Texas A&M Aggies Expected To Hire Auburn’s Wesley McGriff For Defensive Role
McGriff has spent almost three decades coaching at the college level, including tenure at Auburn, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt.
Mike Elko has reportedly discovered Texas A&M’s next defensive backs coach.
According to sources, the Aggies are poised to hire former Auburn secondary/cornerbacks Wesley McGriff for a similar on-field position. TexAgs first reported the news, which was later confirmed by 247Sports.
Hired in 2023, McGriff took a step back from his duties with the Tigers to cope with a “personal issue,” according to first-year coach Hughe Freeze. McGriff eventually switched into an in-house recruiting role for the remainder of the regular season.
Known for his abilities to recruit, McGriff helped Ole Miss post the No. 1 overall class in 2013, helping net players like Robert Nkemdiche, Laremy Tunsil and Tony Conner. McGriff has spent nearly two decades in the SEC, including tenure at Kentucky (2001-02), Vanderbilt (2011), Ole Miss (2012; 2016-18), Auburn (2016; 2019-21; 2023), Florida (2021).
McGriff also worked with Ishmael Aristide, who accompanied Elko from Duke to A&M to coach defensive backs. The couple spent time together at Auburn in 2016 and later Ole Miss in 2018-17.
A&M’s coaching staff is approaching its complete following the hiring of offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Collin Klein and defensive coordinator/linebacker coach Jay Bateman. Elko recently hired Duke’s special teams coordinator Patrick Dougherty for the same position, a first for the Aggies since 2017.
Other coaches hired by Elko include Sean Spencer (defensive line), Trooper Taylor (assistant head coach/running backs), Adam Cushing (offensive line), Tommy Moffitt (director of football strength and conditioning), and Derek Miller (recruiting general manager).
Elko has failed to employ a receivers coach since being hired by the Blue Devils. A&M finished the season 7-6 following its 31-23 loss to No. 20 Oklahoma State in the TaxAct Texas Bowl.
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