Texas A&M pursued LSU offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock for the same position before pivoting to Kansas State's Collin Klein, sources told FootballScoop on Wednesday.
Multiple outlets reported early Wednesday that LSU is finalizing a 3-year extension for Denbrock. The Broyles Award finalist signed a 3-year contract worth $1.5 million annually upon joining Brian Kelly's staff ahead of the 2022 season. Financial terms have yet to be released.
Sources tell FootballScoop A&M's offer to Denbrock would have made him the highest paid offensive coordinator in college football. Clemson's Garrett Riley and Washington's Ryan Grubb each currently earn approximately $2 million per year.
LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels is the Heisman Trophy front-runner heading into Saturday night's ceremony. The Tigers led the nation in total offense (547.8 yards per game), yards per play (8.53), and scoring (46.4 points per game).
The gap between LSU's 8.53 yards per play and No. 2 Oregon (7.78) is nearly as great as the gap between Oregon and No. 8 Kansas (7.01), and LSU's 102 plays of 20-plus yards are believed to be the most by any FBS team since at least 2010. No FBS team has hit the century mark in 20-plus yard gains since 2019, and all who did so in that season had at least 14 games to reach the century mark.
The offensive coordinator position is arguably the most important hire that first-year, defensive minded head coach Mike Elko will make in his Texas A&M tenure.
Klein accepted the Texas A&M position early Wednesday morning.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.