Eight years after taking over for a legend, Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher is leaving Florida State following his worst season as head coach. The University is expected to issue a press release Friday afternoon stating that the 52-year old coach has stepped down from his position.
He will not coach FSU's regular season finale this Saturday versus Louisiana-Monroe. Longtime assistant coach and former Seminole All-American Odell Haggins will be the interim head coach.
Fisher, who led the Seminoles to the 2013 national championship and produced 10-win campaigns in six of his first seven seasons, is leaving FSU to become the next head coach at Texas A&M.
** FSU Head Coaching Hot Board (top candidates to replace Fisher) **
During his eight years as Florida State's head coach, Fisher amassed a 83–23 record that included three conference championships (2012-14) and one national championship (2013). His most remarkable accomplishment is probably his impressive 14-2 record versus in-state rivals Miami and Florida.
This year's team, however, has been his biggest disappointment. After starting the season ranked in the top five, the Seminoles started the year off at 2-5 and head into this weekend with a 5-6 record.
For nearly a month, there had been chatter that Fisher would be the prime candidate for the Texas A&M job, should that position open up. Last Sunday, following the Aggies' 45-21 loss to LSU, Kevin Sumlin was dismissed after six seasons. That opened the door for A&M to make a run at FSU's 52-year old head coach.
Warchant.com has confirmed that Fisher will accept an offer from Texas A&M worth approximately $7.5 million annually for a term of up to 10 years.
Anticipating Fisher's departure, Florida State has already begun the search for its next head coach. Warchant.com has complied a list of leading candidates for the position.
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