Despite playing some of the best defense in college football this season, it wasn't enough for Texas A&M in Saturday's game against Tennessee, an eighth-straight loss on the road for head coach Jimbo Fisher during his tenure with the Aggies.
Moreover, the Ags are 0-8 against ranked SEC teams on the road under Fisher, who once again is the subject of ire from the A&M fan base after another painful loss. As a result, the school's financial relationship with the coach is, again, a topic of discussion.
Insiders have reported that some decision makers inside Texas A&M will "find the money" if they have to. Could such an expensive decision be made?
What would A&M owe Fisher if it decided to move on from Fisher during or after the 2023 college football season? Here's what you need to know.
How long is it? 10 years
How much is it? $94.95 million, and every dollar of it is guaranteed
A&M originally lured Fisher away from Florida State, where we won a national championship, signing the coach to the 10-year contract which, at the time, was worth $75 million.
After a solid-enough start, which included nearly making the College Football Playoff during the Covid-19 season in 2020, the school gave him a raise: a fully-guaranteed contract extension worth the $94.95 million figure.
In total, that keeps Fisher with the school through the 2031 season.
Unless it's willing to pay him to leave.
If he's fired in or after 2023: $76.8 million
2024: $67.55 million
2025: $58.2 million
2026: 48.75 million
2027: $39.2 million
2028: $29.55 million
2029: $19.8 million
2030: $9.95 million
2018: Aggies went 9-4 overall and 5-3 in SEC play, ranked No. 16, won the Gator Bowl
2019: 8-5 overall, 4-4 in SEC, won the Texas Bowl
2020: 9-1 overall, 8-1 in SEC, ranked No. 4, won the Orange Bowl
2021: 8-4 overall, 4-4 in SEC, selected to play in Gator Bowl but declined over Covid-19 issues, ranked No. 25 in Coaches Poll
2022: 5-7 overall, 2-6 in SEC, 6th in West Division
2023 (through Oct. 14): 4-3 overall, 2-2 in SEC, 4th in West
More college football from SI: Top 25 Rankings | Schedule | Teams
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