Column: It’s time for coach Sumlin to leave Texas A&M for better job
By Steve Barnes
Published:
I am a Kevin Sumlin fan. He grew up about 45 minutes north of me. I have seen his high school play football. For the past three weeks, I have covered his press conferences and found him more engaging than most coaches.
I like the guy.
Here is my advice for him: it’s time to get out of Dodge. Or College Station to be exact.
Being from south Alabama and playing college football at Purdue, it seems Sumlin’s dream job should be in the SEC. A young African-American who comes back to the South and is successful.
But why stay if you are not appreciated?
The Aggies lost to Alabama at home, although they pretty much gave that game away. Then they were embarrassed at Ole Miss. A&M couldn’t even get into the Rebels’ end zone.
Now this. Texas A&M should beat South Carolina like a drum. But the Aggies didn’t do that. And the Kyle Field crowd seemed to let their displeasure known.
A 35-28 win against the Gamecocks does not sit well in Aggieland. Good. Take that as a sign.
Coach, you’ve done about all you can there. You had a Heisman winner. You beat Alabama when it was hot as a pistol. What else do you want there?
There are better situations than Texas A&M and you can have your choice of them.
First, you are playing in the SEC West. Alabama and LSU will always be a tough game. Ole Miss is better. Does anyone want to play Mississippi State or Arkansas? Auburn has players, too. Why would anyone want to face that Marquis de Sade schedule?
Coach, you can go to the SEC East where it is easier to get to the title game. You can go to the Big Ten and take on Urban Meyer. You can go to Los Angeles and cash in financially and with the local recruiting talent.
You would be a perfect fit at Southern Cal.
You have contacts in Texas for recruits. Also in Louisiana and the junior colleges. Add those kids to the ones you can get in L.A., and that is a great talent base.
But more than anything, coach, you won’t have to see Les Miles or Nick Saban again unless it is in a bowl game.
Jackie Sherrill was not happy at A&M. Neither was Emory Bellard, R.C. Slocum, Gene Stallings or Bear Bryant.
Take the chance to leave College Station and make your name elsewhere.
Texas A&M will get a new coach and he will be the one to take the grief.
You can go to the Pac-12 and contend for the national title. Also, you can have a contract with more zeroes.
Most important, you can leave behind all the headaches, just like the others did.
Steve Barnes is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers SEC football.
