Fisher turns down massive raise to stay at fsu

Fisher turns down massive raise to stay at FSU

Football is generally a big topic of conversation on Thanksgiving.

Conversation and meal times revolve around the games in millions of households. And, this year, the NFL games served up around turkey time were worth the conversation. Division rivals in both afternoon matchups, including an always interesting grudge match between Dallas and DC.

But the real football story, especially in the south, revolved not around the pros, but around the “big rumor” in college ball. FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher had been offered the biggest open job in recent college memory — top guy at LSU. Considered one of the top jobs in the country — along with Ohio State, Southern Cal, Alabama, Michigan, Florida, and Notre Dame — LSU is a dream for just about anyone who makes their living as a head ball coach. And LSU was prepared to be VERY enticing for Fisher, who has done very well so far for the Seminoles. The offer was reported to be about $6.8 million annually. Not a bad chunk of change, and about $1.6 million more than he made this year at Florida State. A high-profile salary for one of the toughest gigs in football.

Like Alabama, LSU is expected to compete not only for the SEC title but also for the National Title each year. If the Tigers aren’t in the conversation, the coach is on the hot seat. Ten wins aren’t enough. Just ask Les Miles. He was Coach of the Year in the SEC and the AP in 2011, but the last few seasons stained that legacy, so he was out in 2015. Ed Orgeron was named interim coach after Miles was fired, and now, as of November, he’s the official head football coach.

But if Fisher had taken the job, that would have been the sports story that dominated December … but it’s not to be. Fisher will stay in the job he was handpicked and mentored to lead.

For years, Fisher turned down other head coaching opportunities, playing understudy to FSU’s legendary head coach, Bobby Bowden. Fisher remained faithful, and the opportunities never quite stopped coming. Then, when Bowden finally decided to retire, he made the least shocking announcement in the history of college football. Jimbo Fisher was the future of FSU.

So, Fisher stepped into massive shoes. He has yet to deliver the sort of domination FSU fans expect, but he has managed to beat Miami — constantly — and earn a relatively impressive record in the ACC. The Seminoles job is Fisher’s to lose, whereas the LSU job would never not be a hot seat. Even if he won a National Title, the expectations would only increase.

At FSU, the expectations are high, but the patience and the margin for error are much longer and wider. Add that to the feeling of family and history Fisher enjoys with the ‘Noles and that’ worth millions … apparently.

Phil Shawe is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of TransPerfect.