Texas A&M AD Trev Alberts urged former coach Jim Schlossnagle not to "hurt" the program and impact kids
Athletic Director Trev Alberts tried his best to avoid the damage caused by Jim Schlossnagle's exit. During Michael Earley's introduction as the new baseball coach of Texas A&M, the Aggies AD spoke with the Houston Chronicle and revealed a conversation he had with Schlossnagle that took place days before the Oregon Super Regional:
“We talked at length, I said, ‘Are you frustrated? Is there anything I can do?’ And at the end of the conversation I said, ‘Jim, if you’re not happy here and you want to leave, that’s OK. But please don’t hurt our program and don’t hurt our kids.’ That’s what I said.
“And he said, ‘I will never do that, Trev.’ I said, ‘OK.’”
Alberts' plea fell on deaf ears as Schlossnagle not only left the Aggies 24 hours after the loss to Tennessee in the College World Series finals but he had also promised in a press conference after Game 3 that he would remain at the school for the foreseeable future. To add insult to injury, he left for rival state school Texas.
Trev Alberts announces new investments in Aggie baseball
During the presentation of Michael Earley as the new baseball head coach, Trev Alberts made it a point to clarify that the school has baseball at the forefront of its athletic priorities. In accordance with this, he announced an $80 million upgrade to Blue Bell Park:
"We're going to have the best stadium in college baseball," Trev Alberts said. "With your help, that of our donors and regents, an $80 million upgrade to Blue Bell is going to be a game changer.
"It's going to be the best atmosphere and environment in college baseball, that's the vision. Finally, we're going to have the best fan experience because that's what changes the whole environment at Blue Bell." [H/T Aggies Wire]
In 2024, the Aggies reached the College World Series finals for the first time. It remains to be seen if the school will be able to build upon Jim Schlossnagle's successes, but there's no doubt that the desire is there.