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Florida State's Fisher refuses to discuss Texas A&M opening
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) Florida State's Jimbo Fisher remains mum when it comes to his coaching future.
While Fisher was happy to discuss Florida's hiring of Dan Mullen during his weekly news conference on Monday, he said he would not discuss speculation that he is the top candidate at Texas A&M after Kevin Sumlin was fired on Sunday.
''I'm just not going to talk about it,'' Fisher said.
Fisher has not given Florida State any indication that he is leaning toward leaving the school, two people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. They spoke on condition of anonymity because neither Texas A&M nor Florida State has publicly discussed Fisher.
He did speak generally on Monday about the pressures of coaching and the number of high-profile jobs that are open nationally.
''Everything in our profession is unstable because of the dollars that are in it, the people that are in it, the insecurity that's in it and the instant gratification that everyone wants,'' Fisher said.
Fisher said he told his players that he will be on the sidelines Saturday coaching the Seminoles against Louisiana-Monroe. Florida State (5-6) needs to win in order to become bowl-eligible for the 36th consecutive season.
Fisher is 83-23 in eight seasons at Florida State and led the Seminoles to the national championship in 2013. This year marks the first time since 2011 that the Seminoles have not won 10 or more games or qualified for a New Year's Six bowl.
Texas A&M's regents have called a meeting for Thursday to discuss the university's coaching search.
It's the third straight season that Fisher's name has been linked with a Southeastern Conference program. He was mentioned the last two years as a candidate at LSU, where he spent seven seasons as the offensive coordinator (2000-06).
Last December, Fisher signed a contract extension through 2024 that makes him among the highest-paid coaches in the country. He is making $5.7 million this season, which is sixth-highest.
Texas A&M athletic director Scott Woodward and Fisher worked together at LSU. The university has also invested heavily in facilities the past five years, including a football operations center. Fisher has spoken about his desire for Florida State to add its own football-only building.
Fisher has been critical of fans and media comments during a disappointing season. The Seminoles were ranked third in the AP preseason poll but lost quarterback Deondre Francois in the opener against Alabama and were 3-6 at one point.
After a loss to Louisville on Oct. 21, Fisher got into a verbal altercation with a fan who kept yelling that it is time to hire new assistant coaches.
After beating Florida for a fifth straight year last Saturday, Fisher addressed rumors that he will make wholesale changes to his staff going into next season.
''You guys create it - with the articles and the things you do and the criticisms of the kids and the players and the coaches. This guy should go and that guy should go, and we should make that change,'' Fisher said. ''None of y'all have ever coached. You have no knowledge of anything.''
If Fisher does remain at Florida State, Mullen will be the fifth Florida coach he has faced. He said Mullen is an outstanding coach and that they have talked occasionally when they faced common opponents.
''We share information. I guess those days are over,'' said Fisher, laughing.
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Follow Joe Reedy on Twitter at https://twitter.com/joereedy
