Jimbo Fisher has no problem talking to coaches he called out
Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher fired shots back at Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin, who made comments suggesting the Aggies unfairly benefitted from NIL deals. Texas A&M has become the subject of criticism after an internet post claimed that Aggie boosters had spent between $25 and $30 million to recruit the nation’s top recruiting class in 2022.
The criticism comes as Texas A&M chases the No. 1 recruiting class in online ranking history, with eight five-star recruits from the On3 consensus rankings already signed. The class is led by the defensive line, which features five-stars Walter Nolen, Shemar Stewart and Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy. The Aggies remain the favorite for reclassified prospect Lebbeus Overton, who is projected 96% to Texas A&M by On3’s RPM. Other five-star prospects signed include wide receivers Evan Stewart and Chris Marshall, cornerback Denver Harris, quarterback Conner Weigman and safety Jacoby Matthews.
During his national signing day rant, Jimbo Fisher made it clear he is willing to speak about his rant with other coaches, choosing not to name Lane Kiffin directly despite the link made between his earlier criticism.
“I don’t really care what they think,” Fisher said during a press conference. “Those guys want to make comments, they can come see me if they mean them.”
Jimbo Fisher angry over NIL claims
The full comments made from Jimbo Fisher on NIL accusations included a denial and call for equal treatment of different programs.
“Here’s what I’m gonna say and this is point blank, here’s my problem. There is no $30 million fund,” stated Fisher when asked if the claims made upset him. “There is no $5 million, there is no $10 [million] — this is garbage. And it pisses me off. It comes from a site called BroBible by a guy named ‘Sliced Bread.’”
Fisher then turned his criticism to his fellow SEC coaches, after coaches such as Ole Miss’ Lane Kiffin made comments about Texas A&M going over their “salary cap.”
“And then to have coaches in our league and across this league to say it? Clown acts. Irresponsible as hell,” continued an irate Fisher. “Multiple coaches in our league. And the guys griping about NIL, griping about the transfer portal are using it the most and bragging about it the most. That’s the ironic part. You want character — it’s a joke. And it does piss me off…
“It’s funny, when Nick Saban said his quarterback got an $800 thousand deal it was wonderful. Now it ain’t wonderful no more. Then we gripe about the transfer portal? You guys take more than everybody. The hypocrisy is a joke. It’s an absolute joke.”