FORT LAUDERDALE – Jimbo Fisher’s new eight-year contract was released to the media earlier this month, but Florida State’s head coach and the Seminoles’ administration are still working through financial details that he believes will keep FSU among the nation’s elite programs for years to come.
After speaking during the final pre-Orange Bowl press conference Thursday morning, Fisher confirmed to Warchant.com that he is in talks with FSU Athletics Director Stan Wilcox and university President John Thrasher about other improvements to staffing and facilities.
Fisher did not offer specifics of the improvements as they are still being finalized.
“The details of it, we’re going through right now,” Fisher said. “And I can’t be more thankful that they understand some of the things we’re trying to get to.”
Although Fisher has said previously that he wants FSU to build a new and larger academic center for student-athletes, his current wish list seems to focus more on staffing and infrastructure.
“Having the resources behind the scenes and people to develop your things and film breakdowns and issues and recruiting and development of watching players,” Fisher said. “I can give you a list of about 70 things that matter, and it's critical. That's one of the things, if you want to be in the elite groups, you've got to do those things. There is no doubt.”
Fisher, who signed his new contract after reportedly being courted by LSU, said his requests to the administration shouldn’t be seen as wants, but needs. He said it’s up to the university if it wants to keep pace with programs like Alabama and Ohio State, which have invested heavily in their support staff structure in recent years.
“I’m not spoiled. But if we’re gonna do it, I know how things are being done,” he said. “I know the way things are done, and we have to do it if we’re going to stay at that level. …
“If we’re going to play at the elite, elite levels, you have to do that. You have to have the resources and the people behind you to do the things you need to do. We’ve got a lot of the things we want. There’s still things we’re going to have to get to. But it was a huge commitment in a lot of the things we wanted to do, and we’re going to get there.”
Fisher said the additional financial commitment is essential when programs are looking for every possible advancement in terms of recruiting, training and developing athletes.
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“The others schools are doing it, and we're into that, we're trying to get into that mold, too,” he said. “We're getting there. We're getting much closer in a lot of ways, and very proud of the things we've done. We've got a ton of things in place, and I think it's one of the most critical things there is in all of sports that people don't have an idea about.”
Fisher then was asked if those improvements were covered during his contract talks.
“Without a doubt. Without a doubt,” he said. “Yes. Yes, and I will hold them do it. You can bank on it.”
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