We’ve heard a lot of interesting names get floated out there for the USC Trojans head coaching job that’s available.
Urban Meyer was the obvious one for a while. Bob Stoops was a wild one. Eric Bieniemy was an interesting one. Mike Tomlin just seems absurd.
But how about Jeff Fisher? As in, the 63-year-old former NFL head coach who has been retired since 2016? That’d be weird, right? Well, according to Action Network’s Brett McMurphy, Fisher is “in the mix” for the head coaching position.
Ex-NFL coach & USC alum Jeff Fisher is in mix for USC’s coaching position, source told @ActionNetworkHQ. On Monday, former USC QB Carson Palmer said candidates include Penn State’s James Franklin, Iowa State’s Matt Campbell, Cincinnati’s Luke FIckell & Steelers coach Mike Tomlin
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) October 25, 2021
Why Fisher? The most obvious connection is that he’s a USC grad, having played for the Trojans between 1977 and 1980 for legendary coach John Robinson. Fisher started coaching in the NFL in 1985 and eventually became head coach of the Houston Oilers (who became the Tennessee Titans) in 1995. He coached the franchise for 17 seasons, which included one Super Bowl appearance. After a year off, he took over as head coach of the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams and led them for four and a half seasons, never quite turning things around there. It’s also where he cemented his legacy of mostly finishing 8-8 or 7-9 as a head coach.
After being out of coaching for five years, Fisher became an Advisor for the Tennessee State football program in 2021. Perhaps doing so reignited his interest in coaching, though a return to doing it full-time in the college ranks, something he’s never done, while overseeing a program that needs to rebuild in a hurry in order to meet the pressure and demand of its boosters and fanbase, seems ill-advised.
Plenty of football fans on social media seemed to feel that way as well.
Jeff Fisher going to be the first college coach ever to have a 7-9 season. https://t.co/s1W2EHKzFt
— Fanly Gridiron 🏈 (@FanlyGridiron) October 25, 2021
I love how we're just throwing shit against the wall now with the USC head coaching job.
Mike Tomlin: Sure, why not?
Jeff Fisher? Makes total sense…
How about Art Briles? I could see it…
— College Sports Only (@CollegeSportsO) October 25, 2021
Jeff Fisher walking into a 5-star recruits' home and showing off his 1999 AFC Championship ring
— Colton Denning (@Dubsco) October 25, 2021
For what it’s worth, Pac-12 expert Jon Wilner is saying that there’s no way that Fisher will be a candidate for the position, so take the initial report with a grain of salt.
Source: Jeff Fisher not a candidate for #USC opening + won’t be.
— Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline) October 26, 2021
