Jimbo Fisher could be attempting to make a comeback at Florida State

Jimbo Fisher. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

Jimbo Fisher could be attempting to make a comeback at Florida State

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Nov 10, 2026 10:02 PM ET

Jimbo Fisher knows what it takes to be successful in Tallahassee.

College football has changed a lot since he was the head coach of the Florida State Seminoles (2010 to 2017). Heck, college football has changed a ton since he was the head coach at Texas A&M (2018 to 2023).

Without a doubt, Fisher knows the buttons to push with donors, and he knows what it feels like to lead the Seminoles to the top of the college football world.

He won the national championship at Florida State in 2013. He was also one of the top recruiters in the country during his time with FSU as well as during his run at Texas A&M.

Again, college football has changed drastically because of NIL and the transfer portal, so whether or not Fisher can adapt at a high level in 2026 and beyond is an open question.

It does make sense that Fisher is reportedly attempting to get the Florida State job, though. It may also make sense for the Seminoles to give it to him.

Former FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher has been placing calls to potential assistants while looking to make a return to Tallahassee, per @JohnDBrice1.

FSU recently fired head coach Mike Norvell and announced the replacement of former AD Michael Alford with Jeff Purinton on Monday. pic.twitter.com/IYoiwaXa4N
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) November 10, 2026

"Fisher is hungry to get back into coaching and will push very hard to get his name in the mix for a second run with the Seminoles," reports John Brice of USA Today. "His first was mostly terrific, highlighted by a national championship in 2013 behind what may be the best team in program history, but things fell apart near the end as Fisher eyeballed the exit."

Can Jimbo Fisher win at Florida State in the NIL and transfer portal era?

Fisher went 83-23 as head coach at Florida State before he was poached by Texas A&M. Not only did he lead the Seminoles to a championship, but he notched six double-digit-win seasons.

The 'Noles have had just two double-digit win seasons since Fisher left, and both of those were led by the man they just fired, Mike Norvell.

Fisher has the name recognition with recruits and NIL donors to bring the Seminoles back to contention, or at the very least back to relevancy.

Can he put a program over the top in this era of college football, though? Keep in mind, Texas A&M fired him despite his 45-25 overall record and cited the program's inability to reach its full potential under Fisher as the reason why.

If the Seminoles decide to go with a candidate who has experience coaching in the thick of the NIL and transfer portal era, Brice reports that Georgia defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann, Minnesota head coach PJ Fleck and Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz are all "names to monitor."

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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