No. 6 Texas A&M and Jimbo Fisher have agreed on a new contract extension that will keep the national championship-winning coach in College Station through the 2031 season. The new, more lucrative deal will pay Fisher nearly $95 million over the next 10 years -- about 25% more than he was making. He'll start by earning $9 million during the 2022 calendar year, then $9.15 million in 2023. Beyond that, he'll earn $100,000 raises every year for the life of the contract -- which is fully guaranteed, according to The Athletic's Sam Khan.
The deal pushes Fisher past LSU coach Ed Orgeron to the second-highest paid coach in college football. Only Nick Saban earns more.
"The investment Texas A&M University is making in our program, coaching staff and facilities speaks to the vision of our leadership and their commitment to long-term success," Fisher said in a statement. "It is an honor to be the head football coach at Texas A&M and although I am proud of the strides we've made, we ain't done yet!"
The new deal replaces the previous 10-year, $75 million contract that the school gave to Fisher upon hiring him in 2018. Now in his fourth year, Fisher is is 26-10 overall with a 17-8 record in the SEC, but that includes a 9-1 showing in 2020 that put the Aggies on the brink of a College Football Playoff berth. A&M finished fifth in the final CFP rankings, one spot behind Notre Dame, and defeated North Carolina in the Orange Bowl.
It's a huge commitment between Fisher and Texas A&M, which was picked second in the SEC West behind defending champion Alabama despite national title aspirations. But Fisher isn't paid to get close to the CFP -- he's paid to get in it. However, he has amassed the eighth-most talented roster in the country according to the 247Sports team talent index, while making a concerted effort to get bigger and more physical along the line of scrimmage. The influx of talent combined with last season's success raised Fisher's market value to the point where Texas A&M had to reward him.
"Coach Fisher continues to demonstrate he is building our program for long-term success and he is a perfect fit for Texas A&M," Texas A&M athletic director Ross Bjork said in a statement. "Providing the appropriate amount of stability and continuity during this important time is critical as we support our football program at the highest level."
Fisher is 109-33 overall as a head coach dating back to his time at Florida State. He took over the Seminoles program in 2010 following Bobby Bowden's retirement and went 83-23 in eight seasons, winning three ACC titles (2012-14) along with the 2013 national championship.
The Aggies will open their season at home on Saturday night at 8 p.m. ET against Kent State
