why would they make this move now unless they had someone at least in advanced negotiations? I guess they are who they are so there's no telling why they do the dumb shit that they do, but still.
And I find it hard to believe that Lanning or DeBoer would even be discussing anything (even through agents) in the midst of a CFP run. Same with Norvell. It's very on brand for them to just assume they could get a guy who is literally in the middle of a top 5 national championship season to even listen to their bleating. (except as a way to get leverage for a raise at their current place)
Elko makes sense, not a splash hire but he has already been there and seems to be doing well at Duke although he has cooled off from his white hot start to the season. Solid guy who has already been subjected to their weirdness, wouldn't be cheap but wouldn't be in the same stratosphere as what it would take to lure a DeBoer, Norvell or Lanning away from their respective great situations. Makes almost too much sense, which is why it probably won't happen.
Klieman and Traylor also make sense but are not splashes, which again begs the question of why now? Also Klieman seems like he might be one of these program loyalty guys who stay at K-State for like 15 years to me.
Kiffin would be funny, I doubt he would do it because it seems like he doesn't like A&M or their culture. But he has been nothing if not a mercenary in his career, so who knows?
Kingsbury would be really funny, and the kind of hire I could see them trumpeting. "NFL coach! Knows not to walk on the grass! Offensive genius! Ray Bans!". but it's too funny to hope for.