Following the firing of Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher, SEC Network play-by-play voice Tom Hart offered a national perspective of the decision. Hart also discussed potential coaching candidates for the A&M job and where the program goes from here.
Key notes from Tom Hart interview
- The former Flordia athletic director had a great line he used, and it was something along the lines of “What must be done eventually should be done immediately.” Once it became clear, you had to cut bait and move on. I commend A&M for doing that. I thought it was evident last year. Toxic is too strong a word, but it was discombobulated.
- I think it was Jimbo Fisher. This hiring in hindsight was similar to an aging slugger getting a big free-agent deal. His quarterback coaching was a great fit 10 to 15 years ago.
- You can't argue against the recruiting. It was top-notch. The execution on gameday and the vibe of the program got in the way.
- Why is A&M a play away? Why are we constantly a play away? Especially against Appalachian State, Auburn's last year and Ole Miss. I remember going into the Auburn game, the discussion was if the wide receivers were allowed to wear sleeves. That is what it had boiled down to? That's the stuff that got in the way.
- I remember Jimbo's first game against Northwestern State. There was so much hype around the program. The sights being set on the big picture were good. We were talking to Delta about getting direct flights to Easterwood Airport.
- I was calling an A&M baseball game, and Andy Staples came with me to a practice. Jimbo kicked a kid out of practice and then told the team he would let anyone go where they wanted if they wanted to leave. I was really impressed. None of that added up.
- In the end, you have to win games. When you go buy a new car, you expect the quality you pay for. Last year, you left the yard in a junker.
- Depth is more of a concern in college football than it's ever been. Now guys can go down the road to a lesser school, and they will pay. That's real in college football. If your paycheck is made by being a quarterback guru and offense mastermind, you need to be elite at it for four to five years.
- My first phone call is to Kalen DeBoer at Washington. He is an elite mind when it comes to coaching. His staff wants to work for him. You don’t get that anywhere. At the time, he was not going to leave, but they have a new AD. I would call him and tell him to give A&M a look. Convince him that you can reach new heights at A&M.
- Mike Elko knows what it is like to be at A&M. He is ready for a big job, but he has proven he will say no to jobs. He is pragmatic about what his next steps will be. I don’t know. I am spitballing here. I don’t know if A&M is the best job for Elko, in his mind.
- I don't think Dan Lanning is going to come. I think the buyout the too steep.
- I think you swing for the fences. It is an elite job. What got in the way was the guy in the corner office. That obstruction is gone. A lot of coaches could see A&M as a place to win national championships.
- Is this the first time in Power 5 history that both head coaches were let go after the same game? Take into consideration the opponent. Mississippi State is a disaster right now.
- I appreciate the decision-making thought. The LSU series, as great as Jayden Daniels is, that LSU defense is God-awful. We know the history of LSU-A&M. Ross Bjork worked expediently. He realized what if they didn't make this move, and they kept winning.
- It's the most impossible job in sports of what is left for this coaching staff. Some guys want to be kept on. They continue to recruit. Ed Orgeron was recruiting when he was let go. He said he had to finish out his job.
- You have an opportunity to play with emotion and prove people wrong.
- I was surprised by the firing of Fisher. How far out did anybody see this coming? I thought so because the move wasn't made after last season. They were in a bad spot after Ole Miss last year.
- Knowing Ross' aggressiveness, look at the baseball hire. Jim Schlossnagle left a place where he was perfectly happy and content. I think that could pay off with this hire.
- What is the timing of this hire? How quickly do you act? We have seen guys leave before the end of the season. Brian Kelly did. I don’t think it’s good for the game.
- The type of coaches A&M is going after are College Football Playoff or borderline playoff coaches. Find the right guy and let NIL help you with recruiting and the portal.
