Texas A&M coach bolts for rival Texas one day after College World Series

That was a reference to Texas Athletic Director Chris Del Conte, who served in the same role during eight of Schlossnagle’s 18 years as TCU’s coach. Saying Tuesday that he has known Schlossnagle “for a long time,” Del Conte praised the 53-year-old coach’s skills in leadership and program building.

“And the best part,” Del Conte added, “is he’s an even better person.”

Some Texas A&M supporters might now dispute that characterization. While the news did not come as a shock, given rumors that had been swirling about the possibility of Schlossnagle’s move, he had provided Aggies fans reason Monday to feel confident it wouldn’t happen.

“I took the job at Texas A&M to never take another job again,” Schlossnagle said then, “and that hasn’t changed in my mind.”

Those comments came at a news conference after the Aggies fell Sunday to Tennessee, 6-5, in the third and deciding game of the CWS final. Shortly afterward, a reporter asked Schlossnagle about “the rumors circulating today about a specific job opening,” referring to news earlier in the day that Texas had parted ways with its coach, David Pierce.

“I think it’s pretty selfish of you to ask me that question, to be honest with you,” Schlossnagle told the reporter, adding that it was “unfair” to have raised the subject. “I left my family to be the coach at Texas A&M. … I understand you’ve got to ask the question, but I gave up a big part of my life to come take this job, and I poured every ounce of my soul in this job and I’ve given this job every ounce I could possibly give it. Write that.”

On Tuesday, Schlossnagle thanked Texas A&M officials and the school’s “12th Man” fan base for “an incredible experience during my time” at the school.

“The run to the National Championship game was truly a remarkable one this year,” he said, “and I will savor the memories and true friendships I have made there for a lifetime.”

The Aggies had never been to the CWS final and had just two total wins in the tournament before Schlossnagle arrived in 2022. Between that year and this, he went 6-4 in the CWS and had Texas A&M on the brink of its first national championship in baseball, football or men’s basketball since 1939. The 53 wins posted by the 2024 Aggies, against just 15 losses, were their most since 1993, and they finished as national runners-up for the first time in program history. Overall, Schlossnagle went 135-62 in College Station.

“After our baseball team arrived back in College Station earlier today, Jim informed me of his desire to leave Texas A&M. While we are certainly disappointed, we are grateful for his contributions in helping our baseball program reach unprecedented heights,” Aggies Athletic Director Trev Alberts said Tuesday in a statement. “Baseball success is important to everyone associated with Texas A&M, we will not stop in our pursuit of excellence and our commitment to baseball will not waver.

“On behalf of Texas A&M Athletics, we wish Jim and his family well as they move on to another challenge. We will find a great leader and excellent coach to head up this proud Aggie baseball program.”

Schlossnagle had come to Texas A&M from TCU, where he coached from 2004 to 2021. In that time, he led the Horned Frogs to five CWS appearances and, with a 734-346 overall record, became their all-time winningest coach. A native of Hagerstown, Md., Schlossnagle played at Elon and began his coaching career there before his first head coaching job came at UNLV.

Following Pierce, who spent eight years leading the Longhorns, Schlossnagle is just the seventh Texas baseball coach since 1911. He takes over a program that has won six national titles but none since 2005.

The Longhorns just finished their final season in the Big 12 and are set to move to the SEC, a traditional powerhouse baseball conference that has produced five straight national champions and six of the past seven.

Also currently in the SEC and, presumably, eagerly awaiting the arrival of Texas is Texas A&M, which joined the conference in 2012. Schlossnagle’s defection will add a notable layer to the resumption of one of college sports’ most long-standing and bitter rivalries.

“What a home run hire,” Texas President Jay Hartzell said in a statement. “Coach Schlossnagle is the best in the business, his long list of accomplishments is incredible, and his track record of building great programs is well documented. … We’re looking forward to great days ahead with Coach Schloss leading our Longhorns.”