Pete Thamel names Mark Stoops as legitimate candidate in Texas A&M coaching search

ESPN insider Pete Thamel updated the Texas A&M head coaching search during ESPN College GameDay on Saturday. Thamel mentioned Kentucky coach Mark Stoops as someone the Aggies have serious interest in.

Stoops has been at Kentucky since 2013. The Wildcats are currently 6-5 entering their final game of the regular season on Saturday against Louisville.

“One name that’s expected to emerge in the next 24 hours is Kentucky coach Mark Stoops,” Thamel said. “He coaches a rivalry game against Louisville today and the next 24 hours will be critical for his candidacy.”

Mark Stoops has two 10-win seasons at Kentucky and was named the SEC Coach of the Year in 2018.

Stoops has asked for more resources to win with at Kentucky. He would certainly have plenty of resources at Texas A&M.

ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit commented on the possibility of Mark Stoops ending up at Kentucky.

“Imagine Mark Stoops actually having resources. That would be an interesting fit if he goes there,” Herbstreit said.

Pete Thamel also mentioned other coaches in the mix for the Texas A&M job.

“Other names on the Texas A&M radar — Duke coach Mike Elko, Kyle Whittingham of Utah, Jedd Fisch at Arizona and Jeff Traylor at UTSA.”

Mike Elko was the defensive coordinator at Texas A&M from 2018-21, prior to taking over the Duke program. He quickly turned around the Blue Devils, leading them to a 9-4 record in Year 1. Duke is currently 6-5, despite being without start quarterback Riley Leonard for much of the year.

Kyle Whittingham has been at Utah since 1994 and has been the head coach of the Utes since 2005. He led Utah to the Pac-12 title each of the past two seasons.

Jedd Fisch has been at Arizona since 2021. The Wildcats are currently 8-3 this season.

Jeff Traylor has been the head coach at UTSA since 2020. His team finished 12-2 last season and is currently 11-3.

Pete Thamel added that it will be interesting to see how the search plays out. There are reportedly a lot of people at Texas A&M with an opinion as far as who the Aggies should hire.

“One source cautioned me… things are fractured at Texas A&M,” Thamel said. “A lot of people had to put up a lot of money to pay out Jimbo Fisher. So don’t expect this to be a linear search to the finish.”

Whoever is hired will replace Jimbo Fisher, who was fired earlier this season.