COLLEGE STATION, TX — Texas A&M Director of Athletics, Ross Bjork, announced a change in Aggie football leadership on Sunday, effective immediately.
Bjork released this statement:
"After very careful analysis of all the components related to Texas A&M football, I recommended to President Welsh and then Chancellor Sharp that a change in the leadership of the program was necessary in order for Aggie football to reach our full potential and they accepted my decision. We appreciate Coach Fisher's time here at Texas A&M and we wish him the best in his future endeavors."
Bjork will address the decision during a press conference Sunday afternoon.
UPDATE:
Less than 12 hours after the Aggies 51-10 victory over Mississippi state, Texas A&M parted ways with head coach Jimbo fisher; a decision that was reached during last Thursday’s Board of Regents meeting.
Texas A&M Athletic Director Ross Bjork and university president Mark Walsh met with Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp earlier last week telling him a coaching change was “absolutely necessary.”
Back in 2018 at his introductory press conference, fisher was handed a national championship plaque with a blank date on it. The hope was that he could bring one to Aggieland just as he did in Tallahassee, but after nearly 6 seasons at the helm, fisher has compiled a 45-25 record with zero sec west titles or college football playoff appearances.
“At this point. And for lots of reasons, our program is stuck in neutral," Bjork said. “We should be relevant on the national scene. Something is not clicking, something is not working and therefore something had to give in order for Aggie football to reach our full potential.”
Fisher initially signed a 10-year 75-million-dollar contract and after the aggies went 9-1 in 2020, they extended his initial contract through 2031 for 95 million dollars fully guaranteed. Now the Texas A&M Athletics Department and 12th Man Foundation will pay Fisher’s record setting 77-million-dollar buyout which is over 50 million higher than the next largest paid buyout in college football history.
“Although this is a major, major financial decision that comes with many consequences. We have a plan and we will not let this impact the performance or the culture of our entire athletics program,” Bjork said.
As for the rest of the 2023 season, co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach Elijah Robinson will serve as interim head coach for the Aggies.
“Elijah is all about the players. The reaction was awesome today when he spoke to the team," Bjork said. “I wanted somebody that the players would gravitate towards. It's going to be a lot coming at their way. We know what that means. I've already seen a lot of positivity around his leadership.”
Bjork went on to say the search for a new head coach will begin immediately and they’ll put together an advisory committee that includes industry experts and former players. Monday afternoon we’ll hear from Elijah Robinson ahead of his first week as interim head coach.
