Jimbo Fisher and the Future of Florida State Football

November 14, 2006 could go down in FSU history books as the end of an era. That is the day that Jeff Bowden resigned and the “Nepotism Era,” as the fans have dubbed it, came to an end.

Jimbo Fisher was then lured away from LSU, where he had been for seven years, to head up the Offense at Florida State and become the new Quarterbacks Coach.

Before we get into the meat of the article, I just want to put out a couple of facts about Jimbo’s track record as a QB coach and Offensive Coordinator.

1. Coached three players who were first round draft picks in 2006.

2. Coached the number one overall draft pick of 2006, JaMarcus Russell.

3. Coached five QBs that were first round draft picks while at LSU.

4. Coached the only 3,000-yard passing QB in Auburn History in Dameyune Craig.

5. Coached both of the 3,000-yard passing QBs in LSU History, JaMarcus Russell and Rohan Davey.

6. Was the Offensive Coordinator of LSU when they won the 2003 National Championship.

7. LSU had a 70-20 record and made seven bowl appearances with Jimbo heading the offense. This represented the most wins in school history over a seven-year period and the most consecutive bowl appearances in school history as well.

8. Ultimately, LSU’s offenses under Fisher set 13 school records.

Turns out Jimbo Fisher is a pretty good quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator. He’s brought his ability to churn out champion-level QBs and his offensive acumen to FSU.

If we look at the QBs FSU has had over the last five years, a curious pattern emerges. We have Chris Rix, a five-star recruit, Wyatt Sexton, the top QB out of High School in the State of Florida, Drew Weatherford, the number four rated pro-style QB in the country, and Xavier Lee, another five-star recruit.

It is absolutely amazing to me that Florida State has recruited such great talent at the QB position but has yet to really see that talent be implemented.

Christian Ponder is a three-star recruit. I’m sure he was destined to be a bench warmer behind the other top recruits, yet somehow he has breathed life into the stale offense that has become FSU’s in recent memory. The key difference between 2000-06 and 06-infinity and beyond is coaching and play calling.

If Jimbo is able to get a three-star recruit to play on the same level as a five-star recruit, can you imagine what Jimbo could do with some real talent at the QB position? If Jimbo’s offense is able to average 10 more points per game with an offensive line barely out of high school, can you imagine how it will perform with seniors?

Florida State has lost some games under Fisher’s guidance, and the offense has struggled as well. But I really believe that Jimbo is going to carry the Noles back to the prestige the program once had. Do you?