In my head I have been working on this post since Friday, December 1, 2017 at 1:29 p.m. Like most things I want to remember, or not as the case may be, I screenshotted the banners on my phone as they announced Jimbo Fisher to Texas A&M. I am not going to lie. I cried in the car as I drove down the road (READ: I WAS A MESS). We had ONE coach for 35 years (Bobby). Then Jimbo for 8 seasons. We don't change coaches like we change underwear. This wasn't supposed to be our fate as Seminole fans. We don't worry season after season if our coach will remain (although we have the last few years). We became numb to the repeated off season banter about Jimbo Fisher being courted by team so-and-so. We had been lulled to sleep with his "I will not comment about coaching jobs". We had a false sense of security because he had turned down so many other opportunities. But some how this year was different, as I read articles and listened to pod casts about in fighting between coaches, coaches leaving away games separately from the team. And after Jimbo was long gone we hear reports (fake or not) that he hadn't recruited in months. And probably the most disconcerting was text message after text message coming into my phone throughout November, my friends (mostly non-FSU fans) telling me about how they hear Jimbo is gone for sure after the season is over. And yet, here we are in this place. Maybe I should say in this place where my Dad texts me to ask if I am still all in with FSU. Does the sun come up in the east everyday? Does a bear go potty in the woods? Nothing has changed besides who is the head coach. My loyalty and enthusiasm is still where it should be residing. I'm still that girl in 1992 with a FSU shirt (2 years before a National Championship).
After listening to the post game press conference with Coach Haggins and a few of the players, I decided it was time to say my peace. And as I flipped open my laptop and log onto this site, I realize the last blog post I had made was a post in July 2016 about a YouTube video with all of these locker room speeches Jimbo had made to the team at one point or another. All those notable quotes laid out on my blog. As I read them, I kept wondering, were they really meant when they were spoken? I mean, was any of the Jimbo Fisher era real? Was the sentiment behind it real? "It got personal" Oh, you think? "You make the helmet, the helmet doesn't make you." I don't know if that's really true in this case. And I can quote you 75 million reasons why that might not be true. "That is not fair, MDK." Oh yeah it is. You know why it is fair? Because I'm pretty sure none of us really truly know why he left. There's been rumors: PERSONAL REASONS HAVING NOTHING TO DO WITH FOOTBALL (which cover a MYRIAD of reasons), he wanted this or that and the administration would not give it to him, the fans were too hard on him (*insert eye roll* He has not seen anything yet in regards to fans. A&M like to death threat their coaches when they don't win enough. See Kevin Sumlin's wife, Also see Tammy From Auburn), With all Due Respect, Monk Bonasorte (RIP) was the buffer between Jimbo and the administration, AD and Boosters and now their was no one to adequately fill that roll, he became frustrated and left (okaaay), and he wanted to be back in the SEC (*Insert Eye Roll*).
Ultimately, none of the reasons matter, nor will they change the outcome. I can say for a certainty that I have no desire to see Jimbo Fisher on the opposite sideline vs. FSU. Ever. I wish him well. I am grateful for everything he did for FSU. But watching him build his team, interact with A&M fans and give interviews is like watching your newly departed boyfriend court a new girl. It is awkward. And for someone who cried in the car, it is just too painful. I have taken steps to reduce the amount of A&M news in my feed. I wish him well, but I just can't watch.
Even now, I can't even fully describe his leaving without getting choked up. That's ridiculous right? Probably I just don't like changes. And once things get rolling, (the bowl game was a great 1st step today) I will feel better about this situation. Maybe.
I leave with more questions than answers. Especially after reading my previous blog. I will leave you with one final thought, if men do what they have to do and boys do what they want to do, which are you Jimbo, a man or a boy?
MDK In The House
We Must Protect This House
