Fall Camp Q&A: Jimbo Fisher

Texas A&M's second fall camp under the watchful eye of Jimbo Fisher is underway.

As practices began the Voice of the Aggies, Andrew Monaco, sat down with Coach Fisher to get his thoughts about the dawn of the new season.

Coverage of fall camp is brought to the 12th Man all August long by Academy Sports + Outdoors.
 

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AM: Is fall camp a continuation of what this team has done in the offseason, the spring and the summer?
 
"It is, but really it's putting it together. You're just getting prepared to go out there, because at the end of the day, all those things…you've got to go play. Now can you play? Can you learn? Can you be consistent? And that's the challenge we want to have to have and see if we have a championship culture."
 
AM: You talk about that culture…that comes from your players themselves, doesn't it?
 
"Without a doubt. They have to think it, but more importantly they have to truly believe it. A lot of kids say things they don't truly believe or don't want the responsibility of. That's what we're here to make sure we understand, how to connect those two things of what we say and what we do. We have to connect them."
 
AM: With the players we've talked to in the spring and summer, there seems to be this ownership of leadership. Same thing, when that comes from your players that dovetails with your culture doesn't it?
 
"Exactly. They run the team. I just manage it. If I have to make all the decisions and do all the disciplinary things and handle a lot of the issues on this team, then we don't have a team. The players have to do it from within. They have to manage each other. If you're talking about major things, that's a different deal. But the day-to-day management of a team and the culture, the way guys act, the way they play, the way they approach things…that has to be done by the players."
 
AM: We had a chance to go around the state this summer for coach's nights. One thing that stood out was you said you were worried because (strength) Coach (Jerry) Schmidt was happy. That bothered you, didn't it?
 
"It did (smiling). But at least he said they know they know. They know what to do, now it's a matter of how many times in a row will they do it, to what levels will they go, and how will they keep as I say 'going higher'? how will they keep raising their game to the status of 'wherever I have to go, can I go there'? A lot of kids can do that now. But as your opponent goes higher, do you match it? Is there a competitive nature to go higher and expect to go higher and do whatever you have to do?"
 
AM: That speaks to the preparedness of the freshmen coming in, but it also speaks to the sophomores, juniors and seniors as well, setting the tone?
 
"Oh without a doubt. They have to set the tone. The freshmen need to look to them to see how to do things. But I'll say this. Our freshman class has been outstanding. I've been very pleased with their work ethic and demeanor. And the upperclassmen too. But they have to set that standard. (The freshmen) should be looking up, and whenever there is a question (the upperclassmen) should answer it."
 
AM: This is a different camp this year than it was last year, isn't it?
 
"Well, I think it is from the standpoint of they know what to expect now and how we're going to do things. Now it is 'do you embrace the grind', as I say. Embracing the grind is the key to this, and taking it higher. Where good enough isn't good enough anymore, and you have to go to a different level as far as your consistency levels—which I think we learned to do at the end of last year. But this is a different team. It doesn't have the same players anymore. They have to keep that culture and move on."
 
AM: Do you build now to getting away from hoping you can win to believing you can win?
 
"Well, we'll find out. That's not for me to say. That's up to them. That's going to be up to them and how they go about their business."
 
AM: What are you looking forward to seeing…development of players through fall camp?
 
"Well I am, you want that, but it's the culture. Your mindset. Your mindset is going to control everything. Do you truly believe what you're saying and do your actions match your words? We'll find out."