:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24230617/20130104_ajl_aj6_080.0.jpg)
Texas A&M Head Coach Kevin Sumlin will reportedly be staying in College Station for the foreseeable future after reaching an agreement in principle to remain the Aggies head coach.
Earlier Saturday morning, CBS Sports Bruce Feldman reported that the 49-year-old head, who holds a 19-5 record in two seasons with Texas A&M, has recommitted to staying in the SEC West.
Texas A&M reaches agreement in principle w/ Coach Kevin Sumlin on new 6-year contract, AD Eric Hyman announces. Release soon. #12thMan
— Jason Cook (@jason_cook) November 30, 2013
What does this mean for USC you may ask? Well, assuming Sumlin honors his commitment, one of the leading candidates for the Trojans head coaching position is now officially off the table.
That being said, plenty of candidates remain available including Broncos Interim Head Coach Jack Del Rio along with collegiate options including the likes of James Franklin from Vanderbilt, Pat Fitzgerald from Northwestern and possibly even former USC assistant coach Steve Sarkisian from Washington
Whatever happens in the next few weeks on campus, Kevin Sumlin's reported extension certainly means one major chopping block has fallen from the ranks and would possibly increase the stock for interim head coach Ed Orgeron.
Coming into Saturday's Crosstown Showdown, Orgeron has led the Trojans to a 7-1 record including a perfect 6-0 mark in Pac-12 play. Recent winning ways have also revitalized the excitement from players, fans and boosters for USC Football which was once left for dead after starting 0-2 in the Pac-12.
USC Athletic Director Pat Haden will still have an interesting decision to make this offseason, especially if Ed Orgeron wins out this season.
Orgeron continues to garner support from his players and coaching peers (including 136 emails from NFL executives/coaches after defeating Stanford) from around the nation, making Pat Haden's job that much more difficult to find not only the best head coach but also the next face of this budding football program.