TALLAHASSEE — The first question Jimbo Fisher received during his radio call-in show Wednesday night expressed gratitude.
"Thanks for coaching us, Jimbo," the caller said.
"I love it," Fisher responded.
About 20 minutes later, a young fan bashfully asked if Fisher was going to return as Florida State's coach next season.
"Listen, I love it here. I really do," Fisher said while flashing a huge grin. "So just be patient. We're good."
The response during Fisher's last public appearance before Saturday's game against rival Florida was his most firm response regarding LSU coaching rumors in recent weeks.
Fisher is slated to lead Florida State practice on Thursday night before the Seminoles have Thanksgiving dinner as a team, then a walk-through Friday before the game at 8 p.m. in Doak Campbell Stadium.
He could also be fielding calls or offers from LSU for the job, as the Tigers reportedly plan to swiftly begin their hiring process after playing Texas A&M on Thursday night.
Fisher, who won a national championship at LSU as Nick Saban's offensive coordinator in 2003, is the top candidate for the LSU job. But the Tigers could wait to hear from Houston coach Tom Herman, who is a top candidate to replace Charlie Strong at Texas, which will likely lengthen the process.
Just like the thought of losing Fisher to another school was hard for callers in attendance at a local hotel, Fisher's former quarterback also acknowledged he could not picture his coach anywhere but his current job.
"I can't imagine Florida State without Coach Fisher," Jameis Winston told media in Tampa Bay as the Buccaneers prepare for a matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday
"We really just talked about we got Florida this week. That's a bigger thing than anything else. He loves Florida State, so I can't."
FSU was 26-1 in games Winston started for Fisher, winning the national championship in 2013. Fisher has led the Seminoles to three Atlantic Coast Conference championships, won a school record 29 consecutive games from 2012-14. His 76 FBS wins since taking over for Bobby Bowden at FSU is second to only Saban's 83 at Alabama during that span.
After falling short of back-to-back titles in 2014, the Seminoles are in the midst of their second consecutive three-loss season. With a win over Florida and in a bowl game, FSU hopes to reach 10 wins for the fifth consecutive season.
Fisher enters what could be his final home game as FSU coach amid rumors about the LSU job for the second consecutive season. He reportedly entered negotiations to become LSU's coach last season before state and school officials opted to retain Les Miles.
Once Miles was fired in September, Fisher politely declined to comment further on the position.
As his name has been linked to the job in recent weeks, he has taken the same position while mentioning his love for his current post.
During Wednesday's ACC coaches teleconference, one day after denying comment on whether he has addressed the rumors with his players or vice versa, Fisher said his players know they can freely approach him with any questions regarding the chatter.
"I'm very happy at Florida State," Fisher said. "I'm fully invested at Florida State and working my tail off to play a great Florida team. They know that. We're going to go about our business."
Email Safid Deen at sdeen@orlandosentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter at @osfsu and like our Florida State Facebook page for the latest updates on the Seminoles.