But spend a little time with the Montana junior linebacker and his family traits seep through - sort of like Brandon on his crowd-pleasing QB sack in Saturday's 29-10 win over Idaho State.
Like his father, Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher, Brandon is a positive guy oozing with intelligence. Unlike his dad, who utilizes his even keel as the NFL's longest tenured coach, Brandon is more inclined to pump his fist when he deems necessary.
“It kind of seemed like the defense was a little down,” said Brandon, revealing his perfectionism as it pertains to a unit that has allowed just 10 points per game on average the past six weeks.
“We didn't have the same emotion we've had. So you've got the north end zone right there, and you're trying to get them into it.”
Even on a down day, the Griz defense still delivered against a dangerous Bengals passing attack. In the process, Fisher boosted his tackles total to 39 - fourth best on his team and quite an accomplishment considering he tallied 23 in his first two seasons.
Relatively speaking, you might argue Brandon is having just as big a season as his dad. Right Brandon?
“Two guys, both successful,” the amicable junior said with a smile. “We'll see at the end who has had the better one. Hopefully one of us will win a championship.”
“Coach Fish” maintains close contact with his oldest son, who caught the Montana bug long ago after Jeff purchased a vacation cabin in the Treasure State.
Dad was watching on the sidelines at Eastern Washington five weeks ago when the Griz delivered a season-best defensive performance in a 19-3 win. Brandon, in turn, watches dad on NFL Ticket when he's not busy with his other passion.
“I usually hunt and then call and talk to him afterwards,” he said. “We talk after every game. He's a dad just like other dads. But if I need to talk to him about football, he's there and I can.”
One advantage of growing up around NFL players is seeing first-hand how much work it requires. Brandon has picked up “bits and pieces” from players too numerous to mention, including ex-Titans Steve McNair and Eddie George, who came within a yard of a Super Bowl title in 2000.
“Ninety-nine percent of those guys just work their ass off,” Brandon said. “You're around it constantly and just try to buy into it. I've always felt like I had to outwork people to have a chance.”
The Griz defense seems to share that mindset. Maybe that's why it has thrived despite inexperience and injuries.
“Team speed is a big thing for us,” Brandon Fisher said. “But how we prepare every week is even bigger. It's a smart defense. Guys know what they're doing every play and get in the right spots.”
Few expected the Titans or Griz to go undefeated. The Titans (9-0) have a chance, but not even the Fishers expect it.
Saturday revealed just how far the Griz are from being perfect. Worse yet, we may all be mourning the end of Montana's streak of 10 straight Big Sky Conference championships next week.
But then the Griz will start over, just like every team in the NFL and FCS that reaches the playoffs. At that point we'll find out for sure how much passion Brandon Fisher and his battered Griz buddies have for football.
“This is where teams are made or broken,” said the linebacker, who wants to follow in his father's NFL coaching footsteps. “We've got guys that are going to have to heal up, but everybody is banged up at this point.
“If we want to take this thing deep we're going to have to get better. But this is one of the few places where a national championship is a realistic goal every year. I think that's what's special about this place.”
So special it could pull a warm-weather Tennessee kid away from a father capable of driving Titans.
Sports columnist Bill Speltz can be reached at 523-5255 or bill.speltz@lee.net.
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