Grading Texas A&M football's coaching hires - Adam Cushing, OL
This was maybe the most scrutinized hire out of the entire staff—not because of Cushing himself, but because of the position he was taking over. The Aggie offensive line was an albatross around the neck of this team for the last two years, thanks in large part to the offensive scheme and coaching they received.
Otherwise physically gifted linemen were regularly allowing free rushers, sliding the wrong way, and making all kinds of mental mistakes under the previous regime. Given the inconsistency that caused the Aggie offense, these troubles were top of mind for fans.
Under Cushing, though, that has all but done an entire 180-degree turn. Where linemen were confused before, they are now moving with purpose; where they were previously completely lost, now they know exactly where to be.
The pass protection and run blocking both have been stellar for A&M. It is thanks to the big guys up front that the Ags now boast one of the leading rushing attacks in the SEC, and the clean pockets they've provided both Marcel Reed and Conner Weigman have not gone unnoticed.