Jimbo Fisher on his Texas A&M buyout: 'I'm not complaining'

When Jimbo Fisher’s seat heated up at Texas A&M, the conversation about his future started with his hefty buyout. Entering the 2023 season, that number was $77.6 million — which wouldn’t make it easy to move on from him.

Ultimately, the Aggies paid it, opting to part ways with Fisher late in the year and ultimately hire Mike Elko as head coach. Fisher’s buyout was the biggest talking point after the move as Texas A&M paid a record amount to bring a new voice into the room.

As for Fisher? Well, he seems to be in good spirits, all things considered.

“Hey, I’m not complaining,” he joked on Pardon My Take this week.

Fisher’s buyout was a trending topic on social media after the news broke. Fans were in awe over a school paying so much money to make a coaching change, even though things at Texas A&M clearly weren’t working. The university owed 25% of the $77.6 million within 60 days — which comes out to a lump sum of $19.3 million. Then, the university will pay him annual payments through the end of the deal.

But Fisher didn’t see any of the conversation. He doesn’t have social media, although he certainly hears about what happens in that realm.

“See, honestly, I don’t have social media,” Fisher said. “Believe that or not. … It’s amazing, but it doesn’t surprise me now. Anything on social media now, anything to get a hit or get a thing.”

Jimbo Fisher went 45-25 during his nearly six years in College Station, and that included nine wins — eight of which came in conference play — during the COVID-impacted 2020 season. Overall, Fisher had a 27-21 record in SEC action, including a 4-3 mark this year prior to his departure.

As for his immediate future, Fisher isn’t in any rush to jump back into coaching. Instead, he’s going to enjoy the time he has with his family — something he got a head start on the last few months.

“I’m going to let it settle right now,” Fisher said. “The good thing I’m being able to do is spend some time with my family. I actually got to see my son play his last four high school football games. They got to the state semifinals. It was great, you know, because you’re missing that all the time.

“Working on our foundation for ‘Kidz 1st Fun’ and all those things. But just get to spend some time with them in normal life.”