Aggie Joke: Inside Texas A&M Coach Jimbo Fisher Media Misunderstanding
There are few things in college sports more miserable than an all-too-serious football coach who lacks a big-picture life outlook and a self-effacing sense of humor.
But one of those things that is more miserable that that? Media people who take themselves so seriously as to fail to acknowledge that aforementioned just-joking skill.
“If it’s the last question, it’s got to be a good question,” Texas A&M football coach Jimbo Fisher said at a recent press conference, his mouth full of drawl and his cheek full of tongue. “Give me a 'gimme' question …”
And then Jimbo took a playful poke at two journalists in his audience who clearly, in his eyes, are both bulldogs at their jobs … And able to take - and understand - a Jimbo Joke.
“I don’t need no Houston Chronicle questions,” he said with a literal “stage wink” toward Chronicle beat writer Brent Zwerneman.
“I need a good question,” the coach continued, this time winking at our Aggies beat writer Cole Thompson, who works here under the Fan Nation banner as part of the Arena Group/SI family. “Sports Illustrated is just as bad. Sports Illustrated? That ain’t a good one either, now.”
Jimbo laughed. Zwerneman laughed. Thompson laughed. But some - maybe in a hurry to unfairly roast Fisher or maybe too shackled by journalistic serious to understand the tension -easing utilization of humor - growled.
From our friends at Awful Announcing: "Fisher did not go into detail about what he dislikes about the questions from the Houston Chronicle or Sports Illustrated, but it’s safe to say both outlets will now think a little harder before asking a question next press conference.''
From our teammates at The Spun: "Based off Fisher's reasoning, it's possible he read something negative about him or the team in the publication(s) and feels some way about it.''
From our colleagues at On3: "It looks like Fisher was both locked and loaded to fire back at both the Houston Chronicle and Sports Illustrated with these comments.''
And yes, even ESPN took a poke at Jimbo and the situation, referring to something called "state media.''
No. No. No. No. Fisher - wise to embrace gallows humor as he labors to engineer a Texas A&M turnaround - was actually paying a compliment to Zwerneman and Thompson. And why? Because their tenacious coverage of the Aggies is worthy of praise and recognition and ball-busting.
So Jimbo busted the balls of the two writers in the room who, when things are going poorly for the football team, are obliged to tell hard truths.
“Dadgum!” Jimbo continued that day. “Y’all give me flak and I can’t give you flak? Y’all can’t take it. That got personal!”
Actually, coach, as you know, the people in that room who you cracked on can take it - which is exactly why you cracked on 'em. And those who misunderstood? They missed out on a heck of an Aggie Joke.
You can follow Mike Fisher on Twitter at @FishSports
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