5 potential replacements for OC Collin Klein at Texas A&M

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Texas A&M finished the 2025 regular season at 11-1 and 7-1 in SEC play, and, for the first time in program history, is headed to the College Football Playoff and will likely host a first-round game in Kyle Field two weeks from now. However, second-year offensive coordinator Collin Klein has been hired as Kansas State’s new head coach and will remain with the Aggies during their playoff run.

This move was expected after rumors swirled this fall, knowing that Klein was a popular candidate to take over several programs. Still, the K-State legend was always meant to return home after long-time head coach Chris Klieman announced his retirement earlier this week.

In his second season as Texas A&M’s play-caller, the Aggies finished with the 20th-ranked offense, while starting quarterback Marcel Reed passed for a career-high 2,932 yards and 25 touchdowns during the regular season. Still, questionable play calls in key situations nearly led to two more losses this season, which would have kept A&M out of the CFP.

Klein’s focus will be in question as he balances his new head-coaching duties with his current OC position, which has worried fans who fear he might be distracted during the biggest game of the year. Either way, head coach Mike Elko is now in the process of making his first staff change during his second season at the helm, before or after the postseason.

Based on what we’ve heard, paired with pure speculation, here are five candidates for Texas A&M’s vacant OC position.

Brian Daboll

Is this out of left field? Kind of, but forgetting Daboll’s ugly tenure as the New York Giants head coach, his one-year stint as Alabama’s offensive coordinator & quarterbacks coach ended with a National Championship, and the development of current NFL starting quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts.

From 2018 to 2021, Daboll helped Buffalo Bills star quarterback Josh Allen reach new heights as a passer, and with Texas A&M starting QB Marcel Reed returning next season after posting career highs through the air, one season in College Station could reignite Daboll’s career.

Jerrod Johnson — Houston Texans, QB Coach

Jerrod Johnson’s career as Texas A&M’s star quarterback during the late 2000s is well remembered among most of the fan base, while his career as a rising NFL assistant coach has been even more impressive. Since 2023, Johnson has served as the Houston Texans QB Coach, helping develop starter C.J. Stroud.

As I stated in a recent article, it’s hard to see Johnson leaving the NFL for a college position outside of head coach, but serving as A&M’s offensive coordinator and play caller for one or two seasons, similar to Collin Klein, could result in big-time opportunities down the line if success comes to fruition.

Todd Monken — Baltimore Ravens OC

The Baltimore Ravens are currently 6-6, but are in first place in the AFC North, which is comical to say the least. Still, it’s been a down year for the offense, and while most of this has to do with star quarterback Lamar Jackson’s injury issues, OC Todd Monken should be someone Mike Elko tests the waters with, especially if the Ravens miss out on the playoffs.

Monken is well known as Georgia’s successful play caller (2020-2022), helping lead the Bulldogs to two National Championships before departing for the NFL. Monken is the type of coach a program like Texas A&M should invest in, given the program’s recruiting and transfer portal success, but right now, this is just wishful thinking.

Holmon Wiggins — Texas A&M WR Coach, Co-OC

Holmon Wiggins has been the rumored choice after Klein’s departure, mainly because of his role as co-offensive coordinator, which has aided the development of transfer wide receivers KC Concepcion and Mario Craver, who combined for over 1,700 yards and 13 touchdowns.

This type of move wouldn’t be surprising, especially if Mike Elko wants to keep things in-house and avoid a long-term search that could hinder the ability to land players from the transfer portal. It’s unclear how the Aggie fan base would react to this move, but it would likely be a seamless transition and result in little change offensively.

Bobby Petrino

Time to run it back? Jimbo Fisher is gone, and Mike Elko would hand over the offense completely this time around, providing Bobby Petrino full reign to call whatever he pleases. After Ryan Silverland was hired as Arkansas’s newest head coach, Petrino is back on the market and is already familiar with College Station.

Yes, things did not end on a good note after the 2023 season, but that was a different regime. After defeating Arkansas 42-42 this season, Petrino’s play calling has yet to drop off, and could do wonders with the talent Elko and his staff have assembled going into the 2026 season and beyond.

Under Petrino this season, Arkansas finished 19th in total offense, 30th in passing, and 27th in rushing.

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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Five coaches to replace Texas A&M OC Collin Klein next season

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