Steve Sarkisian says he disagrees with timing of Texas A&M's firing of Jimbo Fisher
Steve Sarkisian understood the timing of Texas A&M's firing of coach Jimbo Fisher. He chuckled when asked about the $75 million buyout at the Monday press conference, saying he doesn't have that writing in his contract.
It doesn't mean that Texas' coach liked what Fisher's firing means for the program.
"Everybody wants to just point to the head coach getting fired, when in actuality, a lot of people are eventually out of jobs and need to go find jobs, and they're getting relocated, and kids are changing schools," Sarkisian said. "When you live that and you see the effect it has on your kids, that's a lot. It takes a toll."
Both Fisher and Mississippi State coach Zach Arnett were both relieved after the Aggies steamrolled the Bulldogs 51-10. Despite the team having one of its more dominant performances of the year, what matters for A&M is the early signing period that's growing in popularity. Sarkisian says universities are trying to remove their coach beforehand so the new hire can recruit for the next class in December.
More: Texas A&M AD Ross Bjork details how school will pay Jimbo Fisher's $77.6 million buyout
Texas A&M football's 2023 season
Though A&M has a strong recruiting class, some of their top recruits reacted with skepticism after the firing, seeding doubts in their future prospects. Bolstering recruiting is a good idea for an A&M already 6-4 with no hope for a College Football Playoff spot.
But what about the present? What about the team the Aggies are fielding now?
"When you're firing a coach at this point in the season, you're telling that current team 'we're giving up on you and all we're worried about is the future,'" Sarkisian said.
"I think that the young men in our sport, work way too hard — 12 months of the year — to be given up on and the fact that they work so hard, they're fighting for bowl games and things and futures of their career to say 'Hey, this season's a wash.'"
Texas A&M AD Ross Bjork: Jimbo Fisher was fired because Aggies were 'stuck in neutral'
Sarkisian's contract with Texas football
The Longhorns coach is enjoying the best season of his Texas tenure after signing a six-year deal worth $34.2 million in 2021, far different than Fisher's contract. Even if Texas decides to extend him another offer after this success of the season, it won't come close to the kind of generosity A&M offered their ex-coach.
Once upon a time, Sarkisian was the coach who took over in January for the fired Tom Herman. He inherited players he didn't recruit, such as Jonathon Brooks, Ja'Tavion Sanders and Byron Murphy II. He understands what's happening at A&M.
"I don't have to agree with it," Sarkisian said.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas football: Steve Sarkisian speaks on A&M's firing of Jimbo Fisher
