Texas A&M could target Ohio State head coach Ryan Day in its expansive coaching search following the recent firing of Jimbo Fisher, according to Fox Sports reporter Bruce Feldman. Reports previously attached multiple high-profile coaches to the vacancy given A&M’s spending ability, but this is Day’s first mention as a potential target. Day leads Ohio State into Michigan at noon with a spot in the College Football Playoff essentially on the line.
“Don’t be surprised if the Aggies don’t pursue Ryan Day,” Feldman said Saturday on Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff. “Day is 56-6 as a head coach and came within a field goal in the last second of knocking off Georgia in the CFP. Keep in mind, the specter of back to back to the hated arch rival Michigan hangs heavy over Columbus. If they win here today and beat the Wolverines, I seriously doubt with them in the playoff mix that he would be taking that call. The Aggies are optimistic if they don’t win that game, he might be open to that pitch.”
Former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer smirked at Feldman’s report during the broadcast and quickly responded to the speculation on the Big Noon Kickoff panel.
“I love you Bruce, but no way,” Meyer said.
Feldman also mentioned Kentucky’s Mark Stoops, Kansas State’s Chris Klieman and former Aggies defensive coordinator Mike Elko, who recently turned things around at Duke.
In six seasons under Fisher, the Aggies left a lot to be desired. They lost four-plus games in five of those seasons, with the one exception coming in 2020. They also have lost nine consecutive road games. Overall, A&M compiled a 45-25 record and 27-21 mark in SEC play under Fisher. The Aggies firing Fisher could not have been easy with his lengthy and pricey contract. His contract is not set to expire until 2031. More importantly, A&M will now owe him a $76.8 million buyout.
Texas A&M coaching search hot board 5.0 (VIP)
According to NCAA rules, if a head coach is fired in the middle of the season, players from that team will immediately have a 30-day window to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal. A 30-day window for the portal opens on Dec. 4 as well.
GigEm247’s Carter Karels contributed to this report.
