New yell leader: Texas A&M steals DC John Chavis from LSU
Just before New Year’s, in the middle of a recruiting dead period, Texas A&M has pulled off one of the best heists of 2014, lifting defensive coordinator John Chavis from LSU.
According to the Baton Rouge Advocate, Chavis was “upset” with a clause in LSU’s proposed contract that would pay him just six months if Les Miles no longer was the coach of the program, and the school would not budge on that detail.
The Aggies, which went 17-9 the last two seasons despite averaging 39.7 points per game, now inherit The Chief to guide a rudderless defense. Texas A&M has plenty of young talent, including freshman defensive end Myles Garrett, and there’s no reason to believe coach Kevin Sumlin’s offense will falter any time soon.
“John Chavis was very productive for us,” Miles said Tuesday night, sounding resigned. “I’m going to try to pitch him again. We like Chief.”
Chavis, 58, got paid $1.3 million annually at LSU, and reportedly will make $1.7 million, according to NOLA.com.
The hire rivals Will Muschamp to Auburn and pairs two of the conference’s best offensive systems with a couple of the most proven defensive coordinators in the nation. They’re the two highest-paid coordinators in college football as well, according to USA Today salary data.
Translation: The SEC West is an even scarier place in 2015.
Chavis has been one of the highest-paid college football assistants for years, but reportedly let a three-year, $4 million contract sit on his desk at LSU for weeks, then took a higher-paying job in College Station almost immediately after LSU lost to Notre Dame, 31-28, in the Music City Bowl.
LSU’s offense, specifically the passing game, has been sporadic, but Chavis’ defense was among the best in the country year after year. He’s helped coach a few dozen NFL draft picks since 2009, counting this year’s group, and earned the Broyles Award in 2011 as the nation’s top assistant.
Chavis also coached at Tennessee as a defensive assistant from 1989 to 2008, winning a national championship in ’98 as a linebackers coach and earning American Football Coach of the Year honors by the American Football Coaches Association.
With a steady stream of five-star receivers, consistent NFL prospects along the offensive line and Sumlin’s offensive mastermind, the Aggies should continue to score points, but the last two years have been a disaster. Texas A&M lost four games with defending Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel last season and then lost five this year after a 5-0 start.
Texas A&M never seemed to have a chance with former Florida head coach Will Muschamp, who picked Auburn from a myriad of interested suitors. But just like coach Gus Malzahn with the Tigers, Sumlin now has a worthy defensive captain to team with his proven offense. The man who has developed a reputation as a brilliant recruiter may have landed his biggest fish of all.
Now LSU must look for a replacement for Chavis just as the team begins it’s quest to bounce back from a down season to what could be a special 2015.