Lions coach Dan Campbell addressed the coaching opening at his alma mater, Texas A&M, on Friday, marking his first public comment since rumors linked him as a candidate to become the school’s next coach.
Campbell sidestepped a question about whether or not Texas A&M reached out to him, but he made it clear he is not a candidate for the position.
“Maybe,” Campbell said when asked if the Aggies reached out to him. “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, and I will do that.”
It certainly makes sense that A&M would consider Campbell as a candidate after seeing what he has done with the Lions in developing the team into a bona fide Super Bowl contender. However, it also makes sense that Campbell would not be interested given how well Detroit (7–2) is playing under his direction.
In a follow-up question, Campbell was asked what kind of candidate is necessary to fill the vacancy at his alma mater.
“Certainly, the hire is important. It needs to be somebody who understands the state of Texas, understands the history of Texas A&M and can communicate with young people and develop them. That’s where it starts. Strong leadership.”
Could that coach be UTSA’s Jeff Traylor?
A report from the Austin American-Statesman on Thursday night indicated that Traylor was interviewed by the Aggies this week. Duke coach Mike Elko is also seen as a contender for the role in College Station, per the report.
