🤝 The expected, yet still shocking, news that Texas A&M offensive coordinator Collin Klein has officially accepted the head coaching position at his alma mater, Kansas State, has created an immediate and urgent vacancy on Mike Elko’s staff. While the Aggies will undoubtedly draw a high-profile pool of external candidates to lead their offense, the best and most logical move for staff continuity and player retention may lie in an immediate, internal promotion.
The answer to A&M’s offensive coordinator crisis sits directly next to Klein in the coaching room: Holmon Wiggins, the current co-offensive coordinator and highly regarded wide receivers coach.
The Overlooked Co-Coordinator
It is a common fan oversight that while Klein was the primary play-caller and face of the offense, he was only ever technically the co-offensive coordinator in Aggieland. Sharing that title with him since his hire was Holmon Wiggins, a coach whom Elko aggressively lured away from the elite Alabama Crimson Tide program before Nick Saban’s retirement.
Wiggins’ pedigree is impeccable. He spent five seasons in Tuscaloosa, including three as the Assistant Head Coach of Offense, where he oversaw the development of a legendary receiving corps that included Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith, Jerry Jeudy, Jaylen Waddle, and Henry Ruggs III. His track record of developing elite, NFL-ready wideouts is arguably the best in College Football.
The Case for Internal Promotion
For Mike Elko, promoting Wiggins to the sole offensive coordinator role provides several critical benefits that an external hire simply cannot match:
* System Continuity: The Aggies’ offense, built on the foundation of the Run-Pass Option (RPO) and high-tempo spread concepts, has thrived under the current co-OC structure. Elevating Wiggins ensures that quarterback Marcel Reed and the returning offensive players won’t have to learn an entirely new system. This philosophical continuity is vital as the team prepares for a potential deep College Football Playoff run.
* Roster Retention: Wiggins’ relationships with the Aggies’ playmakers, particularly the talented wide receiver room, are paramount. In the current transfer portal environment, promoting a coach with established trust and rapport is the best defense against a potential talent exodus.
* Proven Talent Developer: While Wiggins has not yet been a solo play-caller, his experience helping craft game plans alongside elite offensive minds at both Alabama and now Texas A&M speaks volumes. His focus on the receiving corps is central to the success of any modern spread offense, and he clearly understands how to exploit mismatches in the SEC.
While the risk of hiring a first-time solo play-caller always exists, the familiarity and stability Wiggins offers outweigh the search for a splashy, potentially disruptive external hire. With the Aggies poised for a deep postseason run, Elko’s wisest move is to trust the man he brought in specifically to share offensive responsibility. The choice is clear: promote Wiggins to maintain momentum and ensure the Texas A&M offense remains high-octane.