Jim Schlossnagle Officially Hired By Texas Longhorns, Eighteen Hours After Pledging His Love For Texas A&M

One day after losing to Tennessee in the College World Series and pledging his love for Texas A&M, Jim Schlossnagle accepted the same position at Texas. 

Following the gut-wrenching loss Monday night, Aggies head coach Jim Schlossnagle took aim at a reporter during the postgame news conference for being asked about the opening at Texas. He professed his allegiance to the Texas A&M baseball program, trying his best to shut down talk of him taking the Longhorns coaching position. 

Just 18 hours later, Chip Brown from 247 Sports reports that Schlossnagle has decided to leave College Station after three years to reunite with his former boss Chris Del Conte in Austin, Texas. The news isn't as shocking to folks who were around the College World Series national title game on Monday night, as rumors were flying that the Longhorns were going to make a push for the Aggies head coach. 

On Monday night, Schlossnagle released a statement about leaving Texas A&M for the Longhorns. 

"I would like to thank General Welsh, Trev Alberts and the 12th Man for an incredible experience during my time at Texas A&M," Schlossnagle said in a statement. "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."

Jim Schlossnagle also reportedly has a $1.35 million buyout, that would actually jump to $2.7 million if he were to take another job inside the state of Texas, so this was a major financial decision by the Longhorns.

OMAHA, NEBRASKA - JUNE 22: Head coach Jim Schlossnagle of the Texas A&M Aggies looks on before the game against the Tennessee Volunteers during the Division I Men's Baseball Championship held at Charles Schwab Field on June 22, 2024 in Omaha, Nebraska.  (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

So, as the news broke Tuesday evening that Jim Schlossnagle has decided to accept the job, Texas A&M fans are left in shock that their coach would leave for the hated in-state rival. Unfortunately, Schlossnagle did himself zero favors in the eyes of college baseball fans when he took aim at a question regarding the opening at Texas. 

"I think it's pretty selfish of you to ask me that question, to be honest with you," Schlossnagle said. "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. That would be like you asking [Braden] Montgomery if he's going to sign in the [MLB] draft. 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."

Jim Schlossnagle Has Lost Credibility Outside Of Austin

If there's one thing that Jim Schlossnagle has lost in all of this, if the reported news comes to fruition, it's the credibility that he tried to maintain while at Texas A&M. Look, we hear this type of stuff all the time from coaches when their names are brought-up regarding another enticing job. 

Usually the coach will completely deny interest or they say that it's just not the right time to be discussing the situation. But Jim Schlossnagle went all-in on his love for Texas A&M, bringing up his family as an excuse for not looking at another job, while his team headed back to the hotel following the heartbreaking loss. 

On Tuesday afternoon, Texas A&M fans lined up outside the athletic facility to welcome the Aggies back from Omaha, cheering them on as they got off the bus. This was a sign of appreciation. I'd imagine a majority of those fans did not think just hours later that their head coach would leave for the in-state rival.  

OMAHA, NEBRASKA - JUNE 24: Head coach Jim Schlossnagle of the Texas A&M Aggies shakes hands with head coach Tony Vitello of the Tennessee Volunteers before game three of the Division I Men's Baseball Championship held at Charles Schwab Field on June 24, 2024 in Omaha, Nebraska.  (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

But unfortunately, this is another example of coaches not knowing when to just shut their mouth, and not dig themselves into a hole, like Jim Schlossnagle did Monday night. 

If you are a parent of a Texas recruit, how are you feeling about trusting the reported new head coach? How about the players at Texas A&M, who just gave their all to the head coach they trusted? Once again, this is another example of how schools should be careful on who they go into business with. I'm certainly not implying that Jim Schlossnagle is a bad guy, as it's actually the total opposite. But his credibility is now something he will have a hard time regaining outside of Austin, Texas. 

Hopefully the players that trusted Jim at Texas A&M will get a coach that will stick to his word, or at least not use his family as a shield as to why he would not entertain the thought of leaving for another job. 

The Aggies deserve better, and the Longhorns are getting a great coach. Once again, college athletics fails to disappoint when it comes to headlines.