Jimbo Fisher makes argument for change in NCAA rules, scheduling

Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher is one of the most prominent voices in the sport of college football. When he talks about issues in the sport, it carries a lot of weight and many different voices in the national media will amplify his message. Recently, he joined The Herd with Colin Cowherd to talk about a number of issues in the chaotic world of college football. Cowherd talked about how he believed college football needs a czar, a scheduling czar, and a CEO. He then asked Fisher his thoughts on the matter.

“100 percent. I’m for that 100 percent and I think you unified; I think unification in officiating. The same officials. There’s no conference. Everything is to a school. You pay them as full-time [employees]. We’re in a multi-billion-dollar business. And we’re paying officials and not enough for a [full-time job]. I think that should be a full-time job for them. If they have other jobs on the side, that’s fine. But I mean, train them. Send them out to the right place. Unification of scheduling. Everything in college football should be under one czar, in my opinion. One set of rules,” Fisher said.

One thing about college football is it’s one of the most beautiful sports on planet earth, but it’s full of a long, long list of problems.

Fisher also cleared the air about what led to his public exchanging of blows with Alabama head coach Nick Saban this year. He took a moment to laugh off the seriousness of their arguments over NIL and recruiting by claiming that both coaches had moved past their recent incident of verbal sparring.

Jimbo Fisher on getting along with Nick Saban

As Fisher spoke with Cowherd, he was asked if Saban can get under the Aggies coach’s skin — and if he was to receive a phone call from Saban today, if he would be happy to answer it. Fisher laughed at the question, indicating that he was not upset with Saban in any way.

“Me and Nick, we’re moved past it,” said Fisher. “Understand something, we drank the same water growing up. When you’re coming from West Virginia, you fight, scratch and clawing for everything you got. And people in our state where I grew up and the way I grew up — what was on your mind came out your lips. And then … five minutes later you said what you said. And you either fought over it, got in a fight over it and then played five minutes later. Or you said okay, then you walked off and you played five minutes later. He’s the same. We’re cut from the same cloth, we’re both competitive and that’s just the way it is. I have respect for Nick like I said before, and we’re fine — 100 percent.”

Fisher’s explanation seems to indicate that, at least on his end, there’s no further arguing coming between the two SEC coaches about what was said. Both coaches were born in West Virginia, which Fisher believes gives them a unique connection and respect for each other — no matter how publicly and aggressively they disagree on certain things.

The Texas A&M Aggies kickoff their 2022-2023 season with the Sam Houston State Bearkats. Kickoff for that one is slated for 12:00 PM EST.

On3’s Austin Brezina also contributed to this article.