Cowboys linebackers coach Gary Gibbs flew to College Station on Friday afternoon to interview for Texas A&M's defensive coordinator position, according to two Cowboys sources.

A&M media relations director Alan Cannon confirmed that Gibbs was in town. Gibbs was at Cowboys practice earlier Friday and was expected back Saturday.

Gibbs, 53, who was Oklahoma's head coach from 1989 to 1994, offers an attractive combination of major college and NFL experience. He served as Oklahoma's defensive coordinator from 1981 to 1988, with the Sooners leading the nation in total defense from 1985-87. Gibbs also held that position at Georgia in 2000 and LSU in 2001.

Gibbs has coached the Cowboys' linebackers since 2002. Hiring coaches with NFL backgrounds has become trendy in college football and is considered an added appeal in recruiting.

Only one member of A&M's staff has NFL experience, and that was only for one season: Offensive coordinator Les Koenning was an offensive assistant for the Miami Dolphins in 1997.

A&M is expected to be able to offer Gibbs a significant raise. The average NFL linebackers coach earned $212,000 last season, and Gibbs' salary is believed to be in that range.

Carl Torbush, fired as A&M's defensive coordinator last month, made $250,000, and athletic director Bill Byrne has put an emphasis on paying assistants well to build a strong staff and ensure continuity.