With the Florida State football program firing head coach Mike Norvell, speculation has been swirling in the sports world about who should replace him and lead the Seminoles in the foreseeable future. As Jimbo Fisher has been a popular name linked to the Florida State football team, the former head coach would reflect on leaving Tallahassee, Florida, back in 2017.

Speaking on the “Trials to Triumph” podcast, Fisher would speak about his time as head coach with the Seminoles from 2010 to 2017, and how leaving was the “most difficult thing I've ever done,” further saying that he “never wanted to go.”

“We had great success,” Fisher said, via Josh Chambers. “The last couple years we didn’t, but that run we had there, I did not ever want to leave. I don’t want to get into this the wrong way. I just knew, kind of, the situation the ACC is in now. I saw those things and tried to get us ahead of that a little bit.”

“I wanted more stuff for our staff and players, and some more facilities, because I knew where the game was going and where we were putting our money,” Fisher continued. “It just never worked out. I’m not going to throw anybody under the bus. Sometimes you have to do it.”

Jimbo Fisher says he never wanted to leave Florida State, and says leaving Tallahassee was the most difficult thing he’s ever done

“Most difficult thing I’ve ever done. I never wanted to go. We had great success. The last couple years we didn’t, but that run we had there, I did… pic.twitter.com/He9nH4MJaq

— Josh Chambers (@JoshChambers) November 5, 2026

Jimbo Fisher continues on painful Florida State football exit

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Fisher's name has come up in connection with the Florida State football team now that Norvell has been fired, as no one can tell if the program would be interested in a reunion. If there's one thing for certain, Fisher loves the school.

“But listen, I grew up a Florida State fan; I love Florida State, I grew up loving Florida State,” Fisher said. “The Bowdens were like family to me, and I was like family to them. It was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done…I remember I cried. You remember me? I cried. It killed me. But life takes turns sometimes.”

It remains to be seen who the Seminoles get as their next head coach and if Fisher would be considered.