We've seen these SEC movies before.
Jeff Lebby, who was the offensive coordinator at Oklahoma, is a more interesting hire for Cowbell than Mike Elko is for Texas A&M. Lebby is an offensive minded coach and that is what fans want these days. He was previously the offensive coordinator for Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss. Mississippi State is not going to start winning conference championships, but if Lebby can win 6 or 7 games a year in Starkville and play an exciting brand of football then he's set. I think Lebby can replicate what Mullen and Leach did there. State has an innovative AD in Zac Selmon son of Dewey Selmon and nephew of Lee Roy Salmon both legends at Oklahoma. State fans, for better or for worse, are energized again after being put to sleep by Zach Arnett.
On the other hand, Texas A&M, I think, is going to be disappointed with Elko moving back to College Station where he was defensive coordinator under Jimbo before he became the head coach at Duke. A&M fans are positive with Elko only because they thought they were getting Mark Stoops.
A&M got a little ahead of Texas when the Aggies went to the SEC, but now that the Longhorns are moving to the SEC I can see A&M returning to its second fiddle status in the Lone Star state. A&M's expectations are too high for what they can achieve right now. I can see Elko not doing any better, and a good chance worse, than what Jimbo Fisher did.
Schools are willing to pay a lot for mediocrity. It costs a lot to try to be middle of the road in the SEC.
Just came across this little nugget.
