Jimbo Fisher’s run at Florida State (2010–2017) was one for the books. Taking over the FSU program from the legendary Bobby Bowden wasn’t easy, but within just a season or two, Jimbo turned FSU back into a natty-caliber powerhouse. And his third year marked the peak, where the Seminoles went all the way to a BCS National Championship, and Jameis Winston brought home the Heisman Trophy. But like all great eras, it started to unravel toward the end. Despite the talent he kept bringing in, Jimbo failed to cash in on the talent check, and eventually, Jimbo packed his bags for Texas A&M. Now, with rumors creeping that Fisher might be eyeing a return to coaching, one of his former FSU quarterbacks is opening up about what it was really like playing under him.

On October 6th, former FSU QB James Blackman hopped onto Jordan Travis’ ‘Travis Take Two’ podcast and spoke about the aftermath of Jimbo Fisher’s departure. Jordan Travis asked about it: “I remember you getting thrown into that fire your first year as a true freshman with Jimbo. You went there for Jimbo. You fit into Jimbo’s offense, perfect. I mean, that was your offense. And then we have a new coaching staff that comes in, Jimbo leaves. What was that feeling like when Jimbo left?” James Blackman’s tenure at Florida State under head coach Jimbo Fisher was what folks call short-lived. Jimbo Fisher offered James Blackman a scholarship after evaluating him at his football camp in the summer of 2016.

James Blackman didn’t go into FSU expecting to play as a freshman: “Everything happened so fast. I really didn’t know what was going on. I was there only, like, what, two months before fall camp started, just getting the small reps with, like, the play-around practices, with DeAndre Francois doing a good job, being a leader. And I never expected for me to be playing my freshman year because, like I say, we already had a good leader, which was DeAndre Francois, and my mindset was to follow after him and just let him show me the lead — like not just take a back seat, but just understand that this is a new environment that I’m in. I got good leadership skills, but I also do a good job of being a sponge and just soaking up game from everyone around me. So that was my plan of just growing, getting my body right as a freshman, and when the first game came, we all know that took a whole different turn.”

The true freshman James Blackman got thrown into the fire after a season-ending injury to the starting QB against Alabama, becoming the first true freshman to start at FSU since 1985. Blackman’s first test under center was against NC State at home on September 23, 2017. He completed 22 of 38 passes (57.9%) for 278 yards and one touchdown. He also lost a costly fumble when hit by NC State’s Bradley Chubb.

After a poor 2-5 start, Blackman turned into Rocky Balboa, guiding the team to a 6-6 regular season record and a bowl game appearance. He completed 173 of 297 passes (58.2%) for 2,230 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. His best freshman performance came in the Independence Bowl, where he tossed four touchdowns and earned Offensive MVP honors, capping a season where he ranked third nationally in passing yards by a freshman.

After his freshman season, Jimbo Fisher hit the exit button via resign and re-spawned at Texas A&M. Meanwhile, Blackman decided to stick at FSU while going through some ups and downs, especially his sophomore year, where he red-shirted after playing four games.

When he did play, he put up some solid numbers. In 2019, he completed 184 of 292 passes (63.0%) for 2,339 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. Throughout his FSU career (2017–2020), Blackman tied for 10th in school history with 43 touchdown passes and ranked 11th in career completions with 433. He also racked up 5,445 passing yards, placing him 12th on the program’s all-time list. Blackman had three games with over 300 passing yards, tying him for 15th in program history. Leaving FSU in November 2020 to seek a transfer, Blackman continued his college career at Arkansas State. He spent two seasons there, throwing for 3,815 yards and 22 touchdowns, and improving his completion percentage to 64.3% in his final year.

Jimbo Fisher back at the base?

Jimbo Fisher’s name still echoes through Tallahassee like it never left. Fisher’s time in Tallahassee was nothing short of iconic, an .783 winning percentage, three ACC titles, four AP top-10 finishes, and four bowl victories in the eight seasons. His 83-23 record remains the best in FSU history. But after failing to replicate that success at Texas A&M where he was fired in 2023 despite a massive $77.5 million buyout. Fisher’s coaching career seemed to hit a dead end. Or so people thought.

Now, Fisher’s return to the football scene looks real than ever before. Currently serving as an ACC Network analyst, the former FSU head coach made a surprise appearance at the Miami vs. FSU game last week. When asked by a reporter if he planned to return to coaching, Fisher didn’t hold back. “Remember, I took the kids, and we always had them at practices, and they were like part of the team. They were in the locker rooms and doing all that,” Fisher said, reflecting on how much the game still means to him. Then came the part that set the internet on fire: “But to answer your question, if the right situation comes along and it’s right, I’m still 59.” That small but confident hint was enough to fuel rumors of a potential comeback.