College Station, Texas ? Texas A&M appears poised to retain Billy Gillispie as men’s basketball coach and make him the highest-paid among his Big 12 peers, according to media reports in Texas.

The Houston Chronicle, which cited three high-ranking officials both in and close to the A&M system, reported athletic director Bill Byrne and Gillispie have agreed to a deal that would pay him about $2 million annually.

According to the report, that deal was to be discussed in executive session at an A&M Board of Regents meeting Thursday and made official Monday – just in time for the school to break ground on a $22 million basketball practice facility.

According to ESPN.com, Gillispie did not speak with Arkansas athletic director Frank Broyles.

At the time of Stan Heath’s firing, his staff was told Arkansas intended to pursue Gillispie and Kansas University coach Bill Self, multiple sources told ESPN.com. Self has said several times he does not want the job.

And sources close to Gillispie said the coach was waiting to see if a contract raise and extension were approved by the university board of regents before proclaiming himself a candidate at Arkansas.

An Arkansas official told the Associated Press that the school no longer was pursing Gillispie. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the Razorbacks had “moved on,” and that Byrne said Gillispie intended to remain at Texas A&M.

Wednesday, Broyles said he had offered the Razorbacks’ basketball coaching job to someone, but he wouldn’t say to whom.

“We could have a quick announcement,” Broyles told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on Wednesday. “Or it could fall through. I’ve offered the job, and we’re waiting to hear.”

Gillispie, 47, took the Aggies to the NCAA Tournament’s third round.