately cost him his job. Offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery is currently serving as the interim head coach. While Montgomery guided the team to two straight wins after Pry’s dismissal, the Hokies have already assembled a search committee to find their next head coach.
“Virginia Tech has never been better positioned to compete at the highest levels of the ACC and nationally. This committee brings star power, experience, and a true passion for Virginia Tech,” athletic director Whit Babcock shared.
Fisher, a West Virginia native, has a history in the region. A year ago, the former Florida State head coach had conversations with West Virginia when its head coaching position opened up. However, that job ultimately went to Rich Rodriguez, leaving the Virginia native still looking for his return. Meanwhile, the Hokies’ season outlook appears bleak. According to PFSN’s playoff meter, the team is projected to miss a bowl game by a wide margin, with predictions of only three more wins and seven losses, including matchups against two ranked teams.
This situation presents a potential opportunity for a coach eager to rebuild a program. Fisher himself sounds ready for the challenge. “When you’re away from something, it makes you reflect. I’m back to watching films and have those feelings. I miss the players and those relationships. I miss practice. I miss the grind. I live to coach. I love to do what I did,” Fisher explained.
The potential cost could make a Fisher hire more palatable for a school like Virginia Tech. “Maybe he will go coach on a discount now that he’s made so much money,” Kanell also suggested. Fisher’s $77.5 million buyout from Texas A&M remains the largest ever paid to a coach in college football history, dwarfing other recent high-profile buyouts.
MORE: Jimbo Fisher’s Teary Florida State Return Turns Ugly as Fans Bring Up Unceremonious Exit
For comparison, Penn State’s recent decision to fire James Franklin cost just under $50 million, the second-highest sum ever, according to USA Today. Even the Florida Gators’ move to part ways with head coach Billy Napier seems less financially burdensome after the team fell to 2-4. With major job openings at places like Penn State and Florida, questions have arisen about whether Fisher could land at another top-tier program. However, his old-school approach might be a sticking point.
“How does Jimbo Fisher adapt to this new era? A national champion in the previous era, but what about now in 2025? We are seeing a lot of coaches have issues as a player-caller right now, people are on Sark about it, it’s one of the reasons Napier got fired at Florida.”
With his 2013 title win, Fisher became the last head coach to call his own plays and win a National Championship. If he were to pursue a job as big as Florida or Penn State, his reluctance to delegate play-calling duties would surely be a major topic of discussion.
As teams continue their searches, Fisher is not the only title-winning coach back on the market. Former LSU championship-winning head coach Ed Orgeron also recently announced that he would re-enter the coaching world, adding another big name to the hiring pool.
