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Fisher's New Contract Has $2.5M Buyout

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By SCOTT CARTER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 18, 2007

Updated: 12/17/2007 11:23 pm

TALLAHASSEE - Florida State's succession plan is firmly in place, and better yet for the parties involved, the agreement is in writing. But based on the contract FSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher signed to replace Bobby Bowden someday, it's not exactly written in stone.

What's the deal? Well, about $2.5 million cast doubt over whether FSU's head coach-in-waiting agreement with Fisher ever will become a done deal.

According to the contract, which was released Monday, Fisher - make that West Virginia or any other school that might be interested in hiring him - would have to pay $2.5 million to leave FSU for another coaching job. On the flip side of the "reciprocal retention option," if FSU's offense stumbles along the next couple seasons, FSU can pay Fisher $2.5 million and tell him no thanks.

While both parties appear solidly committed to the agreement - "I'm here. I'm at Florida State. That's why we did it. I haven't talked to anyone from West Virginia," Fisher said Monday amid the latest rumors involving him - the buyout clauses leave the door open for both sides, should this not be a marriage made in heaven.

As part of Fisher's reworked three-year deal, he will be paid $625,000 annually - a raise of $200,000 for speaking engagements and fundraising efforts to help build FSU an indoor practice facility. More importantly, for the first time since Bowden arrived at FSU in 1976, a timetable has been placed on his eventual exit. If Fisher remains at FSU and isn't offered the head coaching job by Jan. 9, 2011, FSU must also pay him the $2.5 million buyout.

In the strictest language in the contract, Fisher is not allowed to "seek, solicit, invite, discuss, entertain, interview for, or accept any offer" at another school or a "professional football organization" during the term of his contract. The clause concludes: "During the period between the date of this Amendment and Jan. 10, 2011, Coach Fisher shall make public his intention to remain at the University."

As for Bowden's one-year contract renewal, which runs through Jan. 4, 2009, he is guaranteed $2.2 million from his base salary ($235,000), his radio and television package ($450,000), his public speaking and public relations compensation ($850,000), and additional compensation ($450,000) from Nike and others.

Bowden's biggest incentives are for winning a national title ($250,000) and Atlantic Coast Conference title ($150,000).

Reporter Scott Carter can be

reached at (850) 294-3088

or scarter@tampatrib.com.

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