Jimbo Fisher Travels to See Fans and Boosters Following a 10-Win Season

By Charlie Barnes, Executive Director - Seminole Boosters

Jimbo Fisher

In order to be successful, a newly-minted Head Football Coach needs good advice and the ability to learn quickly from mistakes. Jimbo Fisher quoted the advice that Coach Bowden gave him about how a rebuilding program progresses along a predictable timetable: "First you lose big; then you lose close. Then you win close; and then you win big."

In 2010 we seemed to be blowing through the lose close/win close phase with thumping victories over our two principal rivals and the dissmissal of an old ghost in the bowl game. With superior recruiting in 2009 and 2010, along with this newest 2011 class, we could be returning soon to dynasty levels of talent-in-depth.

"We're finally learning to win again," was Jimbo's assessment after the Maryland game, the eighth Seminole victory of his 2010 campaign. More important to Fisher than the win-loss record in his rookie season, was his focus on the process of ceveloping a winning mentality. Just like our players, our fans also have to learn how to win again. Everybody wants to win, but only a few programs expect to win every week, every game.

Jimbo Fisher will take his Seminole Boosters travelling show on the road again this April and May. His consistent message to Seminole fans sounds a little like an old time tent revival, but it's a message Fisher embraces with evangelistic passion. "Winning is a culture and it's a habit. And it's not only winning on the field. It's the way you walk, you talk, you eat, you breathe, you believe. And everybody in your organization, not just the players and coaches, but everybody who affects those kids has to have that mentality. That's what we're starting to bring back."

The Spring 2011 Seminole Boosters/Jimbo Fisher Tour will be a series of celebrations from Atlanta to Miami, from Pensacola to Jacksonville and all points in between. Last year - Coach Fisher's first as a touring pro - Jimbo conveyed a specific message to rapt Boosters and fans at each stop. He talked, not about how many games we were going to win, but about his specific methodology for building a winning program. "Take care of the process," he said, "and the wins will come." Those big wins were surely welcome in the hearts of Seminole fans in 2010.

By the time you see Jimbo this spring, we will have concluded an inspiring regular season with wins over Miami and Florida, a visit to the ACC Championship game following a victory in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

Add to all that the triumph of a fabulous recruiting class just signed in February. Few among the legions of Seminole fans expected a turnaround of this magnitude this fast. Come to Tallahassee for the Spring Game this April 16. Then, be in the stands this fall to support your Seminoles. It's time for greatness again.