RC out as Aggie coach

R.C. Slocum’s 14 year run as the Aggies headcoach has finally ended. Whoop!

Now, don’t get me wrong. I like R.C. and all that he has done for Aggie football over the past 14 years. He is a class act and represented A&M well.

Why am I glad you ask? Let’s review some important points. Texas is a hot bed of high school football talent — a recruiters paradise. The Aggies, Sooners, and Longhorns all draw talent and support across the state. OU and tu have made major advances since the dawn of Big XII. And the Aggies?

While R.C. is 123-47-2 overall in his 14 years at A&M, the Aggies were only 32-24 in the Big XII. Let’s break the conference record down a little more since the start of the Big XII in 1996:

• Texas Tech 2-5
• Texas 2-5 (3 straight losses)
• Oklahoma 4-3
• Colorado 1-3
• Nebraska 1-4 (includes 54-15 loss in ‘97 Big XII Championship)
• Kansas State 3-2 (includes 36-33 win in ‘98 Big XII Championship)

That’s 13-22 against the six teams that the Aggies must challenge for the Big XII title every year. Starting to see the problem? The Aggies cannot compete with the top programs the way they should. There is no reason that the Aggies, Longhorns, and Sooners are not top 15 programs year-in, year-out. No reason at all. The Aggies have not even finished in the top 25 the past 3 seasons! Each school has the recruiting base, financial support, and facilities.

Still not seeing a reason to change coaches? Look at R.C.’s bowl record, 3-8. Wins over BYU, Michigan, and TCU. The losses:

• 1989 John Hancock Bowl #23 Pittsburgh 31, #16 A&M 28
• 1992 Cotton Bowl #5 Florida State 10, #9 A&M 2
• 1993 Cotton Bowl #5 Notre Dame 28, #3 A&M 3
• 1994 Cotton Bowl #4 Notre Dame 24, #6 A&M 21
• 1998 Cotton Bowl #5 UCLA 29, #19 A&M 23
• 1999 Sugar Bowl #3 Ohio State 24, #8 A&M 14
• 1999 Alamo Bowl #13 Penn State 24, #13 A&M 0
• 2000 Independence Bowl Mississippi State 43, A&M 41

Don’t forget that R.C. has gone through 7 offensive coordinators in his 14 years. He was quick to blame Bob Toledo, Steve Ensminger, Dino Babers for Aggie failures. The Aggies have a blue chip QB in Reggie McNeal. They cannot afford a repeat of Brandon Stewart and Mark Farris.

R.C. was great for Aggie football, but a change is needed. A new voice is needed to recruit, coach and guide the Aggies if they ever hope to compete on the national scene. And compete they must. Texas A&M is a world-class university and needs its football program to do its part. The Aggies must deliver top 15 seasons year-in, year-out given the school’s vast resources.