As eight NFL head-coaching vacancies led to scores of names being mentioned as candidates to fill those vacancies, one name we didn’t hear was that of Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin. But Texas A&M was concerned enough about NFL interest that Sumlin was able to get a raise out of it.
Bruce Feldman of CBS reports that Sumlin, who went 11-2 in his first season at A&M, has agreed in principle to a new five-year contract that includes a salary increase. According to the report, interest from three NFL teams and one major university led A&M to act to keep Sumlin in the fold.
Like new Eagles coach Chip Kelly, Sumlin has no NFL experience but is viewed at the college level as one of the best offensive minds in the game. Before getting the job at A&M a year ago, Sumlin led the University of Houston to a 12-1 record in 2011, and he had success as an offensive coordinator at Oklahoma before getting the Houston job.
So although it didn’t happen this year, don’t be surprised if Sumlin’s name is mentioned in connection with NFL coaching vacancies again in the future. Especially when Sumlin knows that’s a good way to get a raise.