Another day, another major change in one of the wildest coaching carousels in recent memory. Now, Florida State's Jimbo Fisher has
resigned to take the same position at Texas A&M. While programs like Florida and Tennessee were met with an eye-roll in terms of a threat to steal away VT headman Justin Fuente, the Noles might have a slightly different situation.
First and foremost Florida State has Fuente at or near the top of its wishlist, it's an ACC program (Fuente has grown comfortable with the league), and it's a fanbase that it slightly less insane - for better or worse - than those at the SEC programs. There are rumblings about Fuente for a reason. The existence of rumblings doesn't mean that anything will ultimately come of them, however. In fact, our Oregon sources have let us know that Willie Taggart is tops on Florida State's list, and it will take a last-ditch contract restructuring to keep him in Eugene. While that sounds like it's about 50/50 to succeed, there's something to be said for a desire from Taggart to return to the Sunshine State (and it's not like Florida State
won't offer him a huge chunk of change).
If Florida State moves on to Fuente, there's cautious optimism in Blacksburg that the pursuit will prove fruitless. That's different than a guarantee (which I was more than willing to issue with the Tennessee search - still ongoing - or others). However, the positive relationship VT's head coach has with his administration is important here.
"A national championship-winning coach basically has 100% job security, and Jimbo [Fisher] is leaving that," one connected Hokie source said. "There has to be a problem with the relationships there. Justin is happy with the administration here, so would he want to walk into a [potentially] toxic situation?"
Worth noting that the source doesn't cite a first-hand denial from Fuente, but in terms of a feel around the program, that's about as solid as it can get. Even if Florida State pursues him, there will at least be a
serious opportunity for VT to get him to rebuff an offer. Add in what we've said during past threats (that Fuente is a program-builder and won't want to leave before finishing the job at VT), from a different program-connected source, and the cautious optimism of holding on to Fuente seems more than justified.
It remains to be seen what exactly (if anything) Florida State tries to throw at him, because everybody has a price... but Fuente's would probably not be reached in this one.
