Jimbo Fisher feels the best he has about the trajectory of Texas A&M's football program, and he's ready for the story to become what the Aggies do on the field
Fisher said that they can start stacking a lot of the right guys in the program. There are still many challenges this year. We have to show it. It's time to stop and play. Don't pay attention to what people say. You don't have to worry about what happened between me and Nick.
We feel good about where we are.
A year after missing out on the College Football Playoff, the Texas A&M football team was 8-4 last year. Despite an up-and-down season a year ago, Fisher became the first of Alabama's former assistants to beat him when Texas A&M upset the top ranked team. Texas A&M's top-ranked recruiting class included eight of the top 30 prospects in the country.
Texas A&M "bought every player" in its signing class, according to Alabama coach Nick Saban. He referred to him as a "narcissist". He said that reporters should look into the practices of the coach. He apologized for singling out anyone but said his issue was any school that was using NIL as a recruiting incentive.
Fisher talked about his spat with the Alabama coach during a sit down with the sports network. Fisher said that he had never had a problem with Saban before, and that he was no longer angry about it.
Fisher said that people don't know that we never talked a lot. We've spoken on the phone five times since I arrived. It's fine if he calls me about something or needs a favor. I would still help if that was the case.
The rivalries and recruiting battles in the SEC are so intense that Fisher joked that none of the coaches are what you would call phone pals.
Fisher said that he and Nick wouldn't be able to call each other. It has nothing to do with liking or dislike. I don't know what I'm going to say if I called him. What's going on? The same guys are being recruited.
Fisher took offense to any suggestion that Texas A&M finished with such a talented class only because it was skirting NIL rules, and he also objected to the use of the word "bought."
"All of a sudden it's bad because we got a top class?" "I said that." Don't look away." The year before I was at LSU, we had the No. 1 class and were 5-5. At other places, it has happened. In Nick's first year, Alabama went 6-7. I don't understand why that is different to us. It's one thing when someone shoots at you. It is different if it is not true. Stand your ground if I know I'm correct.
It's what's wrong with the world right now. We don't compromise enough.
The Texas A&M program, Fisher's players and their families, and the use of the word "bought" were all insulted by the comments made by the Alabama coach.
Fisher said they knew what it meant. You move on, it's what it is. Everybody in this business knows what that means and that's what triggered me.
The two men talked briefly at the SEC spring meetings in Florida but haven't spoken since. Fisher does not know if they will sit down and talk more in depth in the future. We are probably too busy doing what we do right now.
Fisher said at the time that he didn't respond to the call, and that he was done with it.
Fisher wasn't sure if their relationship could survive. We won't know until we see it. The last time we talked at the meetings was when he said his thing. In this business, I never say never. We are not around each other except in a business setting.
They will be on opposite sides of the field when Texas A&M plays Alabama in October.
Fisher said that it wouldn't be personal when they played Alabama. The players and the team are the focus. Whether it's my brother or my best friend, it's never personal to me. I'm going to do the same thing.
Fisher said, "Hey, you say what you say." I return to the way I was raised. You stand your ground when someone says something that isn't true. The consequences are what happen when something goes wrong.
"Nick and I ain't got time to call each other. It doesn't have anything to do with like or dislike. I mean, what am I going to say if I call him -- 'Our recruiting is going well. How is yours going?' Hell, we're recruiting the same damn guys." Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher
Several people in and around college football, particularly football coaches, were in contact with Fisher after he took a shot at Alabama's head coach.
Fisher said that he heard from a lot of people, but wouldn't say what they said.
Several of his players came to him and thanked him for keeping the program going.
"That's what type of coach he is," said Texas A&M junior running backDevon Achane. He's always going to be there for you and we know that. As players, the least we can do is go harder for him because he will always stand up for us. A lot of the chemistry on this team is due to the coach.
Fisher thinks the win over Alabama last season was a factor in Texas A&M's recruiting success, but he thinks the team's 9-1 record in 2000 was even better. Fisher thinks that team was the best in the country.
The win over Alabama shows what we can do. It sends a message, but you have to finish the season. We still have to learn how to deal with success, failure, and keep going. It shows that we are capable of winning those games.
Winning key recruiting battles is the first part of the process.
Fisher said that they were right where they expected to be. We had to convince people that we could win a title here. People see that I won at Florida State. The players in the state did not know. Guys are interested in coming here. They would rather stay in the state.
The freshman class has made a difference in the way the team practices.
Competition eliminates complacency. "I said that." You should not take a day off because you will lose your job.
Fisher has been on LSU's wish list a couple of times in recent years. He received a lot of interest after Ed Orgeron's ousting. Brian Kelly was the person who got the job.
Fisher grinned when he was asked how close he was to LSU.
Fisher has been overwhelmed by the financial support at Texas A&M. I was going to stay.
In the last few months, they've received checks from donors of $25 million, 15 million, 15 million, $7.5 million and $2 million earmarked for football, all of which were donated by individuals. The renovations will include a 160-yard indoor practice facility, two giant virtual walk-through rooms, and an MRI machine at Kyle Field.
Fisher said they had everything they needed. We have some things we have to get done here and I think we can get them done.
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