The college football landscape just got a little more intriguing—and a whole lot more personal—as Texas A&M has made a bold and calculated move, hiring a former Texas Longhorns assistant coach to join its football staff ahead of the 2025 season. In a rivalry that already burns with decades of history, pride, and emotion, the latest development adds a compelling new chapter to the ongoing battle for supremacy between the two college football powerhouses.
The coach in question is none other than Jeff Banks, the highly respected special teams coordinator and tight ends coach who spent several successful seasons with the Longhorns under head coach Steve Sarkisian. Known for his innovative schemes, high-energy presence on the sideline, and recruiting prowess in the state of Texas, Banks is widely considered one of the top assistants in the country. His departure from Austin may sting for Longhorn fans, but for Texas A&M, it represents a significant acquisition in its continued efforts to reassert itself as a national contender in the post-Jimbo Fisher era.
Banks, who began his coaching career in the early 2000s, has seen his stock steadily rise thanks to an impressive resume built across multiple major programs. Prior to his time in Austin, Banks served on the Alabama Crimson Tide staff, where he played a vital role in building some of the most dominant special teams units in the nation and helped guide the team to a national championship. When Sarkisian was hired by Texas, he made Banks one of his first calls—bringing him on board as associate head coach, special teams coordinator, and tight ends coach.
His time at Texas was marked by noticeable improvement in special teams performance, increased efficiency in the kicking game, and the emergence of tight ends as true offensive weapons in the Longhorns’ system. Perhaps just as importantly, Banks played a pivotal role in recruiting key talent to Austin, including several high-profile prospects who have since developed into major contributors at the collegiate level. His connections throughout Texas high school football circles, particularly in the Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston areas, gave Texas a leg up on the trail.
Now, he’ll be using those same connections—and that same expertise—for the Aggies.
Sources close to the program indicate that Texas A&M made a strong push to bring Banks on board, identifying him as a target early in their offseason restructuring. Following an underwhelming 2024 campaign that failed to meet expectations, Texas A&M has been aggressive in rebuilding its staff, aiming to blend veteran coaching acumen with dynamic recruiting ability. The addition of Banks is widely viewed as a coup, not only because of his resume, but also because of what it symbolizes: the Aggies are not afraid to raid their archrival’s coaching tree in pursuit of excellence.
For Banks, the decision to leave Austin was reportedly not made lightly. His relationship with Sarkisian remained strong through the end of the 2024 season, and his family had become well-rooted in the Austin community. However, the opportunity presented by Texas A&M—a more elevated role, significant compensation, and the chance to help reshape a storied program—proved too enticing to pass up. According to sources, Banks will be taking on expanded responsibilities in College Station, including the title of associate head coach and a larger hand in overall offensive strategy.
It’s a move that is already causing ripples across the college football landscape, particularly in the state of Texas. The rivalry between Texas and Texas A&M was reignited in full when both programs re-entered the Southeastern Conference fray, with high-stakes games on the calendar and recruiting battles intensifying year after year. Adding a layer of drama, Banks will now be recruiting against the very program he helped build—and coaching against former colleagues in one of the most anticipated matchups on the college football calendar.
While neither program has publicly commented extensively on the hire, reactions from players, alumni, and fans have been swift and passionate. Texas fans expressed a mixture of surprise and disappointment at the news, with many acknowledging the instrumental role Banks played during his time in Austin. On the flip side, Aggie Nation has embraced the hire with excitement, celebrating it as a statement of intent by the administration and a sign that Texas A&M is fully committed to competing with the nation’s elite.
Several former players who worked under Banks have taken to social media to praise the coach, calling him “a leader of men,” “one of the best teachers in the game,” and “a relentless recruiter.” Those qualities, they say, will make him an asset anywhere he goes—and a headache for anyone who has to compete against him.
But perhaps what makes this development most fascinating is how personal it feels. The Texas-Texas A&M rivalry is more than just a football game. It’s tradition, it’s identity, it’s bragging rights that last 365 days a year. Every move made by one program is felt by the other, and this particular move strikes a chord on multiple levels. Not only is Banks a highly respected coach, but he was deeply embedded in the Longhorns’ recent resurgence. To see him cross the divide—donning maroon instead of burnt orange—is a jarring image for many in Austin.
College football, of course, is no stranger to coaching changes, loyalty shifts, and rivalries being tested in the name of opportunity. Still, this one feels different. With Texas continuing its rise under Sarkisian and A&M searching for renewed momentum, the 2025 season is already setting up to be one of the most compelling in recent memory. And when the Longhorns and Aggies meet again, you can bet the cameras will find Jeff Banks—on the opposite sideline, calling plays, inspiring players, and helping write the next chapter of a rivalry that refuses to lose its edge.
There’s also a tactical aspect to the move that should not be overlooked. Texas A&M has struggled at times with special teams consistency and has failed to fully unlock the potential of its tight ends in recent seasons. Banks addresses both needs immediately, bringing a track record of maximizing production from those units. The Aggies’ new head coach—looking to turn potential into performance—understood that if the program was going to make a leap, it needed staff members who had already operated at the highest level. In Banks, they believe they’ve found that guy.
Recruiting impact, too, will be watched closely. With both programs fighting for dominance in Texas, Louisiana, and the Southeast, any edge could prove decisive. Banks has already begun reaching out to high school coaches across the region and is expected to play a major role in shaping the Aggies’ 2026 class. Whether or not his presence will swing key battles remains to be seen, but insiders suggest that A&M’s pitch just got a little more compelling.
As spring turns to summer and anticipation builds for the fall, all eyes will be on how this move plays out. Will Texas regret letting one of its top assistants walk? Will Banks help elevate Texas A&M into SEC contention? And will the 2025 Lone Star showdown carry added emotion now that one of the architects of Texas’ recent success is standing on the opposite sideline?
These questions won’t be answered for months, but one thing is already clear: in the world of college football, timing and ambition often outweigh allegiance and familiarity. Jeff Banks’ decision to trade burnt orange for maroon is a reminder that the game is constantly evolving—and that loyalty can sometimes take a back seat to legacy.
For Texas A&M, this hire is about more than just football. It’s a declaration. And for Jeff Banks, it’s the start of a new journey—one that just so happens to run straight through the heart of the fiercest rivalry in college sports.