A&M lures Fisher from FSU; Vols get new AD

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Jimbo Fisher, who coached Florida State to its third national title in 2013, is leaving for the same job at Texas A&M.

Fisher told FSU President John Thrasher on Friday that he was resigning to accept Texas A&M’s offer.

“I believe Texas A&M is getting one of the best coaches in college football. We appreciate all he has done for our program and wish him and his family great success moving forward,” Thrasher said.

Fisher leaves Florida State after going 83-23 in eight seasons. Besides the national title, he also led the Seminoles to three ACC titles. He replaces Kevin Sumlin, who was fired last week after going 51-26 in six seasons at A&M. The Houston Chronicle reported Fisher is expected to earn between $7 million and $7.5 million over at least five years.

The Orlando Sentinel reports that Oregon’s Willie Taggart, Taggart, Virginia Tech coach Justin Fuente and current USF coach Charlie Strong are among possible candidates to replace Fisher.

TENNESSEE: The school has turned to its familiar past to comfort its uneasy fan base in an attempt to rescue what has been a tumultuous and embarrassing coaching search.

Vol faithful blamed AD John Currie for the chaos. Chancellor Beverly Davenport, who watched as the search was

bungled, finally had enough.

So she turned everything over on Friday to Phillip Fulmer, naming the College Football Hall of Famer Tennessee’s new athletic director. Currie, meanwhile, was suspended and placed on paid leave eight months after taking the job.

Davenport said at a news conference that Fulmer will be Tennessee’s athletic director “for the foreseeable future” and “take the reins of our search.” In the meantime, the school is investigating whether it can fire Currie for cause. MONTANA: Bobby Hauck returned Friday to coach a program he led to three FCS national championship games during a prior tenure. He has agreed to a three-year deal through the 2020 season. He’ll receive a base salary of $185,000.

Hauck, a school alum, coached the Grizzlies from 2003 to 2009, compiling an 80-17 record. He was coach at UNLV from 2010-14 and spent the past three seasons as special teams coordinator at San Diego State.

OKLAHOMA STATE: Mike Gundy, who affirmed his commitment to OSU this week following reported interest from Tennessee, is getting a raise. The Oklahoma State/A&M Board of Regents approved an addendum to Gundy’s contract that includes a $675,000 pay increase, bumping his salary to $5 million per year.