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Fisher Turns Down WVU Offer

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By SCOTT CARTER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 24, 2007

TALLAHASSEE - At around 6 p.m. Sunday, Florida State coach Bobby Bowden waited by his home telephone, wanting to know like the rest of Seminole Nation. Was FSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher, the man anointed to someday replace the iconic Bowden, staying at FSU or leaving to become the head coach at West Virginia?

"I'm hearing the same thing you are," Bowden said. "There is nothing to report yet."

About two hours later, Bowden got his answer when Fisher released a statement through the school's sports information department saying he was staying at FSU.

Fisher's announcement capped an uneasy day for FSU officials, especially President T.K. Wetherell, who orchestrated the deal to name Fisher FSU's head coach-in-waiting 13 days earlier. On Saturday, Wetherell tried to squash the speculation Fisher was considering leaving in an e-mail that that said Fisher's "place is FSU, not WVU. In his heart, he is a Seminole."

Fisher and Wetherell had several conversations Sunday about West Virginia's quest to bring Fisher back to his home state to take over the Mountaineers program. West Virginia has been searching for a new head coach since Rich Rodriguez left for Michigan on Dec. 17.

In the end, through his agent, Jimmy Sexton, Fisher said thanks, but no thanks to West Virginia's offer.

"I know media reports are circulating regarding the possibility of West Virginia's head coaching position," Fisher said in his statement. "I am a native of West Virginia and love the state, but I want to make clear that I am staying at Florida State.

"I am committed to this university, this program and these players. I am excited about where I am and where Seminole football is headed."
Wetherell is in Montana on vacation and did not return an e-mail seeking comment Sunday night. FSU is not expected to seek any financial considerations from Fisher, whose contract includes a clause that if Fisher even talks to another school about a job opening he owes FSU a $2.5 million buyout.

As part of his new three-year deal, Fisher got a $200,000 raise to increase his salary to $625,000, making him one of the highest-paid assistant coaches in the country.

Sources say Sexton had been talking to West Virginia officials on Fisher's behalf since Thursday, when West Virginia officials couldn't come to a consensus on whether Florida assistant Doc Holliday or former Auburn coach Terry Bowden was the best choice to replace Rodriguez.

After Fisher's decision, reports surfaced that Bowden was the leading candidate. Ironically, Terry Bowden played a prominent role last winter in Fisher coming to FSU. Fisher was Bowden's quarterbacks coach at Auburn and Samford.

FSU NOTE: Hillsborough High DT Moses McCray, who has verbally committed to play at FSU, deflected speculation he has changed his commitment to LSU after changing his MySpace.com page.

"It's not true," McCray said. "I'm still exploring my options."

Reporter Scott Carter can be reached at (850) 294-3088

or scarter@tampatrib.com.

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