Jimbo Fisher Cut Short Media Availability After Being Asked About Jameis Winston

Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher broke off a media Q&A period, after the media brought up Jameis Winston’s off-the-field problems. Fisher was asked if his reputation was taking a hit for supporting Winston.

"“Why is my reputation taking a hit? For backing a kid who has done nothing wrong?” Fisher said. “I don’t want to get into this. The questions weren’t supposed to be asked today. I’m done. I’m done.”"

Fisher was speaking at the Birmingham Monday Morning Quarterback club. According to CBS Sports, he said he was told the media would not ask about Winston’s off-the-field matters. The media were not told that.

[UPDATE: Here’s the video, via David]

“Done nothing wrong” is a charitable interpretation of “not charged due to insufficient evidence compiled by a flawed criminal investigation.” “Done nothing wrong” does not jive with Florida state proceeding with a student conduct code hearing under suspicion he may have done something wrong. But why should a high profile employee at a public institution be expected to use precise diction when discussing a sexual assault investigation?

If you don’t want your program’s integrity to be a matter for discussion, don’t praise it publicly after wins.