LSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher told a North Carolina newspaper that he is interested in the North Carolina State University coaching position but reiterated that no one from the Wolfpack Athletic Department has contacted him concerning the opening. “That’s a heck of job, a very good job,” Fisher told The News & Observer. “I’d be interested. How could you not be interested in that situation?” Fisher could not be reached for comment Tuesday. LSU Athletics Director Skip Bertman said, as of Tuesday, no NC State official has contacted him for permission to speak with Fisher, though other schools are not required to seek permission from Bertman to speak with assistant coaches. “Usually the other school calls here first to indicate that they wish to talk to the guy,” Bertman said. “It is possible that the school could call the head football coach for that information. ” LSU sports information director Michael Bonnette said he spoke Monday to Fisher, who told Bonnette that no Wolfpack officials have called him. Brandon Yopp, NC State assistant media relations director, would neither confirm or deny that Fisher has been called about the position. “Our director of athletics won’t have any comment on the search until after it’s completed,” he said. A report surfaced Tuesday on ESPN.com saying NC State has actually aimed its focus on Navy coach Paul Johnson. “Johnson hasn’t been offered the NC State job. The source said Wolfpack officials hope to hire a new coach by the end of the week,” reporter Mark Schlabach wrote in the story. The Wolfpack are in search of a football coach after Chuck Amato was fired Nov. 26 after NC State finished its season on a seven-game losing streak. The NC State alumnus spent seven seasons at his Alma Mater and compiled a 49-37 record during his tenure. Fisher began coaching at LSU in 2000 after previous stints at the University of Cincinnati and Auburn University. “Jimbo was coach [Nick] Saban’s pick – he came from Auburn in the year 2000,” Bertman said. “He has been an integral part of a dramatic rise in the football prowess here at LSU. He’s a great one.” Fisher has been linked to coaching positions outside LSU in the past, including an offer to coach with Saban for Miami Dolphins, but Fisher declined the opportunity. “He might feel now is the time [to be a head coach] if he gets that call,” Bertman said. Bertman did confirm that Michigan State University asked to speak with defensive coordinator Bo Pelini about four weeks ago. Since then the Spartans have hired former Cincinnati coach Mark Dantonio to lead the Bearcats. Some of the available coaching positions in college football include the Universities of Miami and Alabama and Stanford, NC State, Arizona State, Central Michigan and Tulane universities. As positions are filled, other jobs become open, which could present more opportunities for Fisher and Pelini.
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