Jimbo Fisher Out Of Auburn Coaching Search?

MONTGOMERY — Florida State offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher said Monday evening “there’s nothing to talk about” regarding his alleged candidacy for the vacant head coaching job at Auburn.

But he didn’t exactly eliminate the ambiguity surrounding a potential return to the Plains.

“You don’t make a statement when there’s nothing there,” Fisher said before speaking at the Montgomery Quarterback Club. “There’s no statement to make. I wish them their best on their endeavors of where they’re going for a head coach, because it’s an outstanding program.

“I am very content to be at Florida State. I’m happy to be at Florida State … I’m really looking forward to being there next year.”

Asked if he would be interested if Auburn did, in fact, contact him, Fisher said he was “locked in to Florida State. I’ve got a job at Florida State.”

Asked why he wasn’t giving a definitive “yes” or “no,” Fisher brushed the question aside.

“You’re reading way too much into it,” Fisher said. “I’m very happy here at Florida State. I’m very happy.”

Fisher, who served as a quarterbacks coach at Auburn from 1993-98, was considered a top candidate immediately after Tommy Tuberville’s resignation, according to multiple published reports.

“It’s flattering. It really is to have a program that’s as outstanding as Auburn with people thinking that, and your friends are saying they wish you’d come back,” Fisher said. But that’s always that way. I’ve got a lot of very good friends of mine that still live in Auburn or are connected to Auburn.”

In the past days, longtime Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden and President T.K. Wetherell adamantly denied that Fisher was interested in, or even contacted by Auburn. The head coach in
waiting with the Seminoles, Fisher would owe FSU $5 million if he took a job at another school.

Seminole Boosters, Inc. must pay Fisher $2.5 million if he is not named FSU’s head coach by Jan. 11, 2011.

Fisher laughed at the coincidence surrounding his appearance here Monday. He said the speaking engagement was planned “eight to 10 months ago.”

“It’s always good to be popular,” Fisher said. “What do they say in Hollywood? It doesn’t matter if it’s good or bad, as long as you’re in the news. It’s very ironic that the timing of the whole thing worked out the way it did.”

University of Miami athletic director Kirby Hocutt confirmed Monday that Auburn had contacted him to ask permission to speak to offensive coordinator Patrick Nix.

“We received a call from Auburn in the last couple days notifying us of their interest in Patrick Nix,’’ Hocutt told The Miami Herald on Monday evening. “They asked to speak to him, but I do not know when they plan to do that. I don’t know if it’s today, yesterday or tomorrow. They called to seek permission and gave us the professional courtesy to let us know of their interest in coach Nix and their intention to visit with him about their head coaching vacancy.’’

Nix, a former quarterback, played at Auburn from 1992-95.

The Birmingham News reported Monday from New York City that Georgia assistant Rodney Garner interviewed for the opening at Auburn on Sunday.

Garner was a Tigers offensive lineman from 1984-88 and a recruiting coordinator/tight ends coach at Auburn from 1990-95. He has been at the University of Georgia since 1997. His biggest strength is considered to be his recruiting.

Marks, Coleman earn AP All-SEC honors
Defensive end Antonio Coleman was named first-team All-SEC by the Associated Press on Monday, while defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks garnered honorable mention.

Coleman led Auburn with six sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss this season, which ranked tied for fifth and sixth in the SEC, respectively. He finished the season with 46 tackles (29 solo, 17 assists).

Marks tied for 10th in the SEC with 10 tackles for loss, and finished the season with 32 tackles overall (15 solo, 17 assists).

Both are juniors and have yet to announce their plans for next season. Marks projects as a late first round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft if he opts to skip his senior season, according to multiple scouting services. Coleman has projected anywhere from the second to fourth round.