Tier List: Ranking Texas A&M Football Head Coaching Candidates

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S tier hires for Texas A&M football

Don’t ask me why S is the top tier. I do not know and I will not look it up.

Nov 18, 2023; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe (left) interviews Washington Huskies head Coach Kalen DeBoer after the game at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

Kalen DeBoer: DeBoer is the prize in the mind of many Aggie fans. He has compiled an extremely impressive record already at Washington, and his overall head coaching record of 101-11 beggars belief—especially when you realize that six of those losses took place in the few years when he was at Fresno State. He brings a high-flying offensive style that so many Texas A&M football fans have been yearning for in the last few years. His recruiting is a bit of an unknown, but I think the immediate success he would have would commend itself. The worry is that he would make it to the playoff and the timing would not line up.

Dan Lanning, a lead candidate for Texas A&M football

Oct 21, 2023; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning looks onto the field during the second half against the Washington State Cougars at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

Dan Lanning: I know, I know, the press conference. But there’s been just the smallest amount of smoke around Lanning recently that has me rethinking whether he’s completely off the table. I don’t need to rehash why this would be the perfect fit: great job at Oregon so far, lights-out recruiting, experience in the SEC, etc. It’s a long, long shot right now… but it’s worth keeping in mind.

Oct 7, 2023; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell looks on during the second half against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports /

Mike Norvell: This would be the funniest thing ever. I would grab a bag of popcorn and park myself in front of a computer that is constantly refreshing Danny Kannell’s Twitter feed if this happened. It may not be a pipe dream, either: Norvell has connections to Texas and former Aggie OC Darrell Dickey. I see fewer reasons for him to make this jump as compared to Lanning or DeBoer, unless the same motivating factors that led Jimbo to do so are still present—which is entirely possible.

Nov 4, 2023; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman watches his team play against the Clemson Tigers during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports /

Marcus Freeman: Speaking of places that are stingy with their funds because they want to lean on a name brand rather than investing in their program, Notre Dame has a guy that would work pretty well as head coach of Texas A&M football. They’ve hamstrung Freeman a bit in the resource department, but he would have no such issue here. He’s a Midwest guy, but with the recruiting team that he and Elijah Robinson would make, I’d put them up against anyone in the conference.

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