In a surprising turn of events, Texas A&M has fired head coach Jimbo Fisher, leading to speculation about who will be the next full-time coach for the Aggies. Fisher was let go despite a record $76 million contract buyout following a resounding 51-10 home victory against Mississippi State. The firing also coincided with the dismissal of Mississippi State coach Zach Arnett.

As Texas A&M looks to fill the unique position, oddsmakers at SportsLine have released their predictions for the next head coach. With the school's deep-pocketed oil-rich boosters, the financial implications of Fisher's buyout could pose a challenge in securing a new coach with high contract expectations.

One potential candidate that the school may pursue is Oregon's Dan Lanning, although his $20 million buyout could strain Texas A&M's budget. The overall expenditure, including assistant buyouts and new staff hires, could exceed a staggering $150 million. The decision to offer Fisher a new 10-year contract worth $95 million guaranteed in 2021 is now considered one of the worst choices in college football coaching history, partly motivated by the fear of Fisher leaving for LSU, which ultimately went to Brian Kelly.

Apart from financial considerations, the fit and connections to the Texas football landscape are also crucial factors in the search for Fisher's successor. Two front-runners emerge as favorites within this framework: UTSA's Jeff Traylor and Duke's Mike Elko. Traylor, having led UTSA to back-to-back Conference USA titles and winning the league's coach of the year honors in 2021 and 2022, is considered an attractive option for the Aggies. His buyout stands at $7 million, suggesting he is primed to make the leap to College Station.

Elko, a former defensive coordinator under Fisher at Texas A&M, currently heads the Duke football program. While the Blue Devils have faced challenges with multiple injuries, Elko's familiarity with the Aggies' coaching system and a relatively low $5 million buyout make him an intriguing candidate for the position.

Another name on the radar is Kalen DeBoer, who has propelled Washington to an unbeaten record and positioned them as potential Pac-12 title contenders. DeBoer, an offensive-minded coach like Fisher, has experienced tremendous success with quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and boasts an impressive 21-2 record in his two seasons. While DeBoer does not have any ties to Texas, nor does Oregon's Lanning, their programs' impending move to the Big Ten might discourage them from considering a move to the SEC.

Lane Kiffin, the current head coach of Ole Miss, is no stranger to being linked to SEC coaching vacancies. Rumors have circulated that he might secure a pay raise to remain at Ole Miss, where he currently earns around $9 million. The size of his potential buyout remains unclear, but Kiffin's profile and visibility could be enticing for Texas A&M.

Mike Norvell of Florida State and James Franklin of Penn State also appear on the list of potential candidates, although each brings their own set of challenges. Norvell might be enticed to leave the ACC, while Franklin's struggles against Michigan and Ohio State may prompt him to seek new challenges.

There are a couple of dream candidates that would undoubtedly excite Aggies fans: Urban Meyer and Deion Sanders. However, Meyer seems content with his television role, while Sanders is unlikely to leave Colorado while his sons continue to play there.

The search for Texas A&M's next head coach promises to be a fascinating one, with financial constraints, Texas connections, and successful coaching records all factoring into the decision-making process. As the Aggies navigate this critical transition, football enthusiasts eagerly await the announcement of the next full-time coach who will take the reins in College Station.