Texas A&M Football: With 2011 Season Over, What Do Aggies Need to Do Now?

The Texas A&M football team ended the 2011 season with a 33-22 bowl win over Northwestern University and a 7-6 record. It was the first bowl win for the Aggies in a decade and gives the Aggies some momentum heading into recruiting and the offseason.

The question for the Aggies is, what do they need to do next?

They are entering a new conference in 2012 with a new head coach and a new staff. What steps need to be taken between today and Sept. 1, 2012 to get the Aggies ready for the Southeastern Conference?

This is a look at what the Ags need to do in order to prepare for the 2012 season.

Hire a Defensive Coordinator

The first thing that head coach Kevin Sumlin has to do is hire a defensive coordinator.

This is an important hire for Sumlin because many people still view him as an offensive coach who does not care about defense. If Sumlin hires a big name defensive coordinator, then that will go a long way towards challenging the perception of him as a fast break offensive coach.

It does not really matter whether Sumlin hires a name guy or not as long as he gets the right guy. He needs a defensive coordinator who will be able to mold the Aggies defense into a unit that can compete right away in the SEC.

Ideally the Ags will hire a defensive coordinator who uses multiple formations because they have the personnel to run the 3-4 scheme right now. Sumlin is said to favor the 4-3 which most of the teams in the SEC currently run.

The current names that are being mentioned as possible candidates are Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi, Cal defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast and Mississippi State defensive coordinator Chris Wilson. Whoever Sumlin decides to hire will have to hit the ground running as the Ags must replace five starters on the defense.

Fill out the Rest of the Coaching Staff

Kevin Sumlin is only retaining defensive line coach Terrell Williams from the previous staff.

It appears that Sumlin has already filled many of the open positions on his offensive staff. He is bringing many of his assistants with him from Houston.

Expect Kliff Kingbury to be added as the quarterback coach and offensive coordinator. B.J, Anderson will be the OL coach and Clarence McKinney will be the running back coach. David Beatty has been brought in from Kansas to be the wide receiver coach.

There should be an announcement by the end of the week that these coaches have been added to the staff.

Whoever is hired as the new defensive coordinator will likely get to pick the linebacker and secondary coach for his staff.

Recruit Some Defensive Linemen

The Aggies lose at least two starters on the defensive line. Jonathan Mathis' status is still up in the air.

They need help on the defensive line if they are going to compete in the SEC in 2012. Sumlin needs to find a juco defensive lineman who can step in and help right away.

He also needs to offer a scholarship and sign DT Tomme Mark from Lufkin, TX and DE Polo Manukainiu from Euless, TX. Both would be needed to step in right away and contribute significantly in 2012.

Change the Culture

The Aggies found a way to lose five of their six games in 2011. Oklahoma was the better team on the field when they played A&M in Norman.

The Aggies were a mentally weak team that lacked leadership in 2011. The seniors did not step up and lead the team like they should have. Whenever adversity hit in a ballgame, the team would crumble under the pressure.

Kevin Sumlin is a very confident coach. Some of that confidence will rub off on his team.

Former A&M All-Conference player Larry Jackson is expected to be hired as the new strength and conditioning coach at A&M.

Jackson can go a long way towards changing the mental toughness of this team. He needs to prepare the team for four-quarter wars in the SEC.

Decide Who the Starting Quarterback Is

Ryan Tannehill just completed one of the best seasons for a quarterback in the history of A&M football. He will move on to the NFL in 2012.

Sumlin and the rest of the coaching staff need to decide who the starting QB will be to lead the Ags into the SEC.

Jameill Showers returns with the most experience. He and Matt Joeckel will both be red-shirt juniors in 2012.

Johny Manziel participated in spring practice and then red-shirted in 2011. He has four years of eligibility left to play four seasons. He may be the best quarterback on campus when it comes to improvising and making something out of nothing.

Matt Davis will start school in January and will participate in spring drills. He will compete for the starting job with everyone else but is likely to red-shirt.

Expect Manziel to win the starting job because his ability to create while on the run will appeal to Sumlin.

Overhaul the Wide Receiver Corps

The Aggies have a very talented group of wide receivers returning in 2012. Ryan Swope is rumored to be entering the 2012 NFL draft. Even if he leaves the Ags have a lot of talent on campus.

Sumlin and likely David Beatty will be tasked with getting the most out of that potential.

The Aggie wide receivers did not consistently catch the ball in 2011, and the team lost games because of that inconsistency.

The Ags need to get better at catching the ball.

Sumlin added some needed speed to the receiver unit with juco signee Derel Walker.

Wide receivers like Uzoma Nwachukwu, Brandal Jackson and Nate Askew need to step up and be play makers for the Ags to succeed in 2012.