Texas A&M Aggies Expected To Hire Auburn's Wesley McGriff For Defensive Role

McGriff has spent over three decades coaching at the college level, including stops at Auburn, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt.

Mike Elko has reportedly found Texas A&M's next defensive backs coach. 

According to reports, the Aggies are set to hire former Auburn secondary/cornerbacks Wesley McGriff for a similar on-field role. TexAgs first reported the news, which was later confirmed by 247Sports. 

Hired in 2023, McGriff took a step back from his role with the Tigers to deal with a "personal issue," according to first-year coach Hughe Freeze. McGriff later transitioned into an in-house recruiting role for the remainder of the regular season. 

Auburn secondary coach Wesley McGriff is interviewed at the Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala., on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2023 :: Jake Crandall / USA TODAY NETWORK

Known for his ability to recruit, McGriff helped Ole Miss post the No. 1 overall class in 2013, helping land recruits like Robert Nkemdiche, Laremy Tunsil and Tony Conner. McGriff has spent nearly two decades in the SEC, including stops at Kentucky (2001-02), Vanderbilt (2011), Ole Miss (2012; 2016-18), Auburn (2016; 2019-21; 2023), Florida (2021). 

McGriff also worked with Ishmael Aristide, who followed Elko from Duke to A&M to coach defensive backs. The duo spent time together at Auburn in 2016 and later Ole Miss in 2018-17. 

A&M's coaching staff is nearing its completion following the hiring of offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Collin Klein and defensive coordinator/linebacker coach Jay Bateman. Elko recently hired Duke's special teams coordinator Patrick Dougherty for the same position, a first for the Aggies since 2017. 

Aggies To Hire Patrick Dougherty As Special Teams Coordinator

Other coaches hired by Elko include Sean Spencer (defensive line), Trooper Taylor (associate head coach/running backs), Adam Cushing (offensive line), Tommy Moffitt (director of football strength and conditioning), and Derek Miller (recruiting general manager). 

Elko has yet to hire a receivers coach since being hired by the Blue Devils. A&M finished the season 7-6 following its 31-23 loss to No. 20 Oklahoma State in the TaxAct Texas Bowl.