Paul Finebaum believes Texas A&M already has their eyes on someone to replace Jimbo Fisher
It’s only been a few hours since Texas A&M fired head coach Jimbo Fisher, and the rumor mill is already turning. On Sunday, Paul Finebaum weighed in on the program’s decision to part ways with Fisher and who might be next in line to take over in College Station.
“What this means is they’re already at it,” Finebaum said. “They want a coach by two weeks from tomorrow. There’s a very narrow window. This tells me they’ve got their eyes on somebody because they they’ve been looking around and if they didn’t think they could land a white whale, I don’t think they would have made this move.”
Texas A&M’s decision to part ways with Fisher was a costly one. The Aggies will have to pay out a record $75 million buyout to Fisher on the way out after starting the season 6-4. Previously, Gus Malzahn held the record buyout paid to a college coach at $21.45 million by Auburn.
For reference, last season, 15 schools paid a collective $72 million to buy out their coaches’ respective contracts. Texas A&M is good for it. With one of the most dedicated fan bases in the nation, the school routinely rakes in millions.
Who will replace Jimbo Fisher?
Finebaum expects the school to announce which coach will be receiving a portion of its profits sooner rather than later.
“Everybody wants to know who’s next,” Finebaum said. “When you see names by media, and I know my media friends are going to be upset with me, but I’m going to tell the truth. When you see names being leaked, what does that mean? That means the agents are leaking these names. These aren’t university officials.
“What are the names? Lane Kiffin. Where did that come from? Jimmy Sexton, [Kiffin’s agent],” Finebaum said. “Dan Lanning. Where did that come from? Mike Elko. I’m not sure I know who Mike is represented by but you probably do. Probably Sexton. It doesn’t matter. These are the names that are floating to the top.”
All of the coaches Finebaum listed are currently employed at another school. Nonetheless, with the funding and fanbase Texas A&M has to offer, it will be a tempting proposition for any potential coach. Whether Texas A&M reels in a big fish or not, Finebaum believes the program made the right decision.
“What matters is that Jimbo Fisher is out,” Finebaum said. “He has been on death’s doorstep now for about a year and a half. This was inevitable.”
“A lot of our friends in the media kept saying, ‘Well, it’s too much money’? The fact that Texas is knocking on the door quite often? ‘None of that matters’? It does matter,” said Finebaum. “I think this is the absolute right decision for the school.”