Seminoles coach Fisher wants to stay at FSU 'a long time'

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) Jimbo Fisher lauded Florida State University President John Thrasher Tuesday for ''seeing the big picture'' the day after the school announced the coach's contract extension.

Fisher, 77-17 in seven seasons at Florida State, signed a two-year extension that will keep him at the school through the 2024 season. It is the second time in two years Fisher has had his contract redone by Thrasher.

''We've really built something really special and I want to continue it for a long time,'' Fisher said. ''I think President Thrasher has been awesome with that and seeing the big picture with everything that goes on. He loves it and understands what we do. We understand our importance to this university too and how we represent it and things that go on.''

Since Fisher took over the program in 2010 after the retirement of Bobby Bowden, Florida State has redone its practice fields, built an indoor facility, overhauled the locker room and added a player's lounge.

A bigger renovation of Doak Campbell Stadium is a long-term priority but something that is more immediate is adding new athlete dorms along with an athletics academic center. Thrasher said he is hopeful that he can begin adding private funding for that early next year and is hopeful that more concrete plans can be finalized before the fall.

Even though he received plenty of questions from reporters about the opening at LSU after Les Miles was fired, Fisher said wasn't asked about it too many times from members of his coaching staff, players or potential recruits.

The 10th-ranked Seminoles (9-3) wrapped up the first portion of practices for their Dec. 30 game against No. 6 Michigan in the Orange Bowl. The players are off until Saturday, when they will travel to South Florida and resume preparations.

Fisher said he would have preferred spending Christmas in Tallahassee but that the timetable did not work out.

''We'll practice a little bit on Christmas day then we'll have a dinner that night and everything together like a family and try to spend a lot of time with them,'' he said. ''We start school a little bit later than normal, (Jan. 9) so they get back a couple extra days for the holidays. It'll be good to be with them and everybody.''

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