Relinquishing playcalling duties something Texas A&M Aggies coach Jimbo Fisher could ‘evaluate’ if struggles continue

After a dismal offensive performance in a 17-14 loss to Appalachian State — one of the biggest upsets in Texas A&M history — Aggies coach Jimbo Fisher was asked Monday if he would consider giving up his playcalling duties.

“In time, I would,” Fisher said. “Possibly. You always evaluate these things.”

Texas A&M ranks 103rd nationally in total offense after catching just nine first downs and 186 total offensive yards against Appalachian State, which gave up 63 points to North Carolina the previous week.

Last season, the Aggies ranked 71st in total offense (392.4 yards per game), 88th in passing (208.6 ypg), and 56th in scoring offense (29.3 points). per game), scoring 24 points or fewer in six games while finishing to a stumbled 8-4.

Fisher was asked — as someone who called plays from 1991 Samford and later won national titles as offensive coordinator at LSU with Nick Saban and later as Florida State head coach — if his ego would prevent him from letting go.

“No,” he said. “I am always [about] what it takes to win. Winning is everything. I promise you that.”

The question has haunted Fisher for years, ever since he became FSU’s head coach after serving as Bobby Bowden’s offensive coordinator for three seasons.

In 2012, a year before Jameis Winston’s arrival, Fisher faced similar questions and said he planned to delegate playcalling to a coordinator.

“I wanted to name games for three, four, five [years], whatever it took to get established,” said Fisher, who was in his third year as a head coach, according to the Palm Beach Post. That was in my five-year plan.”

Fisher said at A&M his offensive philosophy is “a conglomerate of game calls” based on input from his offensive staff. Fisher reshuffled his offensive lineup prior to the start of the season, moving Darrell Dickey from quarterbacks coach to tight ends coach, James Coley from tight ends to wide receiver, and Dameyune Craig from wide receiver to quarterback. Dickey and Coley are co-offensive coordinators, but Fisher names the games.

Fisher also said Monday he could “possibly” consider a change at quarterback after starter Haynes King was 13 of 20 for 97 yards on Saturday. He said there were multiple reasons for the offense’s struggles, such as missed blocks or wrong routes, and said he wouldn’t blame all the problems on King.

“We will evaluate everything this week,” he said. “We will evaluate each position this week.”