As a senior student at Samford University Fisher was the 1987 NCAA Division III National Player of the Year. From 2000 until 2006 he served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at LSU. From 2007 to 2009 he was offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach and, beginning in 2007, head coach-in-waiting for the Florida State Seminoles. Bobby Bowden, Florida State's head coach of 34 years, retired after the team's appearance in its 28th consecutive bowl game on 1 January 2010. Fisher took over as head coach soon after. Florida State is Fisher's first head coaching position and he led them to a 10–4 record during his first season. His inaugural year marked FSU's first 10-win season since 2003 and first appearance in the ACC Championship Game since 2005.