| Full Name: | John James Fisher, Jr. |
| Birthday: | October 9, 1965 (age 57) |
| Hometown: | Clarksburg, West Virginia |
| Alma Mater: | Salem College (now Salem University) |
| Wife: | Candi Fisher |
| Sons: | Trey Fisher, Ethan Fisher |
| Current Team: | Texas A&M Aggies (Head Coach) |
Early Life and Playing Career
Jimbo Fisher grew up in Clarksburg, West Virginia with his parents and two older brothers. He played several sports growing up, but was drawn to football and baseball the most. Fisher served as the quarterback for his high school team and even led them to a state championship game appearance in his senior season.
After high school, Fisher attended Salem College where he continued his football career. He set school records in passing yards and touchdowns as the team‘s starting quarterback in 1987. Fisher‘s leadership and grit on the field earned him the nickname "Jimbo" which has stuck with him ever since.
Coaching Ascent and Peculiar Path
Jimbo Fisher got his first coaching job as a graduate assistant at Samford University in 1988. He gradually climbed the college ranks with stops as an assistant coach at Auburn, Cincinnati, LSU and Florida State – learning from legends like Terry Bowden, Tommy Tuberville, Nick Saban and Bobby Bowden along the way.
Unlike most head coaches, Fisher has never been an offensive or defensive coordinator. He made the unusual direct jump from position coach to head coach when he was hired by Florida State in 2010.
Top Assistant Coaches Under Fisher
- Mark Stoops – Defensive Coordinator at Florida State, now Head Coach at Kentucky
- Dameyune Craig – Quarterbacks Coach at Florida State, now Offensive Coordinator at Auburn
- Lawrence Dawsey – Wide Receivers Coach at Florida State, now Co-Offensive Coordinator at Florida
Head Coach Dominance at Florida State
Jimbo Fisher took over as head coach at Florida State in 2010 after serving as offensive coordinator and coach-in-waiting under the retiring Bobby Bowden. Fisher made an immediate impact, leading the Seminoles to a 10-4 record and ACC Atlantic Division title in his first season.
In 2012, Fisher guided Florida State to its first ACC championship since 2005. The following year, everything came together masterfully. Fisher built a juggernaut team led by freshman quarterback Jameis Winston that went 14-0 and blew out Auburn 34-31 in the BCS National Championship game.
Florida State Records Under Fisher
- Total wins: 83 (most in school history)
- Winning percentage: .783 (best in school history)
- Consensus All-Americans: 16
- First round NFL draft picks: 18
- Weeks ranked #1 in AP Poll: 27
Head Coach Rebuild at Texas A&M
Although Fisher found great success at FSU, he shocked Seminoles fans by resigning in December 2017 to become the new head coach at Texas A&M. The Aggies signed him to a record 10-year, $75 million contract.
In his first season in College Station in 2018, Fisher led A&M to a 9-4 record including an upset of #8 LSU. Just two seasons later, Fisher has ignited an impressive turnaround – the Aggies finished 2020 with an 8-1 record and #4 ranking, their highest finish since 1939.
Notables Wins at Texas A&M
- Defeated #8 LSU in 2018 in a 7 overtime thriller
- Upset #4 Florida in 2020, handing the Gators their only loss
- Defeated #13 North Carolina in the 2021 Orange Bowl
Coaching Philosophy and Style
Jimbo Fisher runs an intricate pro-style offense focused on balance and versatility. His meticulous game plans put players in positions to maximize their strengths. Fisher is known as an excellent developer of quarterbacks like Christian Ponder, Jameis Winston, and Kellen Mond.
On defense, he prioritizes speed, toughness, and discipline. Fisher holds his players and staff to high standards, but also supports them like family. His demanding style rubs some the wrong way, but gets results.
According to Fisher:
My job is to coach them hard, push them to a standard of excellence and build men of character.
Personal Life and Interests
Fisher met his wife Candi while both were students at Salem College. They married in 1989 and have two sons, Trey and Ethan. Faith, family, and football are the pillars of Fisher‘s life.
Outside of coaching, he enjoys fishing, golf, and spending time with his sons, who are also involved in sports. Fisher values education highly and works with charities that support dyslexia programs and children‘s hospitals.
Despite his fame, Fisher maintains a relatively private personal life. He has turned down numerous major endorsement deals to keep the focus on coaching.
Lasting Legacy
With 116 career wins and a national championship already to his name, Jimbo Fisher has firmly established himself as one of the top coaches in college football. His ability to consistently recruit elite talent and develop players for the NFL has been unmatched.
Fisher aims to bring Texas A&M its first national title since 1939 now that he has the program back among the elite. Regardless of where the remainder of his career takes him, Fisher‘s impact on the game will be felt for generations through the countless players and coaches he has mentored along the way.