(Photo credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images)

Out of the coaching ranks since he was fired by Texas A&M in 2023 -- and received a college-sports record $77 million in a buyout -- Jimbo Fisher recently told Yahoo Sports that he has the itch to return to the college sideline.

Fisher, 60, is owed $7 million annually for the next seven years after he was paid $26 million shortly after his spring 2024 firing. But the longtime coach who led Florida State to a national title in 2014 is studying the game's trends and preparing for his next coaching opportunity while working as an ACC Network analyst.

'I never got into coaching for money,' Fisher told Yahoo Sports. 'Well, I'm not going to get out of it because I've got money.'

With eight coaching dismissals already this season and $114 million in buyout money, Fisher may get that opportunity in the near future.

'He's getting ready to get back in,' said Mike Tannenbaum, a longtime NFL front office executive.

Fisher, who has a 128-48 record as a head coach, achieved plenty of success at Florida State and Texas A&M, but his final two seasons at College Station resulted in an 11-11 record and led to his dismissal despite his massive contract.

Fisher felt the desire to return to coaching early in the 2024 season and spoke to West Virginia administrators last December about the program's head coaching vacancy, but the Mountaineers hired Rich Rodriguez instead.

'When you're away from something, it makes you reflect,' Fisher said. 'I'm back to watching film and have those feelings. I miss the players and those relationships. I miss practice. I miss the grind. I live to coach. I love to do what I did.'

--Field Level Media