Tuesday’s roundup: LSU reportedly looking at Fisher
Fire up the Jimbo Fisher to LSU chatter once again.
Fisher is one of the top candidates for LSU’s coaching job, and school officials have “maintained lines of communication” with his representatives, according to a Tuesday report from NOLA.com.
The report, citing anonymous sources, says Fisher is LSU athletic director Joe Alleva’s “guy from the beginning.”
Fisher, in his seventh season as Florida State’s coach, is reportedly in the running with LSU interim coach Ed Oregeron and North Carolina’s Larry Fedora.
When Les Miles was fired in September, Fisher said “I love (Florida State). I plan on being here for a long time.”
The report says Fisher’s buyout of $5 million before Dec. 31 would not deter LSU officials from their pursuit. It drops to $3 million Jan. 1, 2017.
Fisher’s name has been linked to the LSU coaching job since last season, and he entered negotiations before Tigers officials opted to retain Miles, according to a December 2015 report from The (Baton Rouge, La.) Advocate.
Fisher, earning $5.075 million this season, is under contract with Florida State on a $44 million deal through 2022. He has led Florida State to the 2013 national titles and three Atlantic Coast Conference titles.
Extra points
Butch Davis kept the message simple when he met with his new Florida International football team for the first time.
He rattled off a list of schools who aren’t in major conferences and still found a way to get into major bowls in recent years.
“If they can get into Jan. 1 bowl games, why not us?” Davis said. “Why not us?”
Davis’ five-year contract — one worth about $1 million annually — was finalized Tuesday.
... Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield, Washington State quarterback Luke Falk and Northwestern receiver Austin Carr are this year’s finalists for the Burlsworth Award, which honors the top player who began his career as a walk-on.
... Penn State will have to continue its chase for the Big Ten East title without its top three offensive tackles.
Paris Palmer will miss the remainder of the season with an unspecified injury. The Nittany Lions already are without starters Andrew Nelson and Brendan Mahon,
... Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson says he’s not concerned about his job security.
Georgia Tech (6-4, 3-4 Atlantic Coast) endured a three-game losing streak this season, but is bowl eligible.
... Former Colorado coach Bill McCartney showed up at practice and delivered a motivational speech to the players. McCartney, 76, was recently diagnosed with onset dementia.