Jimbo Fisher 'ready for a return' to college football as coaching carousel nears

Jimbo Fisher is drawing renewed attention in college football circles as the sport's next coaching carousel begins to take shape. According to a report from John Brice of USA Today, multiple coaches and agents around the sport believe Fisher is ready to return to the sideline after spending more than two years away from coaching.

Fisher has not coached since Texas A&M fired him following a 6-4 start to the 2023 season, capping a tenure that never matched the lofty expectations attached to his 10-year, $75 million contract. The Aggies failed to win 10 games in any of his full seasons in College Station, including a 5-7 campaign in 2022. The 2026 season marks Fisher's third consecutive year away from the sideline, the longest break of a coaching career that dates to a graduate assistant role at Samford in 1990.

Despite the absence, Fisher has remained connected to the sport. In addition to analyst work for the ACC Network, Brice reported that Fisher spent time earlier this year with new Memphis head coach Charles Huff and has made other stops around college football. He also reportedly worked to get into consideration for the Auburn opening during the most recent coaching cycle.

Fisher: 'I miss the competition'

Fisher spoke openly about his desire to coach again while working ACC Media Days as an analyst in July, telling The Athletic that several core elements of the job still pull at him.

The relationship with players. The competition. I miss the competition. I miss recruiting. If I can recruit without money, I can recruit with money. I promise you that. But I miss the competition, the gameplanning. That was never work to me. That was fun. It was a grind, but it was fun.

— Jimbo Fisher, speaking to The Athletic in July

Fisher also indicated he would not limit himself to elite programs when asked about the right fit, saying, 'Anyone that would give us a fair chance to win. It doesn't have to be elite-elite. I've coached in different levels, (FCS), Cincinnati, different places. It's just coaching ball.' Reports also indicate that money would not be a primary factor in his decision, with Fisher more focused on finding a situation where he can prove himself again. He brings considerable credentials to any opening, including a national championship at Florida State in 2013 and an 83-23 overall record with the Seminoles from 2010 to 2017.