Ross Bjork explains 'not ideal' timing on Jimbo Fisher dismissal
After nearly six seasons at the helm, Texas A&M decided to part ways with head coach Jimbo Fisher on Sunday.
Rumors of Fisher being in the hot seat have circulated for quite some time, but firing him the day after the Aggies’ impressive 51-10 win over Mississippi State to secure bowl eligibility and improve their record from a season ago came to the surprise of some. But even Texas A&M athletic director Ross Bjork was willing to admit that the timing of Fisher’s firing was not the best in a press conference on Sunday.
“The assessment I delivered was that we are not reaching our full potential, we are not in the championship conversation and something was not quite right about our direction and the plan. I appreciate their support for this decision and our plan moving forward,” Bjork started.
“The timing is not ideal. Especially after last night, which I’ll touch on here in a second, but it’s also not unique given certain dates coming up in college athletics, and you all know what those are. However, given various meetings and schedules, last week and the end of the season approaching we decided to move forward immediately.”
The timing of Fisher’s firing may not be ideal for the morale of the Aggies’ season, and the wallet of Texas A&M’s program, but they will be getting a step ahead in other areas.
The month of December has now become more crucial than ever in college football, with the early period of National Signing Day beginning on December 20 and the transfer portal window opening on December 4. Texas A&M will also be able to get a head start on finding a new head coach, and the sooner they can do that, the sooner the Aggies will be able to capitalize on what’s now become the most important month of recruiting in the college football calendar year.
“From there we had a busy sports weekend around Aggieland right and of course prepping for Aggie football game day. Can you believe that? 103,000 Aggies show up to support our military and especially support our players,” Bjork said. “There’s no other place in the country that would have done that, to have a packed full stadium. And our obligation is to make sure we service the Aggies that are supporting our program. Our players really needed that win and that was important. Aggies are the best and again, nowhere in the country would’ve seen that type of turnout.”
The Aggies did have an impressive performance and turnout for Military Appreciation Day at Kyle Field on Saturday, but now off the field their focus turns to ushering in a new era for their football program.