Texas A&M alumnus Dan Campbell will return as Detroit Lions head coach with contract extension

After leading the Lions to the NFC Championship game for the first time in 32 years, alumnus Dan Campbell has earned a contract extension.

After leading the Detroit Lions to the NFC Championship game for the first time in 32 years, Texas A&M alumnus Dan Campbell has earned a contract extension.

Campbell had an extra year added to his original deal on Thursday, keeping him in the Motor City through the 2027 season. The Lions also gave extensions to general manager Brad Holmes and Chris Spielman, the special assistant to the president/CEO & chairperson.

“We are thrilled to have Brad and Dan under contract for the next four seasons,” stated principal owner and chair Sheila Hamp. “They have been the driving force behind the rebuild of our football team and the success that we have enjoyed. The continuity they provide for our football program will continue to be the key to our future success on the field.”

Campbell has gone from biting kneecaps to becoming one of the best leaders in the NFL within three seasons

Just over three years ago on Jan. 20, 2021, Campbell was hired to lead the league’s perennial loser in Detroit. The Lions regressed in his first season, going from 5-11 in 2020 to 3-13-1.

Detroit began the 2022 season 1-6 and Campbell found himself on the hot seat. Then the Lions proceeded to win 8 of their last 10 games, including in the season finale at Green Bay to keep their bitter rivals out of the postseason, finishing 9-8 overall.

“I could not be more proud of the work that Brad, Dan and Chris have done for our organization,” stated president and CEO Rod Wood. “They have selflessly worked together to build a winning culture within the Lions. I am excited to continue working with them to create the sustained success that we envision for the team, our fans and the city of Detroit.”

Campbell rode that wave of momentum into this season, leading the Lions to a 12-5 record and the franchise’s first NFC North division title. Detroit hadn’t won their division in 30 years, dating back to an NFC Central championship in 1993.

With a 24-23 victory against the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card Round on Jan. 14, the Lions won their first playoff game in 32 years. Detroit followed that up with a 31-23 win versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to earn its first NFC Championship game berth since the 1991 season.

Campbell and the Lions led 24-7 versus the San Francisco 49ers but ultimately lost the penultimate title contest 34-31. However, if anyone can lead Detroit to its first NFL title since 1957, it’s certainly the man with an appetite for kneecaps and he’ll be around for at least four more seasons.

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‘There is no better place to play’: Q&A with Texas A&M defensive coordinator Jay Bateman

Bateman sat down with the Aggie Football social media team for a Q&A and he had a lot to say about his first few months in College Station.

Texas A&M defensive coordinator Jay Bateman recently sat down with the Aggie Football social media team for a brief Q&A and he had a lot to say about his first few months in College Station.

Question: First impressions of the program?

Answer: I think the main thing is getting back to work with Mike has been great. You get back in the room with him, it’s been awesome. Feel really good about who we’ve added to the team. I feel really good about the kids that were on the team.

“I knew that, when you’re recruiting, you knew how talented they were, especially at some positions on defense. So I think to get here and get to work has been great.”

Q: What is it like to work with coach Elko?

A: I think he’s really driven, really bright. I think a lot of the things defensively people do in college football right now, Mike started. To get back with him, we have a lot of the same philosophies. We kind of grew up in this thing together and I think to get back has been awesome.”

Q: What kind of player are you looking for on defense?

A: I want guys that play with great passion and great effort. I think when you have those two things, we’re going to recruit good enough athletes here. Like when you play with passion, you play with effort, things are going to be pretty good.

“When people sit down in the stands, I want them to know that we’re going to play really, really hard for Texas A&M. We will play with great effort and play with great physicality. I think when they cut that film on Sunday to get ready for us, I want the opposing team to be a little bit nervous about coming in here.”

Q: What makes this program special?

A: “There’s very few places that you can go play in this conference and to a great degree, this is one of them. I played here two years ago and I was working at another school. We kicked off at 11 a.m. when 102,000 people sat in the stands.

“There is no better atmosphere, there is no better crowd, there is no better place to play. To do that and get a degree from a school like this is pretty unique.

“My formative years as a football player, the Wrecking Crew was the Wrecking Crew, right? I remember all of them guys. Quentin Coryatt, all of them guys. The first day you get here, you walk through the hallway and you see the statues, trophies & awards and you’re like ‘Holy moly,’ some of the best players to have ever played this game played here.

“I think as a coach you’re saying to yourself, ‘OK man, it’s my job to uphold this tradition. It’s my job to get these kids ready to play at that level of football.’ I think that’s a challenge but it’s one that you embrace if you’re a competitor.”

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Texas A&M football team begins spring ball in less than 2 weeks with brand new coaching staff

“We have to develop them as men and then use their strengths to fit in and building around them,” said offensive coordinator Collin Klein.

The Texas A&M football team starts spring ball in less than two weeks on March 22 and it is quickly approaching.

Mike Elko officially begins his first season in College Station as head coach and brings a brand new staff with him. One of the key personnel is offensive coordinator & quarterbacks coach Collin Klein, who will be a huge factor in whether or not junior quarterback Conner Weigman lives up to the Heisman hype.

Klein recently sat down for a Q&A with the Aggies’ social media team and Weigman had to love what his new OC had to say about what’s in store for Texas A&M this season at Kyle Field.

“You’re going to have a chance to be the best player in the country on the best team in the country year in and year out,” Klein proclaimed. “That’s what we’re going to build from the ground up and look out!”

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‘Surrounded by an elite level staff’: Q&A with Texas A&M OC & QB coach Collin Klein

“You’re going to have a chance to be the best player in the country on the best team in the country year in and year out,” Klein proclaimed.

Texas A&M offensive coordinator & quarterbacks coach Collin Klein recently sat down with the Aggie Football social media team for a brief Q&A and he had a lot to say about his first few months in College Station.

Question: First impressions of the program?

Answer: “I’ve been blown away. The level of support and resources that we’re able to provide our student-athletes here is truly second to none. It blows me away every day.”

Q: Why did you decide to come coach here?

A: “It was about the right people at the right time. I really felt that with coach Elko. Growing up in Colorado watching Big 12 (and) Big 8 football, having played against Texas A&M, being down here, having a little bit of familiarity with this place, the type of backbone and the people that are here.”

Q: Can you describe your type of offense?

A: “At the end of the day, this game has been and will always be about the players. Truly as much as it’s not my offense or my system, it’s me learning about our players, me learning and figuring out how they tick, how they think, what their strengths are. What are they weaknesses? How can we help develop them?

“I know what really excited me about this opportunity here with coach Elko was how he talked about discipline, accountability and development of our players and of our team. I think that’s really important to me is not just taking, plugging and playing. That’s not what it is.

“We have to develop them as players. We have to develop them as men and then use their strengths to fit in and building around them, because that’s where the game’s won and lost.”

Q: What makes this program special?

A: “Just even in my short time with coach Elko, I think you’re going to be surrounded by an elite level staff, elite level leadership. I think you’re going to have elite level support across the board from every avenue.

“You’re going to have a chance to be the best player in the country on the best team in the country year in and year out. That’s what we’re going to build from the ground up and look out!”

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Texas A&M legend Johnny Manziel elaborates on choice to step away from Heisman Trophy ceremony

“You can back a brinks truck up to my house and I still will not attend the ceremony or do ANYTHING involved until Reggie’s trophy is back.”

After announcing early on Saturday morning that he was removing himself from the Heisman Trophy ceremony in support of former USC running back Reggie Bush, Texas A&M legend Johnny Manziel elaborated on his decision on social media this weekend.

“You can back a Brinks truck up to my house and I still will not attend the ceremony or do ANYTHING involved until Reggie’s trophy is back where it rightfully belongs,” Manziel proclaimed via X. “This is about doing what’s right for everyone involved. Reggie’s play on the field inspired me to be the football player that I am.

“To the Heisman Trust, I hope you understand my position. You know that I have nothing but love and respect for that trophy and the people associated with it. It changed my life for the better, forever, and I will be eternally grateful for that until my last day on this earth. The bond and the brotherhood mean more than anything else. That’s truly what makes the fraternity so special.”

X user Dylan Powell (@PowellAnalytics) replied to Manziel‘s initial tweet and sarcastically said, “Should probably change that profile pic then too Johnny.”

“You never change something that’s rooted in your soul,” Manziel stated. “That Heisman means more to me than anything in this world.”

In the era of NIL, Manziel pointed out how much money former USC and LSU quarterbacks, Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, respectively made in 2023.

“The last two Heisman Trophy winners made a combined 12 million last year, but Reggie can’t get his trophy back?” Manziel pondered.

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Life lessons with Texas A&M legend Johnny ‘Football’ Manziel

“You’re not truly considered an NFL ‘bust’ until you officially retire. Do with that as you wish,” Manziel said via X on Saturday morning.

Former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel was very active on X, formerly known as Twitter, this past weekend.

After proclaiming his self-removal from the Heisman Trophy ceremony in support of Reggie Bush, Manziel continued to speak his mind on social media.

“Failure in life has been one of the biggest motivators for me,” Manziel stated. “Fear is truly one of the biggest things that allow us to change.

“Just because you held yourself to a lower standard in the past doesn’t mean you have to continue that trajectory for the rest of your life.

“Create the life that you want to live and own that s***.”

Manziel shared his desire to better himself.

“Morals and values are something that every single Aggie is engrained with from the second that you step on campus,” he stated. “I chose not to accept that fact until recently but moving forward I will hold myself to a higher standard that will go over a lot of y’all’s heads.

“Time to get 1% better today.”

Also noteworthy: Johnny hasn’t formally retired from professional football.

“Another little tidbit,” Manziel teased. “You’re not truly considered an NFL ‘bust’ until you officially retire. Do with that as you wish.”

Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

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‘Reggie IS the Heisman trophy’: Johnny Manziel removes himself from ceremony in support of Bush

“I will be humbly removing myself from the Heisman trophy ceremony until Reggie Bush gets his trophy back,” Manziel said via X on Saturday.

If you’re like me or many others in Aggieland, you woke up Saturday morning to a bold proclamation posted to X by legendary Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel.

Manziel, who was the first freshman in history to win the Heisman Trophy in 2012, will be stepping away from the annual ceremony. Manziel is taking an indefinite absence until former USC running back Reggie Bush reclaims the award he won in 2005, which he voluntarily forfeited in 2010 amid NCAA investigations.

“After careful thought and consideration, I will be humbly removing myself from the Heisman trophy ceremony until Reggie Bush gets his trophy back,” Manziel stated on social media. “Doesn’t sit right with my morals and values that he can’t be on that stage with us every year. Reggie IS the Heisman trophy.

“Do the RIGHT thing NCAA the ball is in your court.

“Much love

“JM2”

Given the NIL era that we all live in today, that should’ve been introduced and regulated decades ago, Johnny is right.

The NCAA should not only restore Bush’s legacy but after everything they’ve put him through over the last 19 years, he deserves his own recognition ceremony in December. That is, of course, before junior QB Conner Weigman hoists the Heisman later in the evening and brings home College Station’s third illustrious trophy.

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Report: Former Texas A&M wide receivers coach has found a new home at Georgia State

According to college football reporter Matt Zenitz, Dameyune Craig is expected to be hired as an offensive assistant coach at Georgia State.

A former Texas A&M wide receivers coach from the Jimbo Fisher era has found a new home.

According to 247Sports & CBS Sports national college football reporter Matt Zenitz, Dameyune Craig is expected to be hired as an offensive assistant coach at Georgia State per sources. Craig spent the last six seasons in College Station coaching the Aggies wideouts since 2018.

Craig reunites with new Panthers head coach Dell McGee, who he played with at Auburn in the 1990s. McGee is also expected to hire Tigers analyst Jeremiah Wilson as defensive backs coach, Zenitz reported.

Before arriving in Aggieland, Craig had previous coaching stints with LSU (2004 & 2016), Miami Dolphins (2005), Tuskegee (2006-07), South Alabama (2008-09), Florida State (2010-12 & 2017) and Auburn (2013-15).

The native of Mobile, Alabama played quarterback with the Tigers from 1994-97. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Carolina Panthers in 1998, where he played for four seasons until 2001. He also had a brief offseason stint with the Washington Redskins in 2002.

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ESPN identifies Texas A&M’s quarterback room as its biggest strength entering 2024 season

“The upside of all those quarterbacks getting thrown into the fire due to injuries is that there’s now a solid QB room full of confidence.”

ESPN college football reporters identified the biggest strengths of college football’s top 25 teams on Wednesday.

Coming in at No. 25, Texas A&M‘s biggest strength entering the 2024 season is its quarterbacks, according to Dave Wilson.

“The Aggies have been trying to find the right man for the job since the departure of Kellen Mond in 2020, and Jimbo Fisher‘s complex offense — combined with a struggling offensive line — did them no favors,” Wilson wrote. “But the upside of all those quarterbacks getting thrown into the fire due to injuries is that there’s now a solid QB room full of confidence.

“Starter Conner Weigman threw for 979 yards, 8 TDs and 2 INTs in four starts with a 68.9 completion percentage. Unheralded Fresno State transfer Jaylen Henderson got the job after an injury to backup Max Johnson, and Henderson completed 67.9 percent for 715 yards and 6 TDs to 2 INTs. When Henderson was hurt on the first play of the Texas Bowl against Oklahoma State, true freshman Marcel Reed completed 20-of-33 passes for 361 yards and added a 20-yard TD run.

“New offensive coordinator Collin Klein molded Will Howard and Avery Johnson before departing for College Station and Weigman could be the best Aggies quarterback since Johnny Manziel if he lives up to his potential.”

Johnny Football didn’t quite live up to the hype in the NFL, but will Weigman do so at the college level, led by new head coach Mike Elko? We’ll all find out together beginning on Aug. 31.

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Texas A&M LB prospect Edgerrin Cooper meets with several teams at NFL Combine

Per Aggies Today, junior Edgerrin Cooper visited with the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, LA Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers, sources say.

Texas A&M junior linebacker Edgerrin Cooper is turning heads at the NFL Combine and reportedly has met with several teams this week at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

According to Aggies Today, Cooper visited with the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers per sources. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound prospect ran the 40-yard dash in 4.52 seconds on Thursday night and the world learned about the love he has for his six dogs.

The report from Aggies Today indicating that Cooper met with the Steelers comes as no surprise to many in Aggieland as he recently “stood out” to Pittsburgh who reportedly “loves” him.

ESPN NFL Draft analyst Field Yates is also a fan of Cooper’s, joining his colleague Jordan Reid.

“On the short list for best game by any defensive player in college football last year was Texas A&M LB Edgerrin Cooper against Alabama,” Yates stated on X. “A premium athlete that can also play on the edge. In a league with so many mobile QBs, his athleticism and range is invaluable.”

The Steelers pick 20th overall in April’s draft.

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