It looks like Jimbo Fisher is as good as gone to Texas A&M. Florida State officials are taking Fisher's impending departure seriously enough that the Seminoles have begun preparations for the school's first coaching search in four decades.
As we reported previously, Willie Taggart is a target of the impending Florida State search, and Oregon officials have countered by offering him a new contract to stay in Eugene.
On Thursday, sources told FootballScoop that a new name has emerged as a possibility at Florida State: Kevin Sumlin.
Sumlin, obviously, recently completed a 51-26 run at Texas A&M. He is also in line for a $10 million payment from A&M that would not be offset by any salary he should earn from Florida State, and would come aboard with no buyout coming from the 'Noles coffers.
It bears mentioning that Fisher and Taggart are Jimmy Sexton clients, while Sumlin is not.
One name that has been bandied about but we haven't heard much chatter on is Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente. Fuente is 19-7 in two seasons in Blacksburg and, as we detailed previously, has a buyout that sits at $6 million through Dec. 15 and drops to $5 million thereafter.
Sumlin was mentioned as a possibility at Arizona State, but that job is in the process of going to Herm Edwards. Sources indicated Sumlin would take the Florida State job if offered.
Louisville and Mississippi State swapped defensive coordinators last season, but a Florida State-Texas A&M head coaching swap would be the first that immediately comes to mind. And Sumlin would get an extra $10 million in his pocket to do so.
What a time to be alive.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.