Texas A&M can, should and will speak to a large number of people to find Jimbo Fisher's replacement. You don't fire your coach on Nov. 12 to run a narrow search.
One of those conversations was with Dan Campbell, as it should have been.
Campbell played tight end for Texas A&M from 1995-98, then crafted an 11-year NFL career at the position.
In two-and-a-half seasons as the Detroit Lions' head coach, Campbell has taken the NFL's most downtrodden franchise from 3-13-1, to 9-8, and now to 7-2 at the midpoint of the season. The Lions have a 1.5-game lead for their first division title since 1993, and accomplishing that would put the club in position to win their first playoff game since 1991.
On Friday, Campbell all but confirmed he spoke with Texas A&M, then confirmed he would not trade all his progress in Detroit to take over the Aggies.
Did Texas A&M reach out to Lions head coach Dan Campbell?
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) November 17, 2023
“Maybe,” he said. “But that’s all good. Certainly I know some people there and I love my school. That’s my alma mater and I want to do anything I can to help them but coach for them.” pic.twitter.com/BjdGI7ckj3
One has to imagine the conversation between A&M and Campbell centered around Aaron Glenn, an All-Southwest Conference defensive back at Texas A&M (Glenn left two years before Campbell arrived) who now serves as Campbell's defensive coordinator in Detroit.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.