It was after the Texas loss that Collin Klein decided to pack up his bags and move to Manhattan, Kansas, to take the Kansas State head coaching job. If you're Klein, how do you deny the opportunity to coach your alma mater?
Now, with defensive coordinator Jay Bateman also out the door, it provides a new look for Mike Elko right before this playoff game against Miami.
Collin Klein will still be coaching Texas A&M for the playoff game, but the vibe already feels different with Klein staying for the remainder of the season and Lyle Hemphill set to take Bateman's chair.
CFP for Texas A&M already looks a lot different than what fans would've imagined
Luckily, Lemphill has a history with Elko at Duke, and after Hemphill was signed as the associate head coach before this season, he now has all that he needs to take over for Bateman. Although this wasn't the plan that Aggies fans had hoped for going into the playoff game, the Aggies are still in good hands.
The best-case scenario would've been for both coaches not to announce their leaving until the end of the A&M season, but of course, that's not the coaches' fault. It's up to the NCAA to correct this debacle following the Lane Kiffin saga that has plagued the Ole Miss players and fans this season.
This may not be what was in mind before the playoffs, but make no mistake about it. The Aggies' coaching staff is in great hands. Klein will stay to coach the remainder of the season, and Hemphill brings some great experience to step in as DC.
The Aggies' defense has some great momentum after watching their own, Cashius Howell, win the SEC Defensive Player of the Year. This gives Hemphill a ton of juice to work with before they face the Canes.