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  • you guys aren't going to believe this, but i may have misjudged the potential floor here.

  • closetojumping
    closetojumping

    Aggie - Fisher - Plan 2024 Synopsis, as I've come to hear about it: Spoilered for the tl;dr crowd that doesn't give a shit and doesn't want to scroll.  

  • closetojumping
    closetojumping

    I have to tell you, I don't know if I can handle this if it is true. They are speculating on the aggie 247 board that, because Elijah Robinson is still an employee at Texas A&M and because he is c

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Am I the only one that hears traylor and thinks he sounds kinda dim? I know dumb coaches can and have won, but shit, I am rooting for him to take the job in CS. I think it has potential to tank them. 

47 minutes ago, Rickylovesweed said:

The rumor on the SEC rant board is that Marcus Freeman might want the job. 

 

Maybe if they join forces they can finally overcome the Sun Belt. 

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37 minutes ago, Pato del Muerto said:

Ok. Then why would aggy want a coach that can’t get it done at NOTRE DAME

Ask LSU.

Notre Dame is a shit job.  It’s only great if you’re a die hard Catholic and you’re winning.  They can get fucked.  A.M.D.G.

Who’s Traylor’s agent? I don’t think it’s Sexton. Because if Traylor is smart he knows ATM is over a barrel and he can probably get 45 million fully guaranteed. If he had Sexton I’d say it would be a certainty. 

2 hours ago, SydneyCarton said:

Who’s Traylor’s agent? I don’t think it’s Sexton. Because if Traylor is smart he knows ATM is over a barrel and he can probably get 45 million fully guaranteed. If he had Sexton I’d say it would be a certainty. 

Trace Armstrong 

All the Traylor talk makes it more likely it's Elko with the Traylor talk just lowering the expectation bar so if can be climbed over.

9 hours ago, nnm said:

It’s absolutely mind bottling. Pay $76mm to get rid of a guy so you can hire Jeff Traylor?  He’s making $2.5mm at UTSA. No doubt they can get him for 5. So next year they’re going to pay Jimbo 7.5 not to coach and Traylor 5 to coach. 
aggy math at work, gentlemen. 

aggy New Math at work.

The whole article is about how he wouldn't change and wouldn't listen to criticism.  Hmm.  What could it be that enabled that behavior?

3 minutes ago, ClubWhatever said:

The whole article is about how he wouldn't change and wouldn't listen to criticism.  Hmm.  What could it be that enabled that behavior?

Dunno, I can’t quite put my finger on it….

 

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8 hours ago, msucolt45 said:

If Elko actually turns aggy down, then IMO it’s Traylor’s job, which I don’t think he’ll turn down, especially after sending his kids to be aggy (both boy and girl).

Hook’em!!!

He sent two kids to a&m? Jesus, they should hope he’s a better coach than father. 

9 hours ago, billfromlaketravis said:

I like you dude, so I’ll go easy. Yes he’s a big deal in East Texas. So we’re deeply screwed in Jasper, Newton, and especially Gilmer. But 95% of the Texas 100 reside in the suburbs. That’s not to say we won’t take some L’s, but it’s going to be in very small towns. Given how the state is booming, I can live with that. 

It's more likely their recruiting will take a hit. Jimbo was bringing in highly ranked players. Their bet must be that Traylor will get more out the players, and success will help recruiting based on performance.

 

9 hours ago, Pato del Muerto said:

Ok. Then why would aggy want a coach that can’t get it done at NOTRE DAME

He's bound to be a "sitting" something.

A sitting coach who has never lost a conference game at his current job.

There you go.

Really wondering how the recruiting dynamic changes with either an Elko or Traylor hire. With how they are paying off Jimbo via the athletic fund it seen clear there was already some in-fighting going on and the high level donors aren't pulling in the same direction.. All I've heard on the Elko/Traylor debate is that it's heated and split. 

20 minutes ago, MonkeyDoughnut said:

Really wondering how the recruiting dynamic changes with either an Elko or Traylor hire. With how they are paying off Jimbo via the athletic fund it seen clear there was already some in-fighting going on and the high level donors aren't pulling in the same direction.. All I've heard on the Elko/Traylor debate is that it's heated and split. 

Maybe the going rate for defensive tackles will be reset since one coach won’t be trying to build a roster for an 11-0 defense. 

Edited by Reynolds Woodcock

I don't know how A&M stakeholders didn't coalesce around firing Bjork, too.  You know they had to consider it. 

15 minutes ago, Teryor said:

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oh no! lol

Say Word Lol GIF by Desus & Mero

1 hour ago, LCHorn said:

I don't know how A&M stakeholders didn't coalesce around firing Bjork, too.  You know they had to consider it. 

Yeah Welsh should have walked that psycho out the door Monday morning. 
 

I guess Biork has juice right now. 

1 hour ago, LCHorn said:

I don't know how A&M stakeholders didn't coalesce around firing Bjork, too.  You know they had to consider it. 

He didn't hire Jimbo.

I think they all were on board with that.  Sharp doesn't really want to even mention Jimbo's by name I would bet because he's just as culpable.

Edited by kevwun

11 hours ago, bluto said:

Am I the only one that hears traylor and thinks he sounds kinda dim? I know dumb coaches can and have won, but shit, I am rooting for him to take the job in CS. I think it has potential to tank them. 

He can't be all that bright if he has two kids who went to aggy. 

1 minute ago, kevwun said:

I think they all were on board with that.  Sharp doesn't really want to even mention Jimbo's by name I would bet because he's just as culpable.

All I know is that if someone lost $76m of my money I'd want to see more blood on the streets than Jimbo's firing. 

For god's sake it's A&M; they are firing professors for saying mean things about Dan Patrick and NO money was lost there.  I thought these O&G guys prided themselves on their savvy business sense. 

That stupid buyout is already a point of pride for them though.  Because it shows how committed to excellence they are or some other nonsense.  In a normal environment, may people would get fired for the original contract and extension because the terms were so stupid.  I agree with you on that.

Edited by kevwun

3 minutes ago, LCHorn said:

All I know is that if someone lost $76m of my money I'd want to see more blood on the streets than Jimbo's firing. 

For god's sake it's A&M; they are firing professors for saying mean things about Dan Patrick and NO money was lost there.  I thought these O&G guys prided themselves on their savvy business sense. 

I see you haven't had much interaction with management at HAL, SLB and the like.

12 hours ago, Rickylovesweed said:

We're gonna take some Ls with any coach because aggy is willing to buy players. 

But anybody that's more scared of a dude well-liked by the THSCA vs Lanning/Malchow simply isn't paying attention. This is another one of the hilarious narratives about Traylor. Being well-liked in Texas high school circles means jack shit. 

So who was upset at Tech getting Joey McQuire? Weren't he and Traylor the two next great coaches?

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6 minutes ago, Longhornfrenzy said:

Don't worry guys. He's all aggy. It's just a fact of finding mission..lol

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That recruiting update is fucking outstanding. That guy is not just offering hope, he's pushing improvement in the ATM class. As multiple recruits are planning visits to numerous other schools now, Brauninger is dismissing the notion that any of them will walk, and then promoting the notion of a decommitment coming back into the fold. I don't think that kind of audacious gaslighting could be pulled off with any other college football fanbase outside of ATM. Holy shit.

11 minutes ago, Longhornfrenzy said:

Don't worry guys. He's all aggy. It's just a fact of finding mission..lol

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Yeah, this stuff ... these guys are just so incredibly insecure and cowardly.  They have to couch any negative news in the most contrived bullshit they can come up with.

"Hi, Tyanthony - what brings you to Texas?"

"I am on a reconnaissance and fact-finding trip."

 

 

Laugh Artist GIF by HEY! STEPH


 

 

 

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I like you babe, but Imma go out on a date with this hotter, less crazy chic for fact finding.

2 hours ago, MonkeyDoughnut said:

Really wondering how the recruiting dynamic changes with either an Elko or Traylor hire. With how they are paying off Jimbo via the athletic fund it seen clear there was already some in-fighting going on and the high level donors aren't pulling in the same direction.. All I've heard on the Elko/Traylor debate is that it's heated and split. 

Ha, well, allegedly there shouldn't be a split anymore. Either Elko opted to stay at Duke, or he's playing the ultimate power move to make A&M give him an obscene contract. Either way, the half of the boosters are going to be super pissed that they either missed on Elko, or that Elko and Sexton then fleeced them like the Aggies they are...and I am fucking here for it. 

1 hour ago, BurntOrange&White said:

didn't he give him that raise tho?

That was mostly Sharp. Lets not pretend we don't know who has the power in CS. 

39 minutes ago, Tx74 said:

So who was upset at Tech getting Joey McQuire? Weren't he and Traylor the two next great coaches?

I believe Traylor turned down Tech. 

9 minutes ago, SydneyCarton said:

I believe Traylor turned down Tech. 

yeah, they hired the guy who is the exact same archetype but with less experience.

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1 minute ago, NoName said:

yeah, they hired the guy who is the exact same archetype but with less experience.

But one more DUI I believe

2 minutes ago, NoName said:

yeah, they hired the guy who is the exact same archetype but with less experience.

You know, one could interpret your comment as criticism of a Traylor hire. He's bascially Joey McGuire, is that what you're saying?

 

Hattersley on Aggie 247 had an article on current commits;  he touched upon, but soft peddled the concerns. 

And then had this in the Q&A ... 

 

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1 hour ago, SydneyCarton said:

Ha, well, allegedly there shouldn't be a split anymore. Either Elko opted to stay at Duke, or he's playing the ultimate power move to make A&M give him an obscene contract.

Good timing with Michigan State being open. Elko will be able to play the two to get a 7M+/yr deal done between one of those. Aggy can't be cheap if they really want Elko.

Good timing with Michigan State being open. Elko will be able to play the two to get a 7M+/yr deal done between one of those. Aggy can't be cheap if they really want Elko.

7m?

Jimbos getting 7m to not coach. I see Elko getting at least 8m. And free food at Applebees for life.
1 hour ago, closetojumping said:

I don't think that kind of audacious gaslighting could be pulled off with any other college football fanbase outside of ATM. Holy shit.

That really is their sweet spot. God bless 'em.

That said, how bad are the decommits really going to get? All these guys committed to hot seat Jimbo and his prehistoric offense coming off 5-7 in year 6.  Does his leaving really change the calculus? Maybe the current commits use it as leverage to get back to the bargaining table, but I don't see much of an exodus like we would in the pre-NIL days. Their recruiting has punched way, way above their weight this cycle considering the state of their program. Back in the day, they would have been lucky to land in the top 20 with all things being equal. They finished #17 in Jimbo's transition year with a bunch of last minute mercenaries IIRC.  

16 minutes ago, Mitch Cumsteen said:

That really is their sweet spot. God bless 'em.

That said, how bad are the decommits really going to get? All these guys committed to hot seat Jimbo and his prehistoric offense coming off 5-7 in year 6.  Does his leaving really change the calculus? Maybe the current commits use it as leverage to get back to the bargaining table, but I don't see much of an exodus like we would in the pre-NIL days. Their recruiting has punched way, way above their weight this cycle considering the state of their program. Back in the day, they would have been lucky to land in the top 20 with all things being equal. They finished #17 in Jimbo's transition year with a bunch of last minute mercenaries IIRC.  

Fisher, while deeply flawed in so many ways, could recruit. The "NIL" they have access to didn't hurt, but that little elf could sell a ketchup popsicle to a woman wearing white gloves. 

Traylor was a solid recruiter on Herman's staff. He'll be fine at ATM, should he get the gig, but he's not on Fisher's level. Obviously, his staff will be key in that regard as well. 

Elko was a good recruiter at ATM, but that was via leaning heavily on Robinson. He'd be able to keep most of the class together. 

No matter who lands the job, gravity is a bitch. This would still be a transition class for a new hire with no momentum at an unhappy, moribund program trapped inside the triangle of major recruiting powers around them, all with better momentum. That will weigh things down. I think it is safe to assume that there will be further attrition in the class and the future additions will take a hit in quality. 

2 hours ago, closetojumping said:

The "NIL" they have access to didn't hurt, but that little elf could sell a ketchup popsicle to a woman wearing white gloves. 

 

Yeah, I think almost everyone here probably undervalues Jimbo as a recruiter even with "NIL."

His floor has been top 10 classes for nearly 15 years and his ceiling is top 5 in a lot of those years. The idea that any of the candidates are at the level of Jimbo in recruiting is a complete guess and more fiction than fact. 

 

You really have to hand it to Auburn for recruiting an in-state 5*. Coach of the century stuff.

What the hell has gotten into Auburn this cycle? Where are they getting this kind of money?

  • Popular Post

 

 

Scattershooting A&M's coaching search: Bjork & Co. casting a wide net

By Billy Liucci

November 17, 2023

I've spent a few days doing some serious sourcing and checking in at virtually every level of what can still be described as the early stages of the Texas A&M coaching search. 

And since I've pretty much been providing every pretend insider on Twitter and across social media with their “updates” via various TexAgs Radio and podcast appearances, I figured I'd provide you all — and all of those who have zero shame in claiming my information as their own — with some thoughts and insight on the process while also providing a “wishlist” of my own.

For starters, there is what's been described to me as “incredible interest” in this job.

Not surprising at all, but I've been told that even Ross Bjork and those assisting him in the head coaching search have been pretty floored by the coaches who have reached out.

I also had a well-placed source tell me yesterday that the Aggie AD has visited in some capacity with no fewer than 15 candidates as the Aggies prepare to whittle down the initial list. I'll mention several of those candidates scattered throughout this article.

• Let's start with three names I'm certain Bjork and the Aggies will meet with or have met with already: Duke's Mike Elko, UTSA's Jeff Traylor and Lance Leipold of Kansas. As I said during last night's “Ask Liucci” segment, I fully expect these three to remain real players into next week. As Kirk Bohls of the Austin American-Statesman reported on Thursday, and as I'd been saying was going to happen, Bjork met with Traylor a couple of days ago via Zoom for what was described to me as an “introductory meeting.” That's how most of the initial meetings between Ross and the various candidates will go.

The hopeful timeline is still to have something locked in and ready to roll prior to the portal opening on December 4.

• I mention the early part of next week because, after a full week of intros and paring down the list, I'd expect a little more of that from Bjork (who will be flying to some of the destinations) and the Aggie brass beginning again on Sunday. Sometime around the middle of next week, I think you'll start to see the list whittled down to a small handful of finalists. The hopeful timeline is still to have something locked in and ready to roll prior to the portal opening on December 4. Or in the days following the Aggies' regular-season finale at LSU.

• I continue to hear great things about Elijah Robinson's first week as the Ags' interim head coach. Practices have been incredibly lively and energetic (and fun!), and participation is off the charts (not many guys missing due to being banged up). Robinson has not only impressed everyone in Bright and in the Aggie locker room, but he's also turning heads department-wide.

E-Rob was so impressive during the Monday presser that I've received several calls since from folks who matter telling me how proud they were to have the revered defensive line coach currently sitting in that chair. It's still a longshot, but Robinson has impressed enough that the possibility of him beating LSU and making a strong case for the job isn't out of the realm of possibility.

• Dan Campbell? If you've been listening, I tried to make it pretty clear from day one that the Aggie AD would absolutely attempt to gauge preliminary interest in the job but also cautioned that the A&M legend and Detroit Lions head coach wasn't going to be a real option.

He's one of the hottest names in football, and loves Texas A&M University more than I can put into words, but Campbell is also the most loyal and appreciative person I've ever met. He has poured himself into the Lions and the entire city of Detroit and believes the organization and city are on the verge of something special.

He is going to see things through in the Motor City, but I still hold out hope that he's the man running the show in Aggieland someday a little further down the road. Maybe A&M's head coach following this particular hire.

• I've mentioned more than once that the response is about what you'd expect for a job the magnitude of Texas A&M to draw on the open market. Forget what a lifetime Aggie-hater like Joel Klatt says; the reality is that everyone in the coaching profession understands that the A&M head coaching position is no worse than a top-10 job nationally and probably significantly better than that, all things considered.

The former Texas A&M TE said in a Friday media availability that he would do everything he can to help the University in its search for its next head coach.

Regardless, the interest the job has drawn includes more than a couple of names that would probably shake up the national conversation quite a bit if word got out. I won't reveal anything at this time because I still think we're talking about “extreme longshot” type stuff, but the thing to keep an eye on here are coaches who, for whatever reason, may be unhappy or feel underappreciated at their current spots, no matter how great the talking heads and that particular fan base would convince you they currently have it.

Think Jimbo Fisher at Florida State, Brian Kelly at Notre Dame, Lincoln Riley at Oklahoma… there are plenty of examples and they're out there annually. To whatever degree, I think the current list possibly fitting that criteria would include Riley at USC, Dabo Swinney, Ryan Day (if he loses to Michigan again next weekend) and Brian Kelly (though Michigan is the one to watch when it comes to the current LSU head man).

• The conference that is most interesting to me right now in terms of potential A&M targets? The Pac-12. I guess I'll start by explaining in a little better detail than most why Oregon's Dan Lanning isn't an option. The short and sweet version? That $20 million buyout everyone references is actually north of $40 million and possibly even approaching $50 million. There's apparently a Nike component that was added after one year in Eugene that makes Lanning's buyout the most prohibitive in college football if not in college football history.

I guess I'll start by explaining in a little better detail than most why Dan Lanning isn't an option. The short and sweet version? That $20 million buyout everyone references is actually north of $40 million and possibly even approaching $50 million.

Moving around the league, however, there are some interesting options if you're Ross Bjork and A&M.

Remember when I first talked about the hire and said the likelihood would be that the Ags would not be spending Jimbo Fisher-type money on his eventual replacement but that the right coach could certainly draw the Aggies up to make something big happen? Washington's Kalen DeBoer would certainly fit that description. The word I've heard is that the man who currently has the Huskies sitting at No. 5 with a Heisman candidate in Michael Penix Jr. leading the charge and a 100-11 coaching record is absolutely on the Ags' early list.

He has staying power, as well, but the issue could center around timing, as the Huskies could be playing for a while. Additionally, UW is already reportedly negotiating a raise and extension, so DeBoer will be a tough — but not impossible — pull.

A couple of names that several rival coaches around the country consistently mention to me are Oregon State's Jonathan Smith and Jedd Fisch of Arizona. Smith currently has the Beavers at No. 11 as they prepare to close the regular season with showdowns against Washington and Oregon. I've been told he's impressive as hell and someone who was on the Aggies' very early radar. The same can be said for the 47-year-old Fisch, who one Pac-12 rival said has been the toughest staff/team for his squad to prepare for and play against over the last two seasons.

I know the two names aren't going to generate big waves on TexAgs or throughout A&M's social media circles, but they've certainly drawn at least some level of early consideration from the Maroon & White and have tremendous reputations nationally.

Just a couple of names to file away when focusing on the big names and also the more likely finalists.

Matt Rhule certainly made a name for himself in this part of the country for his turnaround in Waco of the Baylor Bears.

• Matt Rhule has only been at Nebraska one year, but what he did at Baylor makes him somewhat of a known commodity in this part of the country. I’d simply file this one away as a name to watch if, and only if, Rhule made it clear to the decision-makers in Aggieland that he would be interested. Certainly someone who possesses a lot of the traits laid about by Bjork stated he’s looking for in the program’s next head coach.

• Moving through the Big 12, Leipold is a surefire candidate, in my opinion, and Bjork may also give Kansas State's Chris Klieman a look. An interesting possibility for the Aggies? How about TCU's Sonny Dykes? The second-year boss in Fort Worth checks more than a few of the boxes 

Still, if there's a most likely candidate from A&M’s former league, I think Leipold is the one to watch the most closely.

• Finally, don't 100 percent rule out the coaches publicly saying they're not interested in the job. While I don't even envision Lane Kiffin donning the Maroon & White at Kyle Field or Coach Prime leaving his sons, Shedeur & Shiloh, and Travis Hunter behind in Boulder, comments such as the ones each coach made this week when asked about the A&M job have been made by basically every coach who has ever left one program for another.

There should be a video library dedicated to such viral sound bites over the years

Edited by Longhornfrenzy

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