Jimbo Fisher Ready to Revive FSU

In 1976, a middle aged coach from the mountains of West Virginia descended upon Tallahassee. He carried a 42-26 career record, yet was best remembered throughout the nation as a true gentleman. This legend of a man was Bobby Bowden.

He arrived at Florida State University, looking to ignite a program that had won just four games in the previous three years. In the next 34 season, Bowden would emerge as one of college football’s greatest coaches of all time. The Alabama native won two national championship in 1993 and 1999, and numerous former Seminoles have went on to excel in the NFL, including Deion Sanders, Anquan Boldin, and Fred Biletnikoff. 

Last season, however, was a disappointment. The Seminoles stumbled to a 7-6 record, with a 4-4 record in the weak ACC. Furthermore, Bowden had wins vacated after the NCAA found that Florida State had used ineligible players in the past. At season’s end, he decided to step from the heading coaching position, and, as a result, offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher (above, right) was named head coach. 

Evidently, history is repeating itself in Tallahassee. Fisher, who also has West Virginia ties, will look to revive Florida State into a national football contender once again. He has gotten off to a great start, delivering the fifth best recruiting class in the entire country. 

With a bevy of linebackers entering the football program, expect the defense to improve in 2010. The combination of Christian Jones, Jeff Luc, Telvin Smith, Holmes Onwukaife, and Nigel Terrell should bolster a unit that lacked athleticism last season. Jones, in particular, was ranked as the best inside linebacker in the entire country, and Luc was the top overall outside linebacker, as well. 

To provide a new voice on the defensive side of the ball, Fisher decided to hire Mark Stoops as the defensive coordinator. He replaces Mickey Andrews, who had held the position for 26 years. Stoops had previously been the defensive coordinator under his older brother Mike Stoops at the University of Arizona. The Wildcats last year allowed the second fewest yards per contest in the entire Pac-10. 

Offensively, Fisher looks to freshmen Kenny Shaw, Christian Green, and De’ Joshua Johnson to produce immediately in Tallahassee. Regarding Shaw, he lacks elite speed, capable of only running the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds, but the Orlando native’s skills are quite refined. He is the best route runner of this Florida State wide receiver group. 

Johnson, like Shaw, is a four star recruit. He, however, failed to academically qualify for Florida State, and the 5 foot 11 inch wide receiver will play two years in Junior College, before entering the Seminole program. When eligible, Johnson is electrifying in the open field, reminding many of a young Donte Stallworth. 

That being said, I believe that Florida State has a very good chance at the ACC title in 2010. Christian Ponder should have a Heisman-type season for the Seminoles under center, and with the conference in such disarray, Jimbo Fisher’s team could squeak its way into a BCS Bowl Game.


-Justin Silberman