Jimbo Fisher discusses LSU’s decision not to interview him for coaching job in 2004
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For all the talk about Jimbo Fisher taking over LSU in recent years, he could’ve had a chance to do so more than a decade ago.
Fisher was the Tigers’ offensive coordinator under Nick Saban, who left to take the Miami Dolphins job following the 2004 season. Yet Fisher, who now coaches Texas A&M, wasn’t interviewed for the position, which ultimately went to Oklahoma State’s Les Miles.
The Aggies coach was asked about the situation during Wednesday’s SEC Coaches Teleconference, maintaining that he didn’t feel slighted by LSU despite believing he was ready for the job. It’s a relevant subject as Fisher prepares to lead No. 22 Texas A&M (7-4, 4-3 SEC) against the No. 7 Tigers (9-2, 5-2) at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday in College Station.
You can read Fisher’s thoughts on LSU’s 2004 coaching search — and many other topics — below.
On punter Braden Mann being named a Ray Guy finalist:
- It’s awesome for Braden. He helps us out pinning teams deep and he gets us out of bad field position. He is a true weapon and does a good job on kickoffs. Very well deserving.
On adjusting to the early signing period:
- It does change it. With the spring visits, you can take visits all the way up to June. The intensity of it during the season is ramped up; Signing Day comes immediately after the season. It does give you a chance to get a head start on the next class, although we couldn’t do that last year. I’m not sure if I like it just yet. I’m still deciding on that.
On Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa, does he do anything you haven’t seen this year?
- He doesn’t do anything I haven’t seen. He just anticipates, has hand talent, accuracy. They run good routes for him, and he can hurt you with his legs. He is intuitive. He understands everything he can do.
On the SEC title game and coaches Nick Saban and Kirby Smart:
- It’s the same. It’s all about who executes that day. It won’t be a big deal.
On LB Otaro Alaka, who had concussion-like symptoms vs. UAB:
- He is scheduled to practice today.
How big is it to recruit nationally?
- I think it’s very important .Our state has the best talent, but we have to be able to recruit coast to coast. This is a global world we live in now. Alabama players don’t come just from Alabama, Clemson players don’t just come from Clemson, et cetera. We recruited from all over at Florida State, and we have to do that here.
On LSU’s run game:
- They look like they always do: big, physical, tough backs that make you miss. Typical LSU. They have had as many good backs as anyone in the last 20 years.
On Alabama, are they beatable?
- Everyone is beatable. There is no coach that’s unbeatable, there is no team that’s unbeatable. … That’s what sports is about, who shows up that day. … Yes they are tough, they have great players, but no one is unbeatable.
Do you feel slighted at all that you didn’t get interviewed by LSU in 2004?
- No. They were a top-notch program then and they decided to bring in a guy. He did a heck of a job.
Did you feel you were ready at that time?
- Yeah, I did. I felt good, felt ready. The key was about taking the right job.
Marcus covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
