COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Billy Liucci was lounging last month in a front office of the worldwide headquarters of TexAgs, one of the country’s oldest, most ambitious and successful fan websites. Although the site’s executive editor is not a member of Texas A&M’s athletic department, Liucci is one of the school’s most influential figures in athletics.
Plugged in doesn’t even start to explain that influence.
“If it wasn’t for the contract, I don’t think he’s here,” Liucci said the week of Thanksgiving. “It’s been that bad this year.”
He was speaking, of course, about Jimbo Fisher, the Aggies’ coach. A few days later, Texas A&M upset No. 6 LSU to finish 5-7, its worst season in 15 years. Whether Liucci’s statement pre-LSU should be reevaluated in light of that win is up for debate.
Regardless, Fisher’s contract continues to hover over everything else at Texas A&M: the future, the past, this week’s early signing day, next season … everything.
Nothing in these parts can be discussed without that contract context. It is fair to say Fisher has underachieved going 39-21 in five seasons at Texas A&M. There has been not so much as a division title, although a 9-1 COVID-19-infused season in 2020 remains the high point. But for the money, Fisher era at Texas A&M flat out hasn’t been worth it. So far.
An at-the-time jaw-dropping fully guaranteed 10-year, $75 million contract in 2018 was replaced by an exceptionally jaw-dropping 10-year, $95 million fully guaranteed contract in 2021. There is $85 million left on the deal as a buyout following Texas A&M’s first season without a bowl appearance since 2008. Even if well-heeled Aggies donors wanted to make a move, that number is too big even for them.
Hence, Liucci’s candor.
“On one hand, people see Texas and Oklahoma aren’t doing much. Maybe that’s a saving grace,” he said of the Aggies’ longtime rivals. “The problem, I think, is when you see the SEC West right now. … [LSU coach] Brian Kelly is doing it in Year 1. He’s doing it on the back of a linebacker who was committed to Texas A&M for a couple of months [Harold Perkins Jr.]. You look around the league, and it’s a year where it was there for the taking.”
Georgia is No. 1 and undefeated, but that’s a minor detail. You don’t pay $9.5 million a year to lose at home to Appalachian State and then — later — drop six games in a row.
Wednesday’s early signing day might as well…
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