Jimbo Fisher fired, Texas A&M coaching candidates: Coaching carousel, hot seat, who’s next by SEC insiders – CBS Sports

Texas A&M parted ways with head coach Jimbo Fisher even though the Aggies posted a commanding 51-10 win over Mississippi State last Saturday. The Aggies will have to pay Fisher a whopping transfer fee of $76.8 million. Texas A&M hasn’t won double-digit games in a season since 2012, so the Aggies are desperate for a head coach who can lead them to a spot in the College Football Playoff. Athletic director Ross Bjork must now scour the college football landscape in hopes of finding a head coach who can lead the Aggies out of mediocrity.

Texas A&M’s coaching search features breakout figures, including several from SEC rivals and teams currently vying for a spot in the College Football Playoff. If you love the Aggies or just want to know if their coach is the next target, be sure to read what the trusted insider team says at GigEm247, the 247Sports affiliate that covers Texas A&M.

The GigEm247 team of Texas A&M insiders provides updates on local developments, including insights from Jeff Tarpley, who has served the team for more than 25 years and has deep connections within and around the A&M community. Tarpley led GigEm247 to report an unfiltered look at the behind-the-scenes conversations that ultimately led to Texas A&M parting ways with head coach Jimbo Fisher.

And right now GigEm247 is offering 60% off annual subscriptions*, so now is the time to sign up.

The GigEm team already has a list of 10 potential candidates and there are some surprising names on the list. Head over to GigEm247 now to see them all.

Top candidates for Texas A&M head coach

One name the staff has identified as a potential candidate is Mike Elko, the head football coach at Duke. With a 15-8 record at Duke, Elko is at the top of many coaching search lists after the 46-year-old found success at a program widely known for its football struggles. Add to that the fact that Elko has a direct connection to the Aggies and you can see why he’s an intriguing name in this particular search.

Elko was Texas A&M’s defensive coordinator from 2018 to 2021, a run that culminated when he led a dominant Aggies unit that gave up just 15.9 points per game in 2021 and ranked third nationally in scoring defense . Elko wouldn’t be the star recruit that Fisher was in 2017, but with the ties to College Station and the competency he showed in Durham, it’s a route the Aggies could certainly take if they’re trying to get back in to prepare for the top league of the SEC.

Another name on the list is familiar to the coaching carousel and SEC fans: Lane Kiffin. He has a 31-15 record at Ole Miss, and the Rebels’ only mistakes this season came on the road against Alabama and Georgia. Kiffin is an established recruiter and has proven he can bring in big names in the transfer portal.

Texas A&M has had recruiting success under Fisher, but Kiffin could bring new energy to a program that has been lacking since Johnny Manziel’s departure from College Station. Kiffin and the Rebels have an explosive offense and are averaging 36.6 points per game, which ranks 17th nationally. Kiffin would certainly be an eye-catching addition for the Aggies. You can find more candidates at GigEm247.

How to get inside updates for the Texas A&M coaching search

The rest of the list of 10 names to know includes three coaches currently in the hunt for the College Football Playoff and one shocking NFL head coach “worth a call.” See who it is at GigEm247.

Who are the top names in Texas A&M’s coaching search as the Aggies look to replace Jimbo Fisher, and what surprisingly big NFL name might be included? Head over to GigEm247 to see their hotboard and more, all from a team of reporters with decades of experience covering the Aggies, and find out. And as a reminder, GigEm247 is offering 60% off an annual VIP membership as a coaching search special, so subscribe now before it’s too late.

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