Tag: Jim Schlossnagle

The 2024 Texas A&M baseball team will be honored at Kyle Field on Saturday

The 2024 Texas A&M baseball team will finally get the recognition they deserve at Kyle Field on Saturday

Last season was very special for the Texas A&M baseball team. As a preseason top-10 team, they met expectations by reaching the College World Series Championship. A heartbreaking series loss hurt, but it ignited the program with some eagerness about the future.

Even though we typically don’t throw parades for second place, they deserved to be recognized for taking A&M to a national championship in one of the big three sports. Instead, the little shine the players should have received was hijacked by the announcement that head coach Jim Schlossnagle was leaving, taking the coaching staff with him.

To add insult to injury, he did it less than 24 hours after hinting he was staying in Aggieland to build something. Then, to leave for Texas, the arch-nemesis of A&M set college sports on fire. So, a national search kicked off, and they ended up right back at home, hiring assistant coach Mike Earley as the new head coach. He was able to retain a majority of the roster and will have a tier squad for the 2025 season

According to TexAgs’ Ryan Brauninger, the 2023-2024 team will be recognized during Texas A&M’s season finale vs. the Texas Longhorns on Saturday night.

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Texas A&M baseball vs. Texas 2025 series destination has been announced

Texas A&M will head to Austin, Texas to face former head coach Jim Schlossnagle this season.

Texas A&M’s 2025 SEC baseball schedule amid the start of the Mike Earley head coaching era has been announced to the public, and the game that every fan has their eyes on is, of course, taking on rival Texas and former head coach Jim Schlossnagle.

Schlossnagle’s shocking exit took place just days after Texas A&M’s Game 3 loss to Tennessee in the National Title series. This triggered mass media chaos for a sport that rarely receives national coverage, as Schlossnagle openly berated a TexAgs reporter who asked him if the Texas rumors were legitimate beforehand.

However, knowing that Schlossnalge’s close relationship with Texas AD Chris Del Conte essentially solidified the move, the dust has settled, but the rivalry has never been stronger since.

For Texas A&M, former hitting coach Michael “Mike” Earley briefly left with Schlossnagle to Texas before returning to College Station to take over as the program’s new head coach, spurring nearly the entire 2024 roster to return, led by star hitters Jace LaViolette and Gavin Grahovic, while ace pitcher Ryan Prager returns to the mound.

Many of us thought this offseason that due to the drama, Schlossnagle having to return to Blue Bell Park for the series next season made the most sense, but it was revealed that Texas A&M will travel to the 40 acres on April 25-27.

For those upset about the destination, both fan bases readily travel, especially for the two-hour drive from College Station to Austin, Texas.

Nevertheless, get your popcorn ready because we’re in for quite the matchup.

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‘You’re the enemy,’ Lions coach Dan Campbell criticizes Schlossnagle’s exit from Texas A&M

“I hate to see him go, ’cause he’s a good coach.” On the flipside, man, hey, sayonara. So, now you’re the enemy, so let’s go beat his a**.”

Detroit Lions head coach and Texas A&M alumnus Dan Campbell shared his opinion this week about Jim Schlossnagle’s exit from the baseball program in College Station for the Longhorns in Austin.

In a radio interview Wednesday on Dallas’ 96.7 The Ticket, Campbell didn’t mince words.

“You try to put yourself in his shoes, and who knows the decisions, the reasons. What do you say, what do you not say? It’s one of those tough moments, I hate to criticize,” Campbell said. “I know this, as an Aggie, I hate to see him go, ’cause he’s a good coach. Immediately after though, he tipped his hand — if ever so slightly. On the flipside, man, hey, sayonara. So, now you’re the enemy, so let’s go beat his a**.”

Detroit begins the 2024 season against the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 8 at 7:20 p.m. Campbell’s Aggies host Notre Dame at Kyle Field on Aug. 31 at 6:30 p.m.

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University of Texas baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle speaks at his introductory news conference at the Frank Denius Family University Hall of Fame Wednesday June 26, 2024.

Texas baseball flips RHP Drew Rerick from from Texas A&M

Elite RHP Drew Rerick flips commitment from the Texas A&M Aggies

After failing to advance to the College World Series for a second consecutive season, the Texas Longhorns decided to move off of head coach David Pierce this summer. The decision proved to be for the best as the Longhorns were able to pry Texas A&M head coach Jim Schlossnagle away from College Station a day after guiding them to their first CWS Championship Series.

On top of stealing Schlossnagle, the Longhorns have had success poaching some of the Aggie roster as well as the 2025 recruiting class.

Today, Texas’s success continues as Coach Schloss was able to flip one of the top right-handed pitchers in the 2025 class, Drew Rerick from the Aggies. Rerick is a North Dakota native and likely the state’s best MLB draft prospect ever with his fastballs already reaching 98mph at 18 years old.

At 6’5 and 230 pounds, Rerick has a massive frame with a three-quarter style delivery and was named North Dakota’s Gatorade high school player of the year. Drew’s father, Michael, was a 22nd-round selection by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1998 MLB draft.

According to MLB.com, Rerick is ranked as the No. 140 overall draft prospect in the 2024 MLB draft.

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Texas baseball to compete in the second annual Las Vegas Classic

Texas announced they will take part in another in-season tournament.

The Texas Longhorns baseball team will take part in the second annual Las Vegas Classic in the 2025 season the school announced via social media. It will be the first year under new head coach Jim Schlossnagle, who Texas hired away from in-state rivals, the Texas A&M Aggies.

After finishing 36-24 this past season with disappointing postseason play, the Texas Longhorns decided to move on from head coach David Pierce after eight years with the program. Athletic director Chris Del Conte’s decision to move off Pierce proved to be a wise one, and the Longhorns were able to make the home run hire of the offseason.

The anticipation for his first year on the Forty Acres is palpable, especially as the Longhorns transition to a loaded SEC.

As Texas gears up for a loaded conference schedule, they will travel West from Feb. 28 to Mar. 2 to compete in the Las Vegas Classic. It will be the second year of the round-robin-styled tournament with the Illinois Fighting Illini, Texas Tech Red Raiders, and Washington Huskies.

2024 was the first time this tournament was held with the Pittsburgh Panthers being crowned champions over the California Golden Bears, Ohio State Buckeyes, and Oklahoma Sooners. The Las Vegas Classic will be held at the Las Vegas Aviators stadium, home of the Athletics Triple-A affiliate.

Texas will open the season at Globe Life Field

Year 1 of the Jim Schlossnagle era will get underway in The Shriners Children’s College Showdown at Globe Life Field, the home of the 2023 World Series Champions. They will be joined by the Arizona Wildcats, Clemson Tigers, Louisville Cardinals,  Oklahoma State Cowboys, and Ole Miss Rebels.

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Texas A&M junior RHP Josh Stewart says ‘none of us wanted to leave’ after Schlossnagle did

“We’re such a tight knit group that none of us wanted to leave and miss out on the camaraderie that we’ve built in the last year,” he said.

A group of Texas A&M baseball players were present Tuesday afternoon as Michael Earley was introduced as the program’s new head coach.

One of those guys was junior right-handed pitcher Josh Stewart, who spoke to KBTX sports reporter Nicole Griffith and shared his thoughts on the hiring.

“We were in the locker room after we had that meeting with the athletic director and General Welsh. It was like, ‘I don’t want to leave,’ and there were some guys like, ‘If you don’t leave, I’m not going to leave.’ So we’re such a tight knit group that none of us wanted to leave and none of us wanted to miss out on the camaraderie that we’ve built in the last year,” Stewart recalled. “We were all texting and we just thought it would be a really good sign to be here and support him because a lot of us were sending messages and calls.

“Like athletic director Trev said, that Jace called him a bunch. So we figured it would be a good show to come here and support him when he’s getting introduced as the new coach.”

Josh’s cousin Kohl Stewart was picked fourth overall in the 2013 MLB draft. He’ll attempt to follow in those footsteps next year after another strong season on the bump at Blue Bell Park.

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Penn transfer Wyatt Henseler re-commits to Texas A&M

Top Texas A&M transfer Wyatt Henseler re-commits to the Aggies after recently opening his recruitment

With the news of Jim Schlossnagle leaving, not only did several players jump in the portal to protect themselves, but recruits also decided to re-open their recruitment while waiting for the next coach to be named. Top transfer Wyatt Henseler was one of those recruits, and he drew strong interest from Texas and LSU.

For Texas A&M fans, the news of Henseler’s decision to stay is a reason to be optimistic. Not only did they see a majority of the 2024 team core withdraw from the portal, but Henseler also confirmed he is still headed to Aggieland after opening his recruitment during the coaching search.

New head baseball coach Mike Earley has been on fire getting the band back together and landing key portal recruits in his short time in his new position. This is a testament to players’ trust in him and the rumors about his reputation as a popular coach in baseball circles, which should instill confidence in the fans.

The 2025 roster is shaping up to make another deep postseason run, and Henseler will be a major part of this team.

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New Texas A&M head baseball coach Mike Earley talks about his hitting philosophy

Watch new head A&M baseball coach Mike Earley discuss his approach to hitting that help the Aggies become one of the best offensive teams in the nation

One thing about assistant coaches is that most of the time, you do not really get to know much about them outside of them being mentioned during an interview with a head coach or the players. Outside of people who follow baseball outside of the general team press conferences, most know that Michael Earley is regarded as one of the better-hitting coaches in the nation.

However, they have no idea of his approach to hitting or why his current and former players speak so highly of him in all aspects of a coach. So, with the announcement of Earley being officially named head coach of the Texas A&M baseball team in his press conference, it was the first time most people had even heard his voice.

Despite his relative youth, Michael Earley’s insights on hitting and his coaching methods are highly sought after. His public appearances, such as the in-depth webinar below, are rare and provide valuable insights into his journey and hitting philosophy.

 

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Michael Earley proclaims he is ‘built for this’ job as Texas A&M baseball head coach

“I’m ready for this, I’m built for this. I’ve seen what it takes to get almost to the top here. Been to Omaha two of the last three years.”

Despite becoming a college baseball head coach for the first time in his career, Michael Earley is confident he’s the right man to lead Texas A&M to the promised land.

“Here’s the deal, I’m ready for this, I’m built for this. I’ve seen what it takes to get almost to the top here. We were so close. Been to Omaha two of the last three years. I’ve worked, recruited and gone against these guys in the SEC the last three years. I completely understand I’ve never been a head coach, that’s fine. I’ve assembled a staff that has my back. The one thing is that I know I love Texas A&M,” Earley said. “My knowledge and appreciation for the very motivated fan base, I think my age, experience level is an advantage. My energy will be infectious and I promise you that I will do everything I can to take this baseball program to new heights.

“I can’t thank you enough for being here and look forward to seeing you out at Blue Bell. Thanks and Gig’Em!”

Earley will be competing directly against his former boss, Jim Schlossnagle, and the Longhorns, who officially joined the SEC alongside Oklahoma on Monday.

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Ryan Prager provides an update on his pitching future with Texas A&M

Texas A&M ace pitcher Ryan Prager is still undecided on his immediate playing future

What a week it was for Texas A&M’s baseball program.

The shocking news that head coach Jim Schlossnagle was leaving his position to take over the University of Texas program one day after the Aggies’ 6-5 loss in the College World Series Finals left everyone very confused.

However, five days later Texas A&M athletic director Trev Alberts hired his successor from among the reported nine coaches under consideration. Former Aggie hitting coach Michael Earley became the program’s 21st head coach, bringing energy and excitement to an already established roster. His proven recruiting background is certainly a plus for the program’s future.

After his introduction and before the Q&A portion of Tuesday’s event, GigEm247 beat writer Carter Karels pulled aside Aggies ace pitcher Ryan Prager for a couple of questions regarding his playing future. Prager was joined by several players on the roster at the event.

Although still weighing his options, Prager said he is excited about the hire. He noted Earley has already brought in an elite coaching staff. At the same time, he and the team’s chaotic week in Omaha, combined with Schlossnagles’ departure, is certainly something he’ll never forget.

Concerning a potential return in 2025, Karels asked that very question, especially with star hitters Jace LaViolette and Gavin Grahovac announcing their returns earlier in the day:

“We’ll see what happens. A lot of conversations to happen with some people in my corner, which includes my family and some other people we rely on. We’ll see what happens over the next couple of weeks, and go from there.”

Prager finished his redshirt sophomore season on a high note: a 9-1 record, 124 strikeouts and a 2.95 ERA. For those interested, here is the full interview with Karels.

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