NCAA BASEBALL
Why did Texas hire Jim Schlossnagle as the new head coach?
Less than 24 hours after losing the College World Series, Texas A&M head coach Jim Schlossnagle denied being courted by Texas, and then took the job anyway.
It was an open secret that the University of Texas was looking for a new head baseball coach, and that they were very interested in local in-state rival Texas A&M’s head coach Jim Schlossnagle for the job. After the season that he and the Aggies have had, it would be churlish not to look at him.
In the post-game press conference after losing Game 3 of the College World Series to Tennessee, things got very weird, very quickly. In a Saint Peter-like moment of denying Christ, Schlossnagle was visibly agitated and called a reporter “selfish” for asking him about the rumors linking him to a possible Texas move.
“I think it’s pretty selfish of you to ask me that question, to be honest with you,” said Schlossnagle. “But I left my family to be the coach at Texas A&M. I took the job at Texas A&M to never take another job again. And that hasn’t changed in my mind. That’s unfair to talk about something like that. I understand you’ve gotta ask the question. But I gave up a big part of my life to come take this job, and I’ve poured every ounce of my soul in this job. And I’ve given this job every single ounce I can possibly give it. Write that.”
Thrice did he deny him. Or in the words of Shakespeare, “The lady doth protest too much, methinks.” Schlossnagle stormed out of the press conference under a cloud, and straight into the comforting arms of the Texas Longhorns. The flagship institution in the Lone Star state is set to pay out the $2.7 million to buy his contract from A&M and start a new era in Austin.
Schlossnagle released a statement through Texas A&M saying, “Although I know many will be upset with my decision, I chose to make a change to join a longtime friend to continue my career as a college baseball coach. The run to the national championship game was truly a remarkable one this year, and I will savor the memories and true friendships I have made there for a lifetime.”
While some fans will be rolling their eyes at the drama of the move, remembering when Schloss said and did all or this before upon moving from TCU to A&M halfway through the season, the facts speak for themselves. A 22-year NCAA coaching veteran, Jim Schlossnagle has led UNLV, TCU, and A&M to a total 19 NCAA Tournament appearances, including seven trips to the College World Series.
Schlossnagle is yet to win a national championship, but Texas are hoping that he could change all of that in burnt orange. And from next season, the Longhorns and Aggies will not only be state rivals, but also division rivals, with the move by Texas into the SEC. The Longhorns feel that they have the right man, even if he denied them previously. If he makes up for it on the baseball field, then all will be forgiven.