Texas A&M to hire John Chavis as defensive coordinator

High expectations for Texas A&M's defensive coordinator search ceded way to increasing frustration over the course of three weeks as Aggies watched big name after big name come off the board.

Yet, late in the process Kevin Sumlin soared in to take one of the nation's very biggest.

At the conclusion of the intently followed hunt for the man to turn around the Aggies' struggling defense, John Chavis — the lauded leader of LSU's perennially elite units — has agreed to leave Baton Rouge and take the same position at A&M.

Prior to Christmas it was asserted that Chavis had an unsigned extension from the Tigers on his desk, later followed by reports that he was in talks with the Aggies. The rumor mill went quiet at that point, but revved up again a week later on Tuesday with various reports that LSU had not upped the offer — and later in the day, that its eventual counter didn't include a raise over the prior one.

The elite defensive coordinator was said to be seriously considering the move even as the Tigers began the Music City Bowl against Notre Dame. Following LSU's loss in Nashville Chavis refused to answer any questions regarding his status with the team, feeding increasing rumors that went into the night.

As first reported by Yahoo Sports, and confirmed by TexAgs, the intra-divisional switch became final Wednesday.

LSU's defenses under Chavis, nicknamed "The Chief," never ranked outside the nation's top 26 in total defense in the six years he coached there under Les Miles — and never outside the top 15 after his first year. The Tigers also averaged a 10th overall ranking in scoring defense in that time.

LSU finished 13th in defensive deficiency in the 2014 regular season.

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