This past week Bryan Fisher resigned as head coach of the Robert C. Byrd football program. It was the second time that he has left the school. The first was to become the offensive coordinator at Fairmont State University. Fisher came back to One Eagle Way two years ago as Bruce Carey’s offensive coordinator. Last year he stepped back into the head coach role and was able to coach his son Cole in his senior season.
Fisher is the all-time winningest coach in Robert C. Byrd history and is one of the top offensive minds in the entire state. He led the Flying Eagles to their only undefeated regular season while competing on the AAA level. Most of the individual records at the school are held by players that blossomed under his tutelage.
Most fans know Fisher as a fiery ultra competitive coach that wore his heart on his sleeve. I had a chance to get to know him on a more personal level. I have had the distinct honor of calling every one of his games on the radio. During that time we spent extensive time conducting interviews and going over lineups. Years ago during his first stint at the Clarksburg based school, we would all gather for postgame meals. I got to know him in a way that fans didn’t. I learned how much he really loved his players and how much they meant to him. Fisher also has a deep love for his family, especially his children. He gave his heart and soul to his players and this school. His presence will be missed, both on and off of the field.
Some of you might have heard of Bryan’s older brother, Jimbo. He has teamed up with one of his assistant coaches at Florida State, Rick Trickett and Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban to raise money for the football programs of the schools in the southern part of the state that were devastated by flooding that took place a month ago.
Jimbo sent out a letter to high school coaches in Florida asking for donations that would enable those schools that were affected by the flooding to have a football season. Saban is doing his own form of fundraising in Bama and he even used the SEC Media Days event as a platform for his efforts.
Both head coaches are from the Mountain State and their high school careers helped to fuel their love for the game. They have received a great deal of media attention for their efforts. Hopefully that national focus will result in additional monies that will further help those in need.
For a pair of coaches that have won national championships to take time out of their schedules to help those in need, is a testament to their love for West Virginia.
I had the opportunity to meet Jimbo years ago just prior to him taking over the helm at Florida State. He was the offensive coordinator for the Seminoles at the time and it was the night before a big game at Maryland. We talked for a half an hour and it was like I had known him my entire life. A genuinely nice person that obviously cared about the place he calls home.
He started rattling off the names of the top players at every school in the county. It was amazing to me just how up to date he was with our area. Jimbo has never stopped caring about our community and his recent efforts are more proof of that.
That will do it for now. Until next week…take care and God Bless!
