LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda rejects Texas A&M’s advances, report says

By CODY WORSHAM | Tiger Rag Editor

LSU is all but surely in the market for one coordinator.

The second is all but surely going nowhere.

In the wake of news that offensive coordinator Matt Canada and LSU will part ways after the Citrus Bowl, The Advocate’s Ross Dellenger reports defensive coordinator Dave Aranda “has spurned” Jimbo Fisher and Texas A&M to join the Aggies in the same position.

News: #LSU DC Dave Aranda has spurned a pursuit from Texas A&M, multiple sources tell the @theadvocatebrhttps://t.co/ij7CmjQCu3

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) January 1, 2018

Aranda makes $1.8 million at LSU, making him the highest-paid coordinator in the country. His defense ranked 11th nationally in total defense in 2017 and 10th nationally in 2016.

A&M just signed Fisher, LSU’s former offensive coordinator, to a 10-year, $75 million deal and are surely willing to spend big to land a defensive mastermind to partner with Fisher. According to The Advocate, Aranda told Joe Alleva and Ed Orgeron in the days leading up to the Citrus Bowl he will remain with LSU.

Aranda’s contract runs through the 2019 season and increases his pay to $1.85 million in 2018 and $1.9 million in 2019. His buyout, were he to leave for a non-head coaching position in the SEC or a program within 500 miles, would be 40 percent of his remaining compensation – about $1.5 million, excluding proration.

This is not the first time the Aggies have pursued LSU’s defensive coordinator preceding a matchup with Notre Dame. Texas A&M poached John Chavis from LSU after the 2014 season before the Tigers’ matchup with the Irish in the Music City Bowl.