Aggies toss more cash at Jimbo
Jimbo Fisher has yet to beat Nick Saban and Alabama in three tries as Texas A&M’s coach, but he’s still getting a raise and contract extension.
Texas A&M announced Wednesday that its board of regents approved extending Fisher’s contract through the 2031 season with an annual compensation that will be raised from $7.5 million in 2021 to $9,150,000 million in 2022, with subsequent annual raises of $100,000 through Dec. 31, 2031.
Fisher, 55, is being rewarded for the Aggies going 9-1 last season — their lone loss was 52-24 at Alabama — and beating North Carolina in the Orange Bowl. His overall record at Texas A&M is 2610.
In 2018, Texas A&M lured Fisher from Florida State — where his Seminoles beat Auburn to win the 2013 national championship but also lost to Alabama to open the 2017 season — with a 10year, $75 million contract.
Adding the annual raises starting in 2022 to Fisher’s $7.5 million for this year, his total guaranteed financial compensation the next 10 seasons will be $93,450,000.
The Houston Chronicle broke the news of Fisher’s extension being in the works. Fisher’s original deal with Texas A&M was extended by four seasons.
When the extension and raise kick in next year, Fisher will be the secondhighest paid coach in the country behind Saban. In August, Saban, 69, signed an extension through 2028 that will pay him $10.6 million annually.
Fisher on the SEC teleconference Wednesday said that he’s grateful about the new deal, but that he needs to focus on this season, starting with Saturday’s opener against Kent State — Saban’s alma mater.
“It’s a tremendous organization with tremendous people who give us all the support,” Fisher said of Texas A&M. “They’re behind us 100%. I’m very appreciative of them and everything they do for us, that’s for sure.”
Aggies Athletic Director Ross Bjork told reporters Wednesday the timing of Fisher’s new contract is significant.
“It’s really, really important to get this done before we start playing games,” said Bjork, according to TexasAgs. com. “It further shows our commitment not only to Coach Fisher, but to Aggie football.
“We’re on the right track to building towards championship-level success. Our momentum at Texas A&M has never been greater. We need to capture that and show we’re committed to the highest level of football success.”
The Aggies open this season ranked No. 6 in the Associated Press poll after finishing last season ranked No. 4 — Texas A&M’s highest final ranking since winning the 1939 national championship.