Jimbo Fisher: Defeated before arriving at Texas A&M

Comparisons are frequently made between current Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher and previous head coach, Kevin Sumlin. However, contrary to what many may think, Fisher’s downfall didn’t begin at Texas A&M, it began at Florida State.

After compiling 10 win seasons in 6 of his first 7years in Tallahassee as head coach of the Florida State Seminoles, Fisher went 5-6 in his final season in Tallahassee, exiting a day before the teams final home game of that year.

What was one of the main differences in Fisher’s final season compared to the previous with the team? He had to play Alabama. Not only did he have to play them, but he played them in the opening game of the season. The Seminoles would fall to the Tide in that game, 24-7, looking overmatched throughout.

Jimbo Fisher: Defeated before arriving at Texas A&M

While most of Fisher’s tenure with the Seminoles was a positive one with numerous 10 win seasons, Fisher has yet to repeat that feat at Texas A&M. And the same constant has remained – Fisher has had to play Saban every year he’s been with the Aggies. During his time with the Aggies and Seminoles combined, Fisher is 1-6 against Saban.

The numbers and history don’t lie either that the majority of coaches at power five conferences outside of the SEC that have played a Nick Saban led Alabama team have faltered at those schools after. And for Fisher, many forget that he played Saban during that last season with the Seminoles before he even made it to College Station. So the argument can be made that Fisher was already “defeated.”

Click here to read more on how Fisher, Florida State and other non-SEC power five teams compare, and why the loss against Saban in 2017 while at Florida State was the beginning of Fisher’s downfall because of Saban, and not his time with the Aggies.