TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- While Jimbo Fisher's new office is being renovated at Florida State and isn't quite ready, the new Seminoles' football coach is already at full speed as he prepares for his first day on the job Tuesday.
It's the first time Florida State has a new football coach since Gerald Ford's presidency.
With paint fumes still noticeable in the football offices Monday, the 44-year-old Fisher was working on the final hires for his new staff. The school has scheduled a news conference Wednesday to formally introduce him.
Fisher replaces Bobby Bowden, who retired after Florida State's victory over West Virginia in the Gator Bowl on New Year's Day.
Armed with a $9 million, 5-year contract that takes effect Tuesday, Fisher has been given a free hand redesigning the Seminoles' coaching alignment. He replaced five assistants and the strength coach.
``We've got a great staff working,'' said Fisher, who came to Florida State three years ago after a stint as LSU's offensive coordinator. ``Now we've got to get everybody on the same page.''
A 10-year-old elementary school student in West Virginia when Bowden arrived at Florida State, Fisher largely rejuvenated the Seminole offense as offensive coordinator. Now he will need a quick turnaround on the defensive side to make a run at the Atlantic Coast Conference championship in his first season.
``I look forward to the challenge,'' Fisher said following Florida State's 33-21 win over West Virginia. ``This is a young football team. This is a team that's learning how to win and be good and has a chance to be real good.''
The Seminoles were just a tad better than average the last few years under Bowden, finishing 7-6 in three of the past four seasons.
Fisher will begin next season with the players he's recruited and an offense he's designed that produced an average of 30 points and 421 yards a game.
His recruiting is also going well, aided a bit by the confusion surrounding Florida coach Urban Meyer's future.
Fisher understands that many of his coaching decisions will draw comparisons to his iconic predecessor.
``I told Jimbo, 'Jimbo you're going to get so tired of hearing my name,''' Bowden said. ``But that's the way it goes. That's the way it was when I followed Jim Carlen at West Virginia.''
Bowden doesn't plan to be around once the season starts, which can't come quick enough for Fisher.
After a warmup against lower-divison Samford (Ala.), the Seminoles play at Oklahoma on Sept. 11.
``Like I tell players, you've got the opportunity to get in the game and play,'' Fisher said. ``Now let's see what you got.''
Monday
June 9th, 2025
1:11AM
