By JAMES MORAN | Tiger Rag Associate Editor

LSU isn’t out of the woods yet when it comes to keeping its defensive coordinator from bolting to an SEC West rival.

Texas A&M is taking another run at hiring Dave Aranda, two sources told Tiger Rag, and this time the Aggies brought their checkbooks.

Aranda, who reportedly turned down an initial overture from Texas A&M earlier this week, is already college football’s highest paid assistant coach and stands to make $1.85 million in 2018.

According to Brent Zwerneman, the Texas A&M beat reporter for the Houston Chronicle, Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher has “zeroed in” on Aranda to join his staff as defensive coordinator.

LSU’s defense has been dominant under Aranda, finishing the 2017 season 12th in total defense after finishing 10th in 2016. He joined LSU from Wisconsin, where his defenses ranked consistently in the top five nationally. He’s also been rumored to be a potential candidate for the Green Bay Packers’ defensive coordinator role.

Two sources also told Tiger Rag in addition to a hefty salary increase, Aranda would be able to hire his own defensive staff at A&M. Fisher announced his offensive staff earlier Wednesday, which includes former LSU assistant Dameyune Craig.