He won't win any "man of the year" awards in Tallahassee, but the more I dig into it, the more villainous Fisher begins to appear to me. He didn't just abandon FSU for a higher-paying job at Texas A&M - he pretty much destroyed the Seminoles football program before he left (not recruiting or developing OL; the number of NFL draft picks falling except in his last year when a bunch of underclassmen declared early; etc.). It makes me wonder if he wanted to make sure he wouldn't have to face FSU in the playoffs over the next few seasons? What are your thoughts - did Fisher sabotage FSU?
Maybe on the way out...but I can't imagine he did anything negative until late in the season last year. Guy wins a Natty and will forever be tainted as a scumbag.
(09-18-2018 10:52 AM)Hokie Mark Wrote: [ -> ]He won't win any "man of the year" awards in Tallahassee, but the more I dig into it, the more villainous Fisher begins to appear to me. He didn't just abandon FSU for a higher-paying job at Texas A&M - he pretty much destroyed the Seminoles football program before he left (not recruiting or developing OL; the number of NFL draft picks falling except in his last year when a bunch of underclassmen declared early; etc.). It makes me wonder if he wanted to make sure he wouldn't have to face FSU in the playoffs over the next few seasons? What are your thoughts - did Fisher sabotage FSU?
Mark there were some stories that indicated Jimbo was having marital problems. He might have been too distracted to give his full attention to the FSU program.
I think it's too much to say that he intentionally sabotaged FSU, lol.
But there were some extremely problematic situations that he let grow over the last several seasons. Problems with discipline, classwork, effort, etc. A woefully underperforming coaching staff that he refused to make changes in. Coaches not speaking to each other (or to Jimbo). Lack of development in several positions, and misses in recruiting.
Why? Stubbornness and ego? Maybe. Distracted thanks to a messy public divorce and a child with a rare congenital disease? Maybe. Personal friction with all around him that made him dig in his heels about anything and everything, and nobody strong enough in the athletic department to force his hand? Maybe.
Probably all three.
He didn't set out to hurt FSU. He was simply a broken man and the last 3-4 years (basically when his marriage fell apart), he stopped doing his job.
The effect was the same, he basically left FSU in ruins.
But he didn't do it like some evil plot. He was/is a world class ******* as Tally knows, but he wasn't intended to destroy FSU, he just happened to do it as his life fell apart....and mental state.
He likely is better off in a new place, but FSU takes the brunt of it while he counts $$$$$.
You Seminole fans are much closer to the situation than I am, so I'll trust you that there was no evil intent... although he couldn't have done much more damage if there was! In my many many years of watching college football, I don't recall a national championship coach leaving a program in worse shape than Jimbo (and TBH, Bowden didn't leave it in such great shape, either).
That said, it seems like Taggart has already identified some key problems and begun trying to rectify them. I think he'll get it fixed in a year or two - we'll see.