Nov 30, 2019; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher before their game against the LSU Tigers at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
NCAABy Sean Keeley on

The LSU Tigers got their guy in southern belle Brian Kelly, who left Notre Dame to be their new head coach last week. Of course, before that, it certainly seemed like Lincoln Riley was their guy, though he was way more interested in USC.

Turns out, before either of them were their guy, Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher was LSU’s guy. And they reportedly pulled out all the stops to try and woo him away from their SEC rival.

According to Action Network’s Brett McMurphy, LSU was ready to offer Fisher an eight-year, $125 million contract ($13 million/year).

For reference, that’s more than they eventually gave to Kelly, who is getting paid $95 million over ten years (before bonuses).

Fisher just wrapped up his fourth season in College Station, an 8-4 finish that puts him at 34-14 since arriving there. The Aggies will play in the Gator Bowl for the second time during his stint. They also pulled off the win of the year, upsetting then-undefeated Alabama, breaking a 100-game winning streak against unranked opponents. Fisher previously spent eight years at Florida State where he won a national championship in 2013.

In October, Fisher tried to make it clear that he wasn’t interested in leaving A&M for LSU.

“I’m gonna say this right now and it’s in October right now,” Fisher said. “I love being here. This is my job, the job I want, and being here, I’ve got a great contract, I have an unbelievable chancellor, I have an unbelievable president, unbelievable AD. We’re building something, we’re recruiting great players. I really believe we’re in the process of building something great. I plan on being here and fulfilling this contract. My family has roots here, I’ve got ranches here, I hunt here. I love everything about this place. I say that because listen, there’s nothing going on there. There is nothing happening there and I don’t want to be disrespectful to anyone else.”

It sounds like if it were just about money, Fisher would have jumped ship. But clearly, he’s got a good thing going at Texas A&M and, if he can find a way to elevate the program to the next level, they’ll probably throw all the money they have at him anyway.

As far as the news that LSU pulled out all the stops to get Fisher and failed, there were some strong reactions on social media.

If nothing else, it helps goose the storylines for the next time Texas A&M plays LSU.

[Brett McMurphy]

About Sean Keeley

Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Editorial Strategy Director for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.

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