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There is a lot of excitement surrounding Texas A&M's search for a new defensive coordinator to replace Mark Snyder, but things have been pretty quiet so far this week. After the opening was announced, we posted our list of prospects and most of the names still seem to be in play. Discussion remains focused on big-name candidates, since money is reportedly not an issue for this hire.
Still very early but word is that Sumlin has been told that "money will not be a hindering factor" in A&M's DC search.
— Billy Liucci (@billyliucci) November 28, 2014
Dismissed Florida head coach Will Muschamp is the most intriguing name on the board to fill Texas A&M's defensive coordinator position. ESPN's Chris Low anticipates a bidding war among several schools including A&M, Auburn, and South Carolina that should drive the price for Muschamp's services north of $1.5 million annually. Auburn Undercover in the 247Sports network reports that Muschamp plans to take his time in making a decision, according to their source. If this is true, things may stay pretty quiet for as long as Muschamp is the top choice for the Aggies.
This article from 2010 shows that Virginia Tech's Bud Foster will receive his $800K annuity for staying through the 2014 season. Presumably this includes the bowl game and may affect Texas A&M's timeline.
We learned earlier this week that Clemson's Brent Venables denied interest in the Texas A&M defensive coordinator position.
"I have a great job here. Are you kidding me? No, I love where we’re at, and I’ve only been a couple of places," Venables told TigerNet. "I am a loyal guy, and if you want to talk about somebody that is the epitome of All In, I have always been that way. I am not wired like that. Wherever that came from, that is news to me. I am just getting ready to take my wife out to dinner tonight – I am way overdue."
Of course, we've seen coaches make statements like this and then jump ship weeks later so take the statement with a grain of salt. And there's also this tweet from TexAgs.com's Billy Liucci on the matter.
And so it begins...Clemson sites report Venables 'turns down' A&M offer despite not being so much as contacted (agent or otherwise) by Ags
— Billy Liucci (@billyliucci) November 30, 2014
Michigan State's Pat Narduzzi feels like a longshot, and he may be a candidate for head coaching positions.
Odds on next Nebraska coach from @BovadaLV : Scott Frost, 5/2; Greg Schiano 15/4; Tom Herman, 4/1; Pat Narduzzi 9/2; Jim McElwain, 5/1.
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) December 1, 2014
I would be surprised if Narduzzi leaves MSU for another coordinator job. Several folks I talked to believed he would finally make jump to HC
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) November 28, 2014
Sam Khan Jr. who covers A&M for ESPN, says to keep an eye out for Houston's David Gibbs and Gene Chizik as dark horse candidates.
@ViNCE__11 If not Muschamp, I'd keep an eye on Brent Venables and Pat Narduzzi. Also, David Gibbs, Gene Chizik as possible dark horses.
— Sam Khan Jr. (@skhanjr) November 29, 2014