Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide suffered their second significant loss of the week, as news surfaced on Tuesday that Texas A&M is set to hire Holmon Wiggins to Mike Elko’s staff. Billy Liucci of TexAgs first reported that the Aggies were zeroing in on the Alabama wide receivers coach, who will be hired to the same position.
The 43-year-old Wiggins had been in Tuscalaossa since 2019 and added an assistant head coach title in the 2021 season. The former New Mexico State running back (1998-2001) previously served as the wide receivers coach at both Memphis (2012-15) and Virginia Tech (2016-18).
It’s unclear what Wiggins’ connection is to the Texas A&M staff, particularly Elko and offensive coordinator Collin Klein, who came over from Kansas State. What is clear is that Elko is focused on putting together the best staff possible — with money of no object — as very few coaches on staff at Duke followed him to College Station.
Wiggins is widely regarded as one of the best recruiters in the country. He has secured commitments from four 4-star wide receivers for the 2024 class and received a verbal pledge from the No. 3 ranked wideout – Ryan Williams, a five-star recruit from Saraland, Alabama.
During his first four seasons in Tuscaloosa, Wiggins achieved remarkable success. He has coached several outstanding players, including a Heisman Trophy and Biletnikoff Award winner, two Biletnikoff finalists, and three first-team All-Americans. Additionally, he has developed five first-round NFL Draft picks, including Jaylen Waddle (No. 6 overall), DeVonta Smith (No. 10), Henry Ruggs III (No. 12), Jameson Williams (No. 12) and Jerry Jeudy (No. 15).
It’ll be interesting to see how Saban replaces Wiggins, who was integral to Alabama’s coaching staff for the last four-plus years. The 72-year-old Saban faced a similar problem last offseason on the offensive side of the ball when offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien left to take the same post with the New England Patriots. Saban went big-name hunting and landed Notre Dame’s Tommy Rees; it wouldn’t be surprising if something similar happened here.
[TexAgs]