Before Texas hired Jim Schlossnagle, the former Texas A&M baseball coach berated a reporter for asking whether he was considering taking a job with the Aggies' in-state rival.
Calling a reporter “selfish” while saying you aren’t leaving Texas A&M only to accept the job at Texas less than 24 hours later is wild. Just another example of why college athletes need to look after themselves first and foremost.pic.twitter.com/Xk0MGuTUJk
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) June 25, 2024
"I think it's pretty selfish of you to ask me that question, to be honest with you," Schlossnagle said Monday after losing to Tennessee in the Men's College World Series Finals. "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. I understand that you have to ask the question. But I gave up a big part of my life to come take this job. I have given every ounce of my soul to this job. And I have given this job every single ounce I can give it. Write that."
So much for never taking another job. In a statement released on Tuesday, Schlossnagle confirmed he was leaving Texas A&M. Sports business analyst Joe Pompilano, who shared the clip, pointed out that this is why college athletes should look out for themselves first, and he has a point.
Coaches often gripe about players transferring and the lack of loyalty in modern college athletics, only to bolt when another opportunity presents itself. In 2021, Schlossnagle left TCU for Texas A&M after insisting he would stay with the Horned Frogs.
Carter Karels of 247Sports reported Schlossnagle's departure had been "in the works" before the College World Series and that he plans to bring his staff to Texas.
"Will he stop there? Or will he attempt to pluck away key Aggie players, like All-American Jace LaViolette and SEC Freshman of the Year Gavin Grahovac?" wrote Karels. "He might as well go full Red Wedding."
Schlossnagle's decision to chastise Richard Zane of TexasAgs (the reporter who asked about the Texas job) isn't a good look, either. On his X account, longtime sportswriter John McClain argued that Schlossnagle should apologize to Zane and believes the coach could lose his credibility outside of his new Texas stomping grounds.
The first thing Jim Schlossnagle should do is call the TexAgs reporter, Richard Zane, and apologize for insulting him about his question about the Longhorns' job after the defeat. Schlossnagle will never have any credibility again except in Austin.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) June 25, 2024
The move may hurt Schlossnagle's reputation, but he will likely prosper with Texas, which joins Texas A&M in the Southeastern Conference in 2024. In 23 seasons of college baseball, Schlossnagle has made seven College World Series trips. He went 135-62 in three seasons with the Aggies.
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