College Station, TX – June 17, 2025 – In a seismic development that has sent shockwaves through the SEC coaching fraternity, Texas A&M Football Offensive Coordinator and Wide Receivers Coach Holmon Wiggins has reportedly turned down a staggering $34 million offer from the Arkansas Razorbacks. The decision, which solidifies Wiggins’s commitment to Mike Elko’s staff in College Station, represents a significant victory for the Aggies and a major blow to Arkansas’s efforts to bolster its offensive leadership.
Wiggins, widely regarded as one of college football’s premier offensive minds and an elite wide receiver developer, joined Texas A&M in January 2024 as Co-Offensive Coordinator and Wide Receivers Coach. His initial contract with the Aggies was reported at $950,000 for the first year, increasing to $1 million in the second year, with incentives. This recent offer from Arkansas, reportedly a multi-year deal worth $34 million in total, would have placed Wiggins among the highest-paid coordinators in the nation, rivaling some FBS head coach salaries.
Sources close to the situation, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of coaching negotiations, confirmed that the Razorbacks mounted an aggressive pursuit of Wiggins. Arkansas, currently led by Head Coach Sam Pittman, has Bobby Petrino as its Offensive Coordinator and Ronnie Fouch as its Wide Receivers Coach. It’s understood that the Razorbacks’ offer to Wiggins likely envisioned a more expansive role, potentially including sole offensive coordinator duties or a significant boost in responsibility and autonomy, in an effort to inject new life and proven success into their offensive scheme.
Wiggins’s coaching pedigree is impeccable. Before arriving at Texas A&M, he spent five seasons at Alabama (2019-2023), including three seasons as the assistant head coach of offense. During his time in Tuscaloosa, Wiggins orchestrated one of the most prolific wide receiver groups in college football history, developing five first-round NFL Draft picks: Jaylen Waddle, DeVonta Smith, Henry Ruggs III, Jameson Williams, and Jerry Jeudy. Notably, he coached DeVonta Smith to a Heisman Trophy and Biletnikoff Award in 2020, marking the first wide receiver to win the Heisman since 1991. He also mentored Jameson Williams and John Metchie III to over 1,000 receiving yards each in 2021, a rare feat.
Prior to Alabama, Wiggins made a significant impact as wide receivers coach at Virginia Tech (2015-2018), where he oversaw the development of Cam Phillips, who became Virginia Tech’s all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards. His career also includes stints at Memphis (wide receivers coach, 2012-2015) and Tulsa (running backs coach, 2011). A former running back at the University of New Mexico, Wiggins began his coaching journey at his alma mater.
His decision to remain at Texas A&M, despite the astronomical financial lure from a fellow SEC institution, speaks volumes about his belief in Coach Elko’s vision and the direction of the Aggies program. In his first season at Texas A&M in 2024, Wiggins played a crucial role in guiding the Aggies to an 8-5 record and a Las Vegas Bowl appearance, including a strong 5-0 start in SEC play. The continuity and stability of the coaching staff, especially on the offensive side of the ball, are critical for developing chemistry and executing a cohesive game plan.
For Texas A&M, retaining Wiggins is a monumental victory. Coordinator stability is a cornerstone of successful programs, and keeping a coach of Wiggins’s caliber ensures continuity for quarterback development, wide receiver progression, and offensive scheme implementation. His ability to recruit and develop elite pass-catching talent is invaluable, particularly as the Aggies navigate the ever-competitive landscape of the SEC. This decision sends a strong message to recruits and the national college football community that Texas A&M is a serious contender, capable of retaining top coaching talent even when faced with aggressive offers.
For Arkansas, the news is a significant setback. While Bobby Petrino is a highly respected offensive mind, the reported pursuit of Wiggins indicates a desire for additional high-impact coaching talent on the offensive side. Missing out on Wiggins, especially after such a substantial offer, means the Razorbacks will need to re-evaluate their offensive coaching structure or pursue other targets to achieve their desired offensive transformation.
The massive figure of $34 million underscores the escalating arms race in college football coaching salaries, particularly in the SEC. Programs are increasingly willing to pay unprecedented amounts to secure and retain top coordinators, recognizing their direct impact on on-field success and recruiting prowess. Wiggins’s decision, however, highlights that factors beyond pure financial compensation—such as fit, long-term vision, and commitment to a head coach—continue to play a critical role in these high-stakes coaching decisions.
As the 2025 season approaches, Holmon Wiggins’s decision to remain in College Station provides a significant boost to Texas A&M’s offensive outlook. The Aggies will look to capitalize on the stability and continuity provided by his presence, aiming to build on their promising start under Coach Elko and continue their ascent in the SEC.
