In just five years as a head coach, Florida State’s Jimbo Fisher is among the nation’s most accomplished with a stellar 58-11 record, three ACC crowns and a national championship to his credit. Despite having mentors that include legends like Bobby Bowden and Nick Saban, Fisher has become one of the most vilified figures in college football.
Much of the angst against the FSU head man centers around Fisher’s disciplinary measures with players or as football fans outside of Tallahassee might put it — a lack thereof. Despite dismissing starters such as Jarmon Fortson, Greg Dent, Greg Reid and Ukeme Eligwe as well as big time recruits in Ira Denson, Arrington Jenkins and most recently De’Andre Johnson, Fisher’s reputation as a lax disciplinarian prevails nationally. Fisher’s former players say that isn’t the case.
“There’s no truth to people saying that Jimbo Fisher isn’t tough on his players as far as disciplining them because he does,” said Everett Dawkins, who started at defensive tackle for the Seminoles during Fisher’s first three years as head coach. “(Coaches) were tight on us; there wasn’t any leeway, there wasn’t any favoritism.”
The Seminoles and their head coach have been the recent center of scrutiny after quarterback De’Andre Johnson and star running back Dalvin Cook were each accused of punching women at Tallahassee bars in consecutive days late last month. Johnson was dismissed from the team earlier this month and Cook has been suspended indefinitely.
After being redshirted in 2007, wide receiver Bert Reed spent four years in Fisher’s offense including his first two as head coach. Reed said discipline was never an issue with his former head coach and players should be held accountable for their own actions.
“Jimbo Fisher takes discipline of his players very serious and the players know this because he will make an example out of someone for the sake of the university,” Reed said. “The recent incidents I think reflect poor decisions from the players. I do not think it’s a sign of Jimbo and the athletic department of being lenient about discipline issues.
“I personally have seen Jimbo make decisions regarding disciplining a player that was probably one of his favorites and you just knew and could see how hard it was on him to have to do that,” Reed added. “He does put the university in front of the program and what we as players represent.”
The vilification of Fisher and his program began about midway through the 2013 regular season after sexual assault allegations against quarterback Jameis Winston from December of 2012 came to light. Cleared by State Attorney Willie Meggs in December of 2013 and former Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Major Harding during a FSU Code of Conduct hearing late last year, Winston was never charged with a crime.
The sexual assault allegations however, would magnify small misdeeds on Winston’s part including shoplifting seafood from a supermarket to shouting a vulgar internet meme in the FSU student union. Without much foundation, Winston would also be accused of point-shaving as well as being paid to sign autographs that were later determined to likely be fraudulent. Through it all, Fisher defended his quarterback.
“Coach Fisher is a great coach: he’s a family guy, he’s a players guy,” Dawkins said. “A lot of players want a player’s coach like someone who understands the players but at the same time is going to be tough on them like their parents. He’s a great guy overall.”
Dawkins said during his time at FSU, the athletic department spent a lot of time educating players on personal conduct. He added that coaches are only with their players for small portions of the day and can only control so much.
“When I was there and I’m sure they still do, they had a lot of programs they had us go through basically teaching us how to handle certain situations off the field,” Dawkins said. “Everything there is in place for students to excel and stay out of trouble. Nothing should be on the coach at the end of the day. He can’t be there holding your hand.”
Both Dawkins and Reed said that while Fisher could be tough with players, he was always looking out for their best interests. Reed added that Fisher was very accessible to players dealing with difficult situations.
“I truly see Jimbo as a father figure, but as well to all his players,” Reed said. “As a whole team, everybody knows you can talk to Jimbo. I find myself referring to quotes or sayings he would say to us. It’s like I understand them a lot more. He is going to get the best out of you, and if you work for him and give him what you got, he will have your back even after you graduate which is key for me.”
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