Florida State Head Coach Jimbo Fisher took the time yesterday to speak with Big County Preps. Here is the full story.
It’s hard to be normal when your handsomely rewarded, yet tirelessly and endlessly prepared work is critiqued by hundreds of screaming fanatics that believe they pay your salary on a weekly basis. It’s also pretty difficult (at least I’d imagine it to be) to take the time to answer some questions concisely and thoroughly after conducting approximately 1 bazillion interviews during the course of spring practice.
Then again, you don’t know Jimbo Fisher if you think ANY of these things are difficult. There are no signs of this man slowing down as the ‘Noles blast full steam ahead like Chief Osceola and Renegade galloping towards the middle of the field off the strength of a top-ranked recruiting class and what is certain to be a Top 5 preseason ranking in the fall. The leader of Seminole Nation spoke about the intricacies of modern-era recruiting, leadership, and most importantly about Tampa Bay’s wealth of talent, which Fisher feels is as good as anywhere in the country.
If you are lucky enough to track down and speak with Jimbo Fisher for a few minutes (as BCP was yesterday afternoon), you would be hard-pressed in believing that last season was only his first “official” season as Head Coach of the Florida State Seminoles. Fisher hit the ground running seeing the ‘Noles through to their first 10-win season in quite some time. He and his staff (most notably former FSU Wide Receiver 1990 All-America Lawrence Dawsey) were able to get two of the area’s biggest recruits (literally & figuratively) in James Wilder (Plant) for 2011 and Dante Fowler (Lakewood) who is a 2012 Commitment.
It’s not a coincidence either that FSU has re-emphasized that the Tampa Bay Area is now a major priority for their program. “It is [by design] because that area is such a great area. Great athletes, football players, and great coaches. More importantly, it’s in our home state and were always gonna work our home state first.” Fisher was candid in his acknowledgement that Tampa and the surrounding area had fallen off the radar in Tallahassee.
“This area in years past has been very good to Florida State. I think it went away for a little while, but it’s started to make it’s way back and big time.” In the State of Florida, people tend to gravitate towards South Florida and the Metro Dade and Broward Counties for talent. FSU was no different in plucking Devonta Freeman from 6A Champions Central HS, as well as WR Rashard Greene from 5A Champs Saint Thomas Aquinas. However Fisher thinks they don’t need to necessarily head that far south initially in order to find what they’re looking for; “It’s one of the most fertile areas in the country, we talk about South Florida a lot, but that Tampa area is tremendous.”
With all of the success whether it be on the field or the recruiting trail comes responsibility; which Fisher conveys through his philosophy in recruiting. Although the Head Coach wears too many hats to count, it’s still the principal function of that coach to get the most out of his players. Often times, this variable isn’t contained in a playbook. “It’s important to evaluate the kids and understand the role they [coaches] play especially from a role model standpoint and the effect they can have on youngsters.”
Part of that equation is the emphasis on, you guessed it. Education. It’s not just a cliche to Fisher. He agrees that although the combine measures are the glamor and glitter, it’s the G.P.A. and your entrance exam performances that that is ultimately the star of the show. It’s a philosophy that is also designed to be carried on beyond the college experience. “We try to teach them that it’s [education/being eligible] going to effect the quality of your life, and in a major way. When they [student-athletes] begin to understand that and can see the bigger picture and think long-term is when we’ve succeeded as coaches and mentors.”
I asked Coach Fisher what his thoughts were concerning the concept behind Buccaneer University, a unique program and something that was just discussed here on the site that fits in perfectly with this philosophy, to which he responded: “I think it’s super. Because no matter what people may say, all the kids see themselves as playing in the NFL. There’s nothing wrong with that but…you’ve got people such as Coach Morris and others that are professionals and have been through the fire sharing that experience is phenomenal. You’ve got to have things set up beyond ball. I think it’s wonderful.”
The modern-era has forced Fisher to tweak some of the approaches on the recruiting side of things though, and in all honesty, something that is beyond just a sports thing. It’s a sign of the times that Social Media such as Twitter, Facebook, and other outlets like blogs have completely changed the landscape of how people interact with one another. So much so that it’s no longer an air of denial, but acceptance. “It [Social Media] has changed a lot of things. Man you’ve got to address it though. You can’t sit there with your head buried in the sand about it.”
Coach was also kind enough to settle a dispute about the most important position on the field on either side of the ball. Obviously Fisher went with the position he was a D-III All-American at Samford University in 1987. When asked, he simply answered, “Quarterback.” After a few moments of awkward silence he further explained that, “Once you learn your responsibilities, you’ve then got to learn the other ten positions around you.” (Clarification: I did get him to name the center position as the 2nd toughest.)
It’s quite apparent that the Seminoles are in good hands with Jimbo. It’s impossible to be another Coach Bowden, but it’s just as apparent that Fisher doesn’t have the slightest desire to be Bowden. Although that Win-Loss thing would be nice. And the bowl streak. Well, you get the point. So does he. Sleep tight past, present, and future Seminoles of Tampa Bay and beyond. There’s plenty of reason to be excited about the Garnet & Gold and it’s much more than just the pigskin.