There has been much made of the “too close for comfort” relationship between FSU’s Jimbo Fisher and UF’s Will Muschamp; however upon closer examination their relationship is hardly an anomaly in a transient business where the ideal of loyalty is pragmatically unrealistic. Many fans are angered at the lack of loyalty college coaches consistently demonstrate in what has truly become a mercenary business. I’ve been around the game for a long time now, and am aware that it is simply a fairy tale to believe that coaches should demonstrate “loyalty” to universities that will fire them as soon as some wealthy and influential boosters decide that is what they want. Many times, one bad season is all it takes, due to the lucrative financial implications associated with winning or losing. In lieu of modern college football’s disillusioning nature for many fans and casual observers, I would like to focus on the nature of college football’s “coaching fraternity.” We must examine Fisher and Muschamp’s relationship, in order to demonstrate how Fisher and Muschamp became the men they are today, and why it is important for us here at FSU to understand a little bit about the not so distant past.
Photo via jacksonville.com
The relationship between Fisher and Muschamp was born at Auburn University in 1995. The recently graduated captain and safety of the Georgia Bulldogs, had just landed a gig as a Graduate Assistant under Terry Bowden at Auburn following Muschamp’s final season at Georgia in 1994. This Auburn staff included FSU Offensive Line Coach Rick Trickett, and was quarterbacked by former FSU QB’s Coach (2010-2012) and current Auburn Assistant Head Coach Dameyune Craig. For the next two years, Fisher and Muschamp came to realize their philosophical congruence in how a team should be organized and managed. Fisher went on to become the Cincinnati Bearcats‘ Offensive Coordinator in 1999, following Auburn’s firing of Bowden in 1998. Nick Saban fled East Lansing and Michigan State in 2000 for LSU, and then named Fisher his OC. Following LSU’s first season under Saban, they won the Peach Bowl (now the Chick Fil-A Bowl) over Georgia Tech. During bowl practices in Atlanta, Fisher called Muschamp and told him to make the drive up from Valdosta State, where he was the Blazer’s Defensive Coordinator. Saban had lost his LB’s Coach, and largely due to Fisher’s endorsement, the job went to one Will Muschamp. From 2001-2004 LSU achieved amazing success. The trio of Saban, Fisher, and Muschamp (promoted to DC in 2002), not only won the 2003 BCS National Championship, but also the 2001 and 2003 SEC Championships. Muschamp followed Saban to the Miami Dolphins in 2005, then spent 2006 and 2007 at Auburn as DC for Tommy Tuberville (Terry Bowden’s successor), who became Auburn’s Head Coach in 1998 after leaving Ole Miss during their season, followed by a stint as Texas’ DC and “Head Coach in-Waiting” from 2008-2010, ultimately being named Florida’s Head Coach in 2011 (and now Alma mater Georgia’s and close friend Fisher’s arch rival). Fisher stayed at LSU in 2005 and 2006 as Les Miles’ OC, coaching JaMarcus Russell and the Tigers to a 41-14 blowout of Notre Dame in both Fisher’s and Russell’s final game at LSU, the 2007 Sugar Bowl.
Bobby Bowden hired Fisher in early 2007 to repair the disaster that was Jeff Bowden’s offense. Ever since Mark Richt’s departure for Georgia in 2001, things got progressively worse. Jeff Bowden became “public enemy number 1″ for FSU fans, with discontent reaching a fevered pitch following Wake Forest’s 30-0 blowout of the ‘Noles in Tallahassee in 2006. While Fisher took the job hoping to be the next head coach, it was not until after the 2007 season that FSU President T.K. Wetherell dubbed him “Head Coach in Waiting”. Fisher worked hard from 2007-2009 as OC to revamp FSU’s offense, and to resurrect the glorious days of recruiting dominance. Fisher achieved both tasks, tutoring Christian Ponder to greatness, and making tremendous inroads towards achieving FSU Football’s return to glory. Fisher’s inaugural season as Head Coach in 2010 ended with the ‘Noles vanquishing South Carolina and former nemesis Steve Spurrier 26-17 in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl to finish 10-4. 2011 was an up and down proposition, however, with wins over Miami, Florida, and Notre Dame in the Champs Sports Bowl. In 2012 we all witnessed the commencement of a new era of excellence, as the ‘Noles went 12-2, won the ACC Championship, and achieved a 31-10 Orange Bowl victory over Northern Illinois. Those still bitter about the losses to NC State and Florida need a history lesson; the ‘Noles went 7-6 in 2006, 2007, and 2009, 9-3 in 2004 including a home loss to a mediocre 7-5 Florida squad playing hard for their already fired Head Coach Ron Zook, 9-4 in 2008 including a 45-15 home loss to Florida, along with the still disappointing 8-5 ACC Championship season of 2005 which included a 34-7 loss at Florida. The losses to the Wolfpack and Gators were indeed painful, yet winning 12 games for the first time in over a decade in addition to another top 10 recruiting class equals a bright future for the Seminoles.