🎙️ COLLEGE STATION, TX – The celebratory high of an 11-1 regular season and a College Football Playoff berth for Texas A&M Football has been quickly tempered by the realization that Head Coach Mike Elko must now execute the most important hire of his early tenure: finding a new Offensive Coordinator.
The news of Collin Klein’s departure to become the Head Coach at his alma mater, Kansas State University, was officially confirmed this week. While the Aggies faithful are thrilled that Klein will remain to call plays through the CFP run, the search for his permanent replacement is already underway. This new Aggie OC will inherit a top-20 offense, a Heisman-caliber quarterback in Marcel Reed, and the daunting task of maintaining success in the brutally competitive SEC.
The Current Landscape: Klein’s Split Focus
The immediate update is that there is no immediate crisis. Collin Klein confirmed during his introductory press conference at K-State that he will split his time between Manhattan and College Station, remaining in charge of the Texas A&M offense for the remainder of the season. This continuity is a massive benefit as the team prepares for its high-stakes playoff debut.
However, the clock is ticking for Elko. The early signing period and the Transfer Portal window mandate quick, decisive action to ensure stability for the 2026 roster. Elko’s history and connections suggest he will pursue a candidate who is either a proven play-caller with a track record of winning or an elite up-and-coming NFL mind with strong Texas roots.
The Hot Board: Top Candidates Emerge
While no formal interviews have been confirmed by the university, major sources within Texas A&M circles and national college football news outlets have highlighted several intriguing names:
* Jerrod Johnson (Houston Texans Quarterbacks Coach): The Aggie alumnus is a primary target. Johnson has skyrocketed up coaching ranks due to his success with NFL quarterbacks. His deep familiarity with the Texas Football recruiting landscape and his ability to modernize the passing game make him a perfect fit to develop Marcel Reed further.
* Buster Faulkner (Georgia Tech Offensive Coordinator): Faulkner has emerged as a top candidate due to his championship experience as a key offensive analyst and coach at Georgia. His recent success running an innovative offense at Georgia Tech and his prior connection to Aggie transfer players give him a strong resume for the SEC challenge.
* Will Stein (Oregon Offensive Coordinator): One of the youngest and most successful Offensive Coordinators in the nation, Stein’s explosive, high-tempo offenses at Oregon are exactly the style that would thrive with the talent level at Texas A&M. His candidacy represents a commitment to modern, aggressive offensive philosophy.
* Holmon Wiggins (Texas A&M Wide Receivers Coach): The internal candidate offers continuity and stability. Wiggins is renowned as an elite recruiter and developer of talent, having won multiple titles at Alabama. Promoting Wiggins would allow the offense to maintain the same terminology and relationships forged under Elko.
The Elko Factor: Trusting Connections
Elko’s prior coaching stops at Wake Forest, Notre Dame, and Bowling Green suggest he may also look toward trusted colleagues. Names like former Notre Dame OC Tommy Rees (who worked with Elko in South Bend) or coaches under Dave Clawson (who worked with Elko at Wake Forest) could also surface as dark horse contenders, though those links appear less direct than the current Hot Board favorites.
This hire will define the next phase of the Texas A&M program. Elko must find a creative, high-energy leader who can seamlessly guide the offense through the upcoming CFP run and secure the future of the Aggies’ powerful recruiting classes.