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COLLEGE STATION — With two new coordinators, there are several questions about what Texas A&M football could look like.
New defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill has a history with Aggies head coach Mike Elko, dating back to their time together at Duke. He called defensive plays as the coordinator at James Madison and was brought to College Station last season. While there is experience there, the belief is that Elko will still call defensive plays like he did in 2025.
Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko walks off the field after the loss to Miami in the round one College Football Playoff game at Kyle Field on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025 in College Station, Texas. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman)
New offensive coordinator Holmon Wiggins' situation is different. For the first time in his 21-year coaching career, the Los Angeles native will call plays in 2026.
Here's why Elko sounds confident in his first-time offensive coordinator:
MORE: 3 transfer portal additions that can make biggest impact in 2026
MORE:Texas A&M football draws 13 invites to 2026 NFL Combine, more than Ohio State, Texas
A&M's new offensive coordinator may be short on play-calling experience, but he is certainly not new to big-time college football.
Wiggins, 45, has been with the Aggies since 2024, serving as co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach for the past two seasons. Before joining Elko in College Station, Wiggins spent five seasons under Nick Saban at Alabama as the assistant head coach of offense/wide receivers.
In Tuscaloosa, he coached Heisman Trophy and Biletnikoff Award winner DeVonta Smith during his historic 2020 campaign. Wiggins also helped develop five first-round NFL draft selections, including Jaylen Waddle (No. 6 overall), Smith (No. 10), Henry Ruggs III (No. 12), Jameson Williams (No. 12) and Jerry Jeudy (No. 15).
"I think what we have in Holmon is a guy who is a really, really elite football coach," Elko said Monday. "He's been around a lot of elite systems, has learned from a lot of the best coordinators in the game and in the country."
Texas A&M wide receiver coach Holmon Wiggins during spring football practice March 30, 2024 in College Station. (Craig Bisacre/Craig Bisacre/Texas A&M Athletics)
During Wiggins' time in Aggieland, he's helped A&M land KC Concepcion, who has a chance to be selected in the first round of the upcoming NFL draft, and Mario Craver, a third-team All-SEC selection in 2025. Both players credited the coach as a key reason for them joining A&M despite having several other suitors.
The duo was one of six receiver tandems nationally with 800-plus receiving yards apiece and one of only three pairs averaging more than 15.0 yards per catch (minimum 50 receptions each).
"(Wiggins) has worked extremely hard in two years here to play a major role in the success on offense," Elko said.
Wiggins helped A&M improve from 47th nationally in red-zone offense to 17th (.906) last season. Under Wiggins' guidance, the offense has continued to ascend.
Still, the question remains about what he will look like as a play-caller.
"We just felt like it was the natural thing that made sense to take him and give him an opportunity, which he's been awesome with and really excited about," Elko said.
When asked, Elko avoided answering questions about the differences between Wiggins and outgoing offensive coordinator Collin Klein.
"(We) surrounded (Wiggins) with a bunch of people that are gonna help support him in the areas that are new to him... But yeah, at some point you have to do it. You have to do it for the first time, and someone's gotta trust you to do it. And I certainly trust him to the highest level."
Reach Texas A&M beat reporter Tony Catalina via email at [email protected].
Continue reading...
New defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill has a history with Aggies head coach Mike Elko, dating back to their time together at Duke. He called defensive plays as the coordinator at James Madison and was brought to College Station last season. While there is experience there, the belief is that Elko will still call defensive plays like he did in 2025.
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Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko walks off the field after the loss to Miami in the round one College Football Playoff game at Kyle Field on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025 in College Station, Texas. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman)
New offensive coordinator Holmon Wiggins' situation is different. For the first time in his 21-year coaching career, the Los Angeles native will call plays in 2026.
Here's why Elko sounds confident in his first-time offensive coordinator:
MORE: 3 transfer portal additions that can make biggest impact in 2026
MORE:Texas A&M football draws 13 invites to 2026 NFL Combine, more than Ohio State, Texas
Texas A&M football: Aggies excited about new OC Holmon Wiggins
A&M's new offensive coordinator may be short on play-calling experience, but he is certainly not new to big-time college football.
Wiggins, 45, has been with the Aggies since 2024, serving as co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach for the past two seasons. Before joining Elko in College Station, Wiggins spent five seasons under Nick Saban at Alabama as the assistant head coach of offense/wide receivers.
In Tuscaloosa, he coached Heisman Trophy and Biletnikoff Award winner DeVonta Smith during his historic 2020 campaign. Wiggins also helped develop five first-round NFL draft selections, including Jaylen Waddle (No. 6 overall), Smith (No. 10), Henry Ruggs III (No. 12), Jameson Williams (No. 12) and Jerry Jeudy (No. 15).
"I think what we have in Holmon is a guy who is a really, really elite football coach," Elko said Monday. "He's been around a lot of elite systems, has learned from a lot of the best coordinators in the game and in the country."
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Texas A&M wide receiver coach Holmon Wiggins during spring football practice March 30, 2024 in College Station. (Craig Bisacre/Craig Bisacre/Texas A&M Athletics)
During Wiggins' time in Aggieland, he's helped A&M land KC Concepcion, who has a chance to be selected in the first round of the upcoming NFL draft, and Mario Craver, a third-team All-SEC selection in 2025. Both players credited the coach as a key reason for them joining A&M despite having several other suitors.
The duo was one of six receiver tandems nationally with 800-plus receiving yards apiece and one of only three pairs averaging more than 15.0 yards per catch (minimum 50 receptions each).
"(Wiggins) has worked extremely hard in two years here to play a major role in the success on offense," Elko said.
Wiggins helped A&M improve from 47th nationally in red-zone offense to 17th (.906) last season. Under Wiggins' guidance, the offense has continued to ascend.
Still, the question remains about what he will look like as a play-caller.
"We just felt like it was the natural thing that made sense to take him and give him an opportunity, which he's been awesome with and really excited about," Elko said.
When asked, Elko avoided answering questions about the differences between Wiggins and outgoing offensive coordinator Collin Klein.
"(We) surrounded (Wiggins) with a bunch of people that are gonna help support him in the areas that are new to him... But yeah, at some point you have to do it. You have to do it for the first time, and someone's gotta trust you to do it. And I certainly trust him to the highest level."
Reach Texas A&M beat reporter Tony Catalina via email at [email protected].
Continue reading...
