Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
FSU making progress on football-only complex
TALLAHASSEE – Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher had a sly smile on his face, but he clearly considers adding more resources to bolstering his football program a serious issue.
Two weeks after complimenting Clemson’s “commitment to football” and the Tigers’ new $55 million football-only complex, Fisher was asked Monday about the importance of a college football team having such a facility on its campus.
Fisher ribbed local media several days before his Seminoles face an embattled Florida Gators team Saturday in a battle of 4-6 teams in the midst of quirky, but disappointing seasons.
“We can’t talk about facilities, isn’t that right?” Fisher said with a smile. “You write articles about me talking about facilities now. I can’t answer a facilities question. … We ain’t allowed. It’s inappropriate, right?”
Fisher alluded to the unfavorable fan reaction to his initial facility comments before FSU’s loss to Clemson on Nov. 11. The remarks were not received well, especially with the Seminoles struggling to reach bowl eligibility during a season that started with a No. 3 preseason ranking and national title expectations.
After he first discussed the value of building a new football facility, Fisher’s name was reportedly linked to another coaching job for the third consecutive season — this time Texas A&M after two years of LSU rumors.
Fisher may not get another raise or contract extension as he has during the last two years after finishing with 10-3 records and showing potential to win another national championship on the horizon.
But Florida State is committed to competitively paying any new football coaching assistants needed to assist Fisher in steering the Seminoles back in the winning direction.
The program also is committed to fulfilling Fisher’s request for a football-only complex to streamline productivity for the program’s coaches, players and personnel.
Florida State is currently in the midst of a study to determine an ideal location for the football complex, as well as the amenities needed to ensure the new space is utilized in an efficient manner.
“You have no idea,” Fisher said Monday when asked about the importance of a centralized complex aiding athletes dealing with time constraints of class, study hall and football meetings among other commitments.
“Their days are strung out … the schedules they’re on and what they’re asked to do. When you’re wasting time in between, you’re wasting development time for them.”