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In theory, the Texas A&M Aggies have one of the most attractive coaching jobs in all of college football.
They play in the most successful, and most lucrative conference in the country. They have a comically large budget and incredible resources, and they’re located in one of the most talent-rich states in the country.
In practice, however, that hasn’t turned out to be the case.
Since the glory days of Homer Norton in the 1930s, coach by coach has gone by the wayside.
Sure, there have been moments of success. Bear Bryant went 9-0-1 in 1965. R.C. Slocum went 42-6 from 1991-1994.
But the Aggies haven’t been able to get back to the national championship heights they so badly dream of.
So yes, in theory it’s a great. But there may well just be something rotten in the water.
Which is why Oregon head coach Dan Lanning, presumably one of Texas A&M’s top target, appears to be taking a pass.
Dan Lanning Joins Mike Norvell In Shutting Down Talk Of Texas A&M Job
“Everything I want exists right here,” Lanning said Monday night. “I’m not going anywhere. There’s zero chance that I would be coaching somewhere else. I’ve got unfinished business here…We have the resources, the tools, anybody that can’t understand why you would want to be at this place, doesn’t understand exactly what exists here.”
Lanning is in his second season in Eugene and could well lead the Ducks to College Football Playoff if they win out. And with Oregon set to join the Big Ten in 2024, it’s easy to see why he wouldn’t want to leave.
But it’s still a blow to the Aggies.
Lanning joins Florida State coach Mike Norvell as top targets to dismiss the Aggies.
“There’s not really any point to talk about it, in a sense,” Norvell said on Monday. “It’s funny how sometimes those things get out there and people want to try to use that, especially in recruiting and things like that.
“I tell recruits, I told recruits two years ago, a lot of these guys we are recruiting now, it’s funny, two years ago every coach was talking about ‘well how long is he going to be there? Better win some games or he’s not.’ I told them then, I said ‘watch, in two years everyone is going to be trying to use the other thing.’”
Time for Plan B in College Station?