Commentary

If Jimbo flops, shut program down

COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- The only disappointing part of Jimbo Fisher's introductory press conference Monday was that there was not an announcement that half of his salary will go toward a recruiting slush fund, specifically for quarterbacks.

When you spend $75 million, guaranteed, over 10 years for one employee, you have taken the "By Any Mean$ Necessary" ramp.

Jimbo, have fun, and be sure to find your version of Johnny Manziel, Jameis Winston.

Just know all of your money comes from boosters, who are going to want to chat after practice. Or a win. Or a loss. During dinner. During bedtime. During your vacation. But they may also be willing to help with a five-star recruit too.

However dysfunctional and delusional Florida State is, Texas A&M is worse. A&M is the national championship football program without a national championship but plenty of banners.

"The people here are incredible," Fisher said Monday at his introductory press conference inside the Hall of Champions at Kyle Field. "I don't know if I've met a nicer group of people."

All true. And it will remain that way, provided you don't lose. And do what they say. And don't lose.

Jimbo, it's your job to put up a real banner at Kyle Field or this is a waste of time and money. Now it's the job of all of those "nice people" to get out of your way, which history says they won't.

Jimbo to College Station is the boldest, most admirable power play by a Power 5 school since Alabama money-whipped Nick Saban away from the Miami Dolphins. If Jimbo does not win an SEC title and a national title, it will say more about the Aggies than it will the head coach.

"I don't know if I have to but that's my goal," Fisher said when I asked if he has to win a title to validate this type of move. "That's what we are about. That's our goal every year, and it always will be."

Hiring Jimbo is a program-defining decision, and if it doesn't work the Aggies should just dig up Bear Bryant.

Jimbo is it. If this doesn't work, shut down the program.

Jimbo is now the highest-paid public employee in the state of Texas. This coaching transition will cost nearly $100 million.

Jimbo can lose every game and his money is guaranteed. This is the norm, and do not blame him.

"I never had any intention of leaving Florida State," Fisher said. "As I researched Texas A&M, the vision, and the people it had here, it was a no-brainer, in a crazy way."

Saying no to $75 million would be no-brainer crazy.

Jimbo is no dummy and he knows he just traded a bucket of problems for a keg of challenges. A&M's greatest strength is the solidarity it breeds, which, when it comes to football, can look like cannibalism.

He also knows that Texas A&M has access to every single toy and advantage available to win. He would not have come to College Station if he did not think he could compete with LSU, Alabama and Auburn. Since joining the SEC, the Aggies have been successful in every single sport but football.

Since 1995, the football team has one top 10 finish; 15 times this century it has not been ranked in the final Top 25 poll. The last time it won a national title was 1939.

The program struts like the Alabama Patriots, spends money like a Trump and delivers disappointment like a Dallas Cowboy.

Since joining the SEC, A&M has done every single thing to be competitive on the highest levels of football, and, save for the Johnny Years, the results remain a diet of Dulcolax Stool Softener Bowl titles.

Jimbo is in College Station to turn a program that says it's a national title winner into one that actually wins one.

"It's not about the outcome, it's about the process," Jimbo said, reciting a quote used often from Saban to Jason Garrett.

Coach, let me help you out -- no one cares about the process. They want the outcome.

Dennis Franchione, Mike Sherman and Kevin Sumlin all had a great "process" but blah outcomes.

The facilities are here. The players are (we think) here. The support is here. Now a national-title winning head coach is too.

The Aggies have no reason not to hang a real national title banner now.

If this move flops, either dig up Bear Bryant or shut it down.

Sports on 12/07/2017

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