Jim Schlossnagle clarifies timing of Texas discussions during introductory press conference

Jim Schlossnagle understands his departure from Texas A&M to take the job at Texas will be heavily scrutinized. However, the head coach is adamant his final comments from Omaha were not an attempt to mislead the Aggies.

Shortly after falling to Tennessee in Game 3 of the College World Series Finals, Schlossnagle was asked about his future at A&M after his name was linked to the vacancy with the Longhorns. He was vehement in a belief that he would not leave A&M for another job and called the question “selfish” and “unfair” in a segment that has been picked apart.

Schlossnagle was eventually introduced as Texas’ new head coach Tuesday evening, and he made his first press conference appearance with the Longhorns on Wednesday. He was asked about a change of heart from Monday night to eventually taking the Longhorns job and any message he might have for fans who felt Schlossnagle misled them.

This time around, Schlossnagle said the specific question was “very fair” based on his comments but said he did not intentionally mislead anyone because that’s how he felt at the moment. However, he described the opportunity at Texas as a unique situation and one where he has total trust in AD Chris Del Conte.

Schlossnagle also said his support of the Aggies was unwavering all the way through the season and the final pitch of the CWS Finals, regardless of what outside rumors or fans think. Here is Schlossnagle’s full response:

Here’s the question everyone from Aggieland wanted to hear, asked by @olinbuchanan from @TexAgs.

Q: What changed and what would you say to those Texas A&M people that supported you that feels like you intentionally misled them?

Jim Schlossnagle: I didn’t mislead them.… pic.twitter.com/hyHLETvRGo

— Parker Rehm (@parker_rehm) June 26, 2024

Schlossnagle also directed a public apology to Richard Zane of TexAgs, the reporter who asked the question that elicited his response Monday evening. The head coach also claimed he did not have any discussions regarding the Texas job at any point while the season was still going.

Schlossnagle claims he had no discussions with Texas about the job during the season.

— Olin Buchanan (@olinbuchanan) June 26, 2024

Del Conte echoed that claim, saying he reached out after Monday’s game ended to tell Schlossnagle he would drive down and meet the coach face-to-face on Tuesday.

CDC on the timeline of when he reached out to Jim Schlossnagle about the job opening:

“When the game ended [Monday], questions were asked, I said hey I’m going to be there tomorrow”

Coach Schloss also mentioned he didn’t speak to CDC about the job before Monday #HookEm |… pic.twitter.com/gqoOViwPcu

— Cory Mose (@Cory_Mose) June 26, 2024

Regardless of how it went down, Schlossnagle is now the new head coach of the Longhorns and will likely remain public enemy No. 1 for A&M fans for some time to come. It will be interesting to see which program makes a trip to Omaha first after everything that has transpired this week.

Main image via Texas baseball (@TexasBaseball) on X (formerly Twitter).

Paul Harvey

Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.