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{{short description|Program representing Texas A&M University in American football}}
{{Short description|Program representing Texas A&M University in American football}}
{{Redirect|Wreckin Crew||The Wrecking Crew (disambiguation){{!}}The Wrecking Crew}}
{{Redirect|Wreckin Crew||The Wrecking Crew (disambiguation){{!}}The Wrecking Crew}}
{{pp|small=yes}}
{{pp|small=yes}}
{{very long|rps=139|date=September 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2012}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2012}}
{{Infobox college football team
{{Infobox college football team
| TeamName = Texas A&M Aggies football
| TeamName = Texas A&M Aggies football
| CurrentSeason = 2023 Texas A&M Aggies football team
| CurrentSeason = 2024 Texas A&M Aggies football team
| Image = Texas A&M University logo.svg
| Image = Texas A&M University logo.svg
| ImageSize = 150
| ImageSize = 150
| FirstYear = {{start date and age|1894}}
| FirstYear = [[1894 Texas A&M Aggies football team|1894]]; {{Years or months ago|1894}}
| LastYear =
| LastYear =
| AthleticDirector = [[Ross Bjork]]
| AthleticDirector = [[Trev Alberts]]
| HeadCoach = (Vacant)
| HeadCoach = [[Mike Elko]]
| HeadCoachYear =
| HeadCoachYear = 1st
| HCWins =
| HCWins = 8
| HCLosses =
| HCLosses = 4
| HCTies =
| HCTies =
| Stadium = [[Kyle Field]]
| Stadium = [[Kyle Field]]
| StadCapacity = 102,733
| StadCapacity = 102,733
| FieldName =Kyle Field
| FieldName =
| StadiumBuilt = 1927
| StadiumBuilt = 1927
| StadSurface = [[Bermudagrass]] (1996–present)<br />[[AstroTurf]] (1970–1995)<br />[[Grass]] (1927–1969)
| StadSurface = [[Bermudagrass]] (1996–present)<br />[[AstroTurf]] (1970–1995)<br />[[Grass]] (1927–1969)
Line 27: Line 26:
| ConfDivision = West
| ConfDivision = West
| PastAffiliations = [[Big 12 Conference]]<br>(1996–2011)<br />[[Southwest Conference]]<br>(1915–1996)
| PastAffiliations = [[Big 12 Conference]]<br>(1996–2011)<br />[[Southwest Conference]]<br>(1915–1996)
| ATWins = 771<!-- As of games through 12/11/2022 -->
| ATWins = 785<!-- As of games through 9/22/2024 -->
| ATLosses = 498<!-- As of games through 12/11/2022 -->
| ATLosses = 505<!-- As of games through 9/22/2024 -->
| ATTies = 48<!-- As of games through 12/11/2022 -->
| ATTies = 48
| BowlWins = 20
| BowlWins = 20
| BowlLosses = 22
| BowlLosses = 23
| BowlTies =
| BowlTies =
| PlayoffApps =
| PlayoffApps =
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| WebsiteURL = https://12thman.com/sports/football
| WebsiteURL = https://12thman.com/sports/football
}}
}}
The '''Texas A&M Aggies football''' program represents [[Texas A&M University]] in the sport of [[American football]]. The [[Texas A&M Aggies|Aggies]] compete in the [[Football Bowl Subdivision]] (FBS) of the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] (NCAA) and the Western Division of the [[Southeastern Conference]] (SEC).<ref name=JoinSEC>{{cite news|title=SEC: Texas A&M to join in July 2012 |agency=Associated Press|date=September 5, 2011}}</ref> Texas A&M football claims three national titles and 18 conference titles. The team plays all home games at [[Kyle Field]], a 102,733-person capacity outdoor stadium on the university campus. [[Jimbo Fisher]] was the team's head coach.
The '''Texas A&M Aggies football''' program represents [[Texas A&M University]] in the sport of [[American football]]. The [[Texas A&M Aggies|Aggies]] compete in the [[Football Bowl Subdivision]] (FBS) of the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] (NCAA) and the Western Division of the [[Southeastern Conference]] (SEC).<ref name=JoinSEC>{{cite news|title=SEC: Texas A&M to join in July 2012 |agency=Associated Press|date=September 5, 2011}}</ref> Texas A&M football claims three national titles and 18 conference titles. The team plays all home games at [[Kyle Field]], a 102,733-person capacity outdoor stadium on the university campus.


==History==
==History==
{{See also|List of Texas A&M Aggies football seasons}}
{{See also|List of Texas A&M Aggies football seasons}}


===Early history (1894–1933)===
===Early history (1894–1964)===
[[File:1901 Texas A&M Aggies.png|thumb|left|1901 Aggies players]]
[[File:1901 Texas A&M Aggies.png|thumb|1901 Aggies players]]
Texas A&M first fielded a football team in 1894, under the direction of head coach [[F. Dudley Perkins]].<ref name="books.google.com">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3swj0kL9AuAC&q=f.+d.+perkins+texas+a%26m&pg=PA42|title=Texas A&m Aggies|isbn=9781617836572|last1=Rappoport|first1=Ken|date=January 2013}}</ref> The team compiled a 1–1 record.<ref name="books.google.com"/> [[W. A. Murray]] served as A&M's head coach from 1899 to 1901, compiling a record of 7–8–1.<ref name="12thman.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.12thman.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205238864|title=Texas A&M Football History|work=12thman.com|access-date=December 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104171518/http://www.12thman.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205238864|archive-date=January 4, 2015|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> From 1902 to 1904, [[J. E. Platt]] served as A&M's head coach, his teams compiling a record of 18–5–3.<ref name="12thman.com"/> From 1909 to 1914, A&M compiled a 38–8–4 record under head coach [[Charley Moran]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/charley-moran-1.html|title=Charley Moran|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> Moran's 1909 team finished undefeated, and all but one of Moran's other seasons the Aggies only lost one game each year.<ref name="12thman.com"/> Under head coach [[Edwin Harlan]], the Aggies compiled a record of 12–5 in two seasons and joined the [[Southwest Conference]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/eh-harlan-1.html|title=E.H. Harlan|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/6912807/texas-aggies-tell-big-12-seek-new-conference|title=Texas A&M Aggies tell Big 12 they'll seek new conference|work=ESPN.com|date=August 31, 2011}}</ref>
Texas A&M first fielded a football team in 1894, under the direction of head coach [[F. Dudley Perkins]].<ref name="books.google.com">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3swj0kL9AuAC&q=f.+d.+perkins+texas+a%26m&pg=PA42|title=Texas A&m Aggies|isbn=9781617836572|last1=Rappoport|first1=Ken|date=January 2013}}</ref> The team compiled a 1–1 record.<ref name="books.google.com"/> [[W. A. Murray]] served as A&M's head coach from 1899 to 1901, compiling a record of 7–8–1.<ref name="12thman.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.12thman.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205238864|title=Texas A&M Football History|work=12thman.com|access-date=December 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104171518/http://www.12thman.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205238864|archive-date=January 4, 2015|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> From 1902 to 1904, [[J. E. Platt]] served as A&M's head coach, his teams compiling a record of 18–5–3.<ref name="12thman.com"/> From 1909 to 1914, A&M compiled a 38–8–4 record under head coach [[Charley Moran]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/charley-moran-1.html|title=Charley Moran|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> Moran's 1909 team finished undefeated, and all but one of Moran's other seasons the Aggies only lost one game each year.<ref name="12thman.com"/> Under head coach [[Edwin Harlan]], the Aggies compiled a record of 12–5 in two seasons and joined the [[Southwest Conference]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/eh-harlan-1.html|title=E.H. Harlan|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Schad |first=Joe |date=2011-08-31 |title=Texas A&M tells Big 12 it seeks new conference |url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/6912807/texas-aggies-tell-big-12-seek-new-conference |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref>


[[File:Dana X. Bible (1934).jpg|thumb|150px|Coach Bible]]
[[File:Dana X. Bible (1934).jpg|thumb|upright=.8|Coach Bible]]
[[Dana X. Bible]] became Texas A&M's head coach in 1919, leaving [[LSU Tigers football|LSU]], and under his tutelage the Aggies compiled a record of 72–19–9 in ten seasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/dana-bible-1.html|title=Dana Bible|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> Bible's 1919 Texas A&M Aggies football team, which was undefeated, untied, and outscored its opposition 275–0, was retroactively named a national champion by the Billingsley Report and the National Championship Foundation. In the 1922 Dixie Classic, Bible made his most visible and lasting impression in his A&M career when he began the Twelfth Man Tradition. Bible had a roster of only eighteen players, who had to play both offense and defense against the heavily favored Centre College. He lost three players to injuries early in the game, but the Aggies took the lead. Fearing more injuries and a possibility of having to forfeit the game for lack of men, Bible called upon a reserve halfback, E. King Gill, who was in the press box running stats for the team, to suit up and be ready if needed. The Aggies wouldn't need Gill's help to win, but since then A&M students stand throughout football games to show their willingness to play if needed.<ref name="tshaonline.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fbi38|title=BIBLE, DANA XENOPHON|work=tshaonline.org|date=June 12, 2010}}</ref> Bible departed the Aggies after the 1928 season to accept the [[Nebraska Cornhuskers football|Nebraska]] head coaching position.<ref name="tshaonline.org"/> After Bible's departure, A&M brought in [[Matty Bell]] from [[TCU Horned Frogs football|TCU]] to lead the Aggies football program.<ref name="tshaonline.org1">{{cite web|url=http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fbebf|title=BELL, WILLIAM MADISON [MATTY]|work=tshaonline.org|date=June 12, 2010}}</ref> Under Bell's tutelage, the Aggies compiled a record of 24–21–3.<ref name="tshaonline.org1"/> However, the Aggies did not play up to the standards set by Dana Bible's tenure, and Bell left for [[SMU Mustangs football|SMU]] after five seasons.<ref name="tshaonline.org1"/>
[[Dana X. Bible]] became Texas A&M's head coach in 1919, leaving [[LSU Tigers football|LSU]], and under his tutelage the Aggies compiled a record of 72–19–9 in ten seasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/dana-bible-1.html|title=Dana Bible|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> Bible's 1919 Texas A&M Aggies football team, which was undefeated, untied, and outscored its opposition 275–0, was retroactively named a national champion by the Billingsley Report and the National Championship Foundation. In the 1922 Dixie Classic, Bible made his most visible and lasting impression in his A&M career when he began the Twelfth Man Tradition. Bible had a roster of only eighteen players, who had to play both offense and defense against the heavily favored Centre College. He lost three players to injuries early in the game, but the Aggies took the lead. Fearing more injuries and a possibility of having to forfeit the game for lack of men, Bible called upon a reserve halfback, E. King Gill, who was in the press box running stats for the team, to suit up and be ready if needed. The Aggies wouldn't need Gill's help to win, but since then A&M students stand throughout football games to show their willingness to play if needed.<ref name="tshaonline.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fbi38|title=BIBLE, DANA XENOPHON|work=tshaonline.org|date=June 12, 2010}}</ref> Bible departed the Aggies after the 1928 season to accept the [[Nebraska Cornhuskers football|Nebraska]] head coaching position.<ref name="tshaonline.org"/> After Bible's departure, A&M brought in [[Matty Bell]] from [[TCU Horned Frogs football|TCU]] to lead the Aggies football program.<ref name="tshaonline.org1">{{cite web|url=http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fbebf|title=BELL, WILLIAM MADISON [MATTY]|work=tshaonline.org|date=June 12, 2010}}</ref> Under Bell's tutelage, the Aggies compiled a record of 24–21–3.<ref name="tshaonline.org1"/> However, the Aggies did not play up to the standards set by Dana Bible's tenure, and Bell left for [[SMU Mustangs football|SMU]] after five seasons.<ref name="tshaonline.org1"/> [[Homer H. Norton|Homer Norton]] was hired away from [[Centenary Gentlemen football|Centenary]] to replace Bell in 1934.<ref name="CFHOF">{{cite web|url={{College Football HoF/url|id=1464}}|title=Homer Norton|publisher=National Football Foundation|work=footballfoundation.org}}</ref> A&M enjoyed great successes under Norton. The 1939 Texas A&M team went 11–0, beating [[Tulane Green Wave football|Tulane]] in the [[Sugar Bowl]], and was named a national champion.<ref name="sports-reference.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/homer-norton-1.html|title=Homer Norton|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> Norton's record at Texas A&M was 82–53–9, giving him the second most wins of any coach in Texas A&M Aggies football history.<ref name="sports-reference.com"/> Among the many stars that Norton developed were [[John Kimbrough]] and [[Joe Routt]].<ref name="CFHOF" /> Norton was fired in 1947 when his team went 3–6–1 and lost to archrival University of Texas for the eighth straight year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.barkingcarnival.com/2008/10/06/the-more-things-change|title=The More Things Change...|author=TaylorTRoom|work=Barking Carnival|date=October 6, 2008}}</ref>


In December 1947, [[Harry Stiteler]] was promoted from running backs coach to head coach for the Texas A&M football team following the firing of Homer Norton.<ref name=Paris>{{cite news|title=Harry Stiteler Named New Aggie Mentor|newspaper=The Paris News|date=1947-12-23}}</ref> In Stiteler's first season as head coach, the Aggies failed to win a game, accumulating a record of 0–9–1.<ref>{{cite web|title=Texas A&M 1948 season |publisher=College Football Data Warehouse |url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_game_by_game.php?coachid=2246&year=1948 |access-date=2010-05-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019010549/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_game_by_game.php?coachid=2246&year=1948 |archive-date=October 19, 2012 }}</ref> For the 1949 season, the Aggies won only one game and had a record of 1–8–1.<ref>{{cite web|title=Texas A&M 1949 season |publisher=College Football Data Warehouse |url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_game_by_game.php?coachid=2246&year=1949 |access-date=2010-05-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019010625/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_game_by_game.php?coachid=2246&year=1949 |archive-date=October 19, 2012 }}</ref> Despite the poor record in his first two seasons, Stiteler developed a reputation as a good recruiter. In 1950, Stiteler turned the program around with a 7–4 record, including impressive wins over [[Arkansas Razorbacks football|Arkansas]] (42–13) and [[SMU Mustangs football|SMU]] (25–20) and a 40–20 win over [[Georgia Bulldogs football|Georgia]] in the [[Presidential Cup Bowl]] at [[Baltimore, Maryland|Baltimore]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Texas A&M 1950 season |publisher=College Football Data Warehouse |url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_game_by_game.php?coachid=2246&year=1950 |access-date=2010-05-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019010632/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_game_by_game.php?coachid=2246&year=1950 |archive-date=October 19, 2012 }}</ref> The 1950 team had the best record of any Texas A&M football team in the first decade after [[World War II]] (1945–1954).<ref>{{cite web|title=Texas A&M Aggies |publisher=databasefootball.com |url=http://www.databasefootball.com/College/teams/teampage.htm?TeamID=99 |access-date=2010-05-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412200940/http://www.databasefootball.com/College/teams/teampage.htm?TeamID=99 |archive-date=April 12, 2010 }}</ref> In December 1950, Stiteler reported that he had been attacked and beaten by a stranger near the Shamrock Hotel in [[Houston, Texas|Houston]], where Stiteler had been scheduled to address a group of Texas A&M alumni.<ref name=Assailant/> Stiteler tried to downplay the incident, but the press reported Stiteler declined to provide details to the police and that there were conflicting versions as to what had happened. The ''San Antonio Light'' reported the incident under a banner headline, "MYSTERY SHROUDS STITELER BEATING."<ref>{{cite news|title=MYSTERY SHROUDS STITELER BEATING: Police Open Probe, Then Drop It|newspaper=San Antonio Light|date=1950-12-17}}</ref> In March 1951, Stiteler admitted that he had misrepresented the facts concerning the assault. He reported that he had known his attacker and "the affair was a personal one."<ref name=Assailant>{{cite news|title=Wholesale Resignations: Gray, Stiteler; Aggie Mentor Admits Knowing His Assailant|newspaper=San Antonio Express|date=1951-03-20}}</ref> Embarrassed, Stiteler submitted his letter of resignation to the President of Texas A&M upon revealing the true facts concerning "my affair in Houston."<ref name=Assailant/> Following the resignation, the members of the football team issued a statement in support of their former coach:<blockquote>"We believe that whatever happened to Mr. Stiteler was a personal matter and it should have remained that. A lot of us boys came to A. and M. in 1948 not because A. and M. had won games but simply because of Harry Stiteler and his character. He has never ceased to set us that same example in the years we have played and worked for him."<ref>{{cite news|title=Footballers Give Stiteler Sendoff|newspaper=San Antonio Light|date=1951-03-21}}</ref></blockquote> In three years as the head coach at Texas A&M, Stiteler compiled a record of 8–21–2.<ref name=CFD>{{cite web|title=Robert Harry Stiteler Records by Year |publisher=College Football Data Warehouse |url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_year_by_year.php?coachid=2246 |access-date=2010-05-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100214220059/http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_year_by_year.php?coachid=2246 |archive-date=February 14, 2010 }}</ref> [[Raymond George]], previously [[USC Trojans football|USC]]'s defensive line coach, was hired as the 17th head coach of the Texas A&M Aggies after the Stiteler scandal.<ref name="google.com">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ejsMGVVySaEC&q=texas+a%26m+raymond+george&pg=PA105|title=Texas A&M University|isbn=9780890967041|last1=Dethloff|first1=Henry C.|year=1996|publisher=Texas A&M University Press }}</ref> He served as head coach for three seasons, from 1951 to 1953, during which time the Aggies produced a total record of 12–14–4.<ref>[http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_year_by_year.php?coachid=855 College Football Data Warehouse] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015152833/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_year_by_year.php?coachid=855 |date=October 15, 2012 }} Raymond George records by year</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/ray-george-1.html|title=Ray George|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> Among A&M's notable wins during this time period were victories over [[Bud Wilkinson]]'s [[Oklahoma Sooners football|Oklahoma Sooners]], [[Henry Russell Sanders]]' [[UCLA Bruins football|UCLA Bruins]] and [[Bear Bryant]]'s [[Kentucky Wildcats football|Kentucky Wildcats]]. George resigned as the Aggies head coach following the 1953 season.<ref name="google.com"/> In 1994 as a result of the NCAA findings of major violations of NCAA rules in this case, Texas A&M became one of three universities to receive as many as seven public penalties since 1952. Between 1956 and 1977, the university was placed on probation three times and publicly reprimanded once for major violations of NCAA rules. This era began a series of NCAA rules violations that continued to 2020.<ref>[https://web3.ncaa.org/lsdbi/search/miCaseView/report?id=101827 Infractions report] ncaa.org</ref>
===Homer Norton era (1934–1947)===
[[Homer H. Norton|Homer Norton]] was hired away from [[Centenary Gentlemen football|Centenary]] to replace Bell in 1934.<ref name="CFHOF">{{cite web|url={{College Football HoF/url|id=1464}}|title=Homer Norton|publisher=National Football Foundation|work=footballfoundation.org}}</ref> A&M enjoyed great successes under Norton. The 1939 Texas A&M team went 11–0, beating [[Tulane Green Wave football|Tulane]] in the [[Sugar Bowl]], and was named a national champion.<ref name="sports-reference.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/homer-norton-1.html|title=Homer Norton|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> Norton's record at Texas A&M was 82–53–9, giving him the second most wins of any coach in Texas A&M Aggies football history.<ref name="sports-reference.com"/> Among the many stars that Norton developed were [[John Kimbrough]] and [[Joe Routt]].<ref name="CFHOF" /> Norton was fired in 1947 when his team went 3–6–1 and lost to archrival University of Texas for the eighth straight year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.barkingcarnival.com/2008/10/06/the-more-things-change|title=The More Things Change...|author=TaylorTRoom|work=Barking Carnival|date=October 6, 2008}}</ref>


Legendary coach [[Bear Bryant]] arrived in College Station after successful head coaching tenures at [[Maryland Terrapins football|Maryland]] and [[Kentucky Wildcats football|Kentucky]], signing a contract worth $15,000 per year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2014-04-09/bear-bryant-contract-texas-am-15000-dollars-alabama-crimson-tide|title=Texas A&M hired Bear Bryant for $15,000|work=Sporting News|access-date=December 2, 2014|archive-date=September 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150913205233/http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2014-04-09/bear-bryant-contract-texas-am-15000-dollars-alabama-crimson-tide|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Aggies suffered through a grueling 1–9 record in Bryant's first season, which began with the infamous training camp in [[Junction, Texas]], during which time many Aggie football players quit the team.<ref name="ESPN">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/classic/s/dent_junction_08/02/01.html|title=ESPN Classic – Ten days in hell with the Bear|work=go.com}}</ref> The "survivors" were given the name "[[Junction Boys]]."<ref name="ESPN"/> Two years later, Bryant led the team to the Southwest Conference championship, despite being on probation,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://myaggienation.com/athletics_history/football/year_by_year/year_by_year_2/1956/article_7c4d2e58-f544-11e2-a882-0019bb2963f4.html|title=1956|date=July 25, 2013|website=My Aggie Nation|accessdate=December 7, 2023}}</ref> with a 34–21 victory over Texas in Austin.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/1956-schedule.html|title=1956 Texas A&M Aggies|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> The following year, star running back [[John David Crow]] won the [[Heisman Trophy]] and the [[1957 Texas A&M Aggies football team|Aggies]] were in title contention until they lost to [[Rice Owls football|Rice Owls]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/1957-schedule.html|title=1957 Texas A&M Aggies|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/features/heisman?year=1957&set=3|title=ESPN – NCAA College Football – Heisman 75|work=go.com}}</ref> Bryant attempted to integrate the all-white Texas A&M squad. "We'll be the last football team in the Southwest Conference to integrate," he was told by a Texas A&M official. "Well," Bryant replied, "then that's where we're going to finish in football."<ref name="American Legacy article">{{cite journal|last=Barra |first=Allen |date=Winter 2006 |title=Bear Bryant's Biggest Score |journal=[[American Legacy]]|url=http://www.libarts.uco.edu/history/faculty/roberson/course/1493/readings/BEAR%20BRYANT.htm|pages=58–64|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100519041331/http://www.libarts.uco.edu/history/faculty/roberson/course/1493/readings/BEAR%20BRYANT.htm|archive-date=May 19, 2010| url-status=dead}}</ref> After the 1957 season, having compiled an overall 25–14–2 record at A&M, Bryant left for [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|Alabama]], his alma mater, where he would cement his legacy as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, college football coach of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/Bryant_Bear.html|title=ESPN Classic – Bear Bryant 'simply the best there ever was'|work=go.com}}</ref>
===Harry Stiteler era (1948–1950)===
In December 1947, [[Harry Stiteler]] was promoted from running backs coach to head coach for the Texas A&M football team following the firing of Homer Norton.<ref name=Paris>{{cite news|title=Harry Stiteler Named New Aggie Mentor|newspaper=The Paris News|date=1947-12-23}}</ref> In Stiteler's first season as head coach, the Aggies failed to win a game, accumulating a record of 0–9–1.<ref>{{cite web|title=Texas A&M 1948 season |publisher=College Football Data Warehouse |url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_game_by_game.php?coachid=2246&year=1948 |access-date=2010-05-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019010549/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_game_by_game.php?coachid=2246&year=1948 |archive-date=October 19, 2012 }}</ref> For the 1949 season, the Aggies won only one game and had a record of 1–8–1.<ref>{{cite web|title=Texas A&M 1949 season |publisher=College Football Data Warehouse |url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_game_by_game.php?coachid=2246&year=1949 |access-date=2010-05-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019010625/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_game_by_game.php?coachid=2246&year=1949 |archive-date=October 19, 2012 }}</ref> Despite the poor record in his first two seasons, Stiteler developed a reputation as a good recruiter. In 1950, Stiteler turned the program around with a 7–4 record, including impressive wins over [[Arkansas Razorbacks football|Arkansas]] (42–13) and [[SMU Mustangs football|SMU]] (25–20) and a 40–20 win over [[Georgia Bulldogs football|Georgia]] in the [[Presidential Cup Bowl]] at [[Baltimore, Maryland|Baltimore]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Texas A&M 1950 season |publisher=College Football Data Warehouse |url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_game_by_game.php?coachid=2246&year=1950 |access-date=2010-05-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019010632/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_game_by_game.php?coachid=2246&year=1950 |archive-date=October 19, 2012 }}</ref> The 1950 team had the best record of any Texas A&M football team in the first decade after [[World War II]] (1945–1954).<ref>{{cite web|title=Texas A&M Aggies |publisher=databasefootball.com |url=http://www.databasefootball.com/College/teams/teampage.htm?TeamID=99 |access-date=2010-05-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412200940/http://www.databasefootball.com/College/teams/teampage.htm?TeamID=99 |archive-date=April 12, 2010 }}</ref>


A&M next turned to [[Iowa State Cyclones football|Iowa State]] head coach [[Jim Myers]] for its head coaching position.<ref name="profootballtalk.nbcsports.com">{{cite web|url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/19/longtime-cowboys-assistant-jim-myers-dies-at-92/|title=Longtime Cowboys assistant Jim Myers dies at 92 – ProFootballTalk|work=nbcsports.com|date=July 19, 2014}}</ref> Under Myers, the Aggies struggled mightily, compiling a 12–24–4 record.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/jim-myers-1.html|title=Jim Myers|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> The Aggies failed to win more than four games in a single season. The fallout that ensued from fans, boosters and the administration led Myers to join [[Tom Landry]]'s [[Dallas Cowboys]] staff as an assistant coach.<ref name="profootballtalk.nbcsports.com"/> [[Hank Foldberg]] was hired as the Aggies head coach after Myers' departure, and brought with him high hopes that Aggie success would return.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Tf2x-x7BU2QC&q=hank+foldberg+texas+a%26m&pg=PA36|title=Maroon Paint|isbn=9781452080710|last1=Balch|first1=Bob|last2=Perry|first2=Charles|date=October 18, 2010|publisher=AuthorHouse }}</ref> However, the struggles remained, in the form of a 6–23–1 record in three seasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/hank-foldberg-1.html|title=Hank Foldberg|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> Foldberg was replaced after the 1964 season.
In December 1950, Stiteler reported that he had been attacked and beaten by a stranger near the Shamrock Hotel in [[Houston, Texas|Houston]], where Stiteler had been scheduled to address a group of Texas A&M alumni.<ref name=Assailant/> Stiteler tried to downplay the incident, but the press reported Stiteler declined to provide details to the police and that there were conflicting versions as to what had happened. The ''San Antonio Light'' reported the incident under a banner headline, "MYSTERY SHROUDS STITELER BEATING."<ref>{{cite news|title=MYSTERY SHROUDS STITELER BEATING: Police Open Probe, Then Drop It|newspaper=San Antonio Light|date=1950-12-17}}</ref> In March 1951, Stiteler admitted that he had misrepresented the facts concerning the assault. He reported that he had known his attacker and "the affair was a personal one."<ref name=Assailant>{{cite news|title=Wholesale Resignations: Gray, Stiteler; Aggie Mentor Admits Knowing His Assailant|newspaper=San Antonio Express|date=1951-03-20}}</ref> Embarrassed, Stiteler submitted his letter of resignation to the President of Texas A&M upon revealing the true facts concerning "my affair in Houston."<ref name=Assailant/> Following the resignation, the members of the football team issued a statement in support of their former coach:<blockquote>"We believe that whatever happened to Mr. Stiteler was a personal matter and it should have remained that. A lot of us boys came to A. and M. in 1948 not because A. and M. had won games but simply because of Harry Stiteler and his character. He has never ceased to set us that same example in the years we have played and worked for him."<ref>{{cite news|title=Footballers Give Stiteler Sendoff|newspaper=San Antonio Light|date=1951-03-21}}</ref></blockquote> In three years as the head coach at Texas A&M, Stiteler compiled a record of 8–21–2.<ref name=CFD>{{cite web|title=Robert Harry Stiteler Records by Year |publisher=College Football Data Warehouse |url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_year_by_year.php?coachid=2246 |access-date=2010-05-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100214220059/http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_year_by_year.php?coachid=2246 |archive-date=February 14, 2010 }}</ref>

===Raymond George era (1951–1953)===
[[Raymond George]], previously [[USC Trojans football|USC]]'s defensive line coach, was hired as the 17th head coach of the Texas A&M Aggies after the Stiteler scandal.<ref name="google.com">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ejsMGVVySaEC&q=texas+a%26m+raymond+george&pg=PA105|title=Texas A&M University|isbn=9780890967041|last1=Dethloff|first1=Henry C.|year=1996}}</ref> He served as head coach for three seasons, from 1951 to 1953, during which time the Aggies produced a total record of 12–14–4.<ref>[http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_year_by_year.php?coachid=855 College Football Data Warehouse] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015152833/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_year_by_year.php?coachid=855 |date=October 15, 2012 }} Raymond George records by year</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/ray-george-1.html|title=Ray George|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> Among A&M's notable wins during this time period were victories over [[Bud Wilkinson]]'s [[Oklahoma Sooners football|Oklahoma Sooners]], [[Henry Russell Sanders]]' [[UCLA Bruins football|UCLA Bruins]] and [[Bear Bryant]]'s [[Kentucky Wildcats football|Kentucky Wildcats]]. George resigned as the Aggies head coach following the 1953 season.<ref name="google.com"/>

In 1994 as a result of the NCAA findings of major violations of NCAA rules in this case, Texas A&M became one of three universities to receive as many as seven public penalties since 1952. Between 1956 and 1977, the university was placed on probation three times and publicly reprimanded once for major violations of NCAA rules. This era began a series of NCAA rules violations that continued to 2020.<ref>https://web3.ncaa.org/lsdbi/search/miCaseView/report?id=101827 {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref>

===Bear Bryant era (1954–1957)===
Legendary coach [[Bear Bryant]] arrived in College Station after successful head coaching tenures at [[Maryland Terrapins football|Maryland]] and [[Kentucky Wildcats football|Kentucky]], signing a contract worth $15,000 per year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2014-04-09/bear-bryant-contract-texas-am-15000-dollars-alabama-crimson-tide|title=Texas A&M hired Bear Bryant for $15,000|work=Sporting News|access-date=December 2, 2014|archive-date=September 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150913205233/http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2014-04-09/bear-bryant-contract-texas-am-15000-dollars-alabama-crimson-tide|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Aggies suffered through a grueling 1–9 record in Bryant's first season, which began with the infamous training camp in [[Junction, Texas]], during which time many Aggie football players quit the team.<ref name="espn.go.com">{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/classic/s/dent_junction_08/02/01.html|title=ESPN Classic – Ten days in hell with the Bear|work=go.com}}</ref> The "survivors" were given the name "[[Junction Boys]]."<ref name="espn.go.com"/> Two years later, Bryant led the team to the Southwest Conference championship, despite being on probation,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://myaggienation.com/athletics_history/football/year_by_year/year_by_year_2/1956/article_7c4d2e58-f544-11e2-a882-0019bb2963f4.html|title=1956}}</ref> with a 34–21 victory over Texas in Austin.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/1956-schedule.html|title=1956 Texas A&M Aggies|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> The following year, star running back [[John David Crow]] won the [[Heisman Trophy]] and the [[1957 Texas A&M Aggies football team|Aggies]] were in title contention until they lost to [[Rice Owls football|Rice Owls]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/1957-schedule.html|title=1957 Texas A&M Aggies|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/ncf/features/heisman/_/year/1957/set/3|title=ESPN – NCAA College Football – Heisman 75|work=go.com}}</ref>

Bryant attempted to integrate the all-white Texas A&M squad. "We'll be the last football team in the Southwest Conference to integrate," he was told by a Texas A&M official. "Well," Bryant replied, "then that's where we're going to finish in football."<ref name="American Legacy article">{{cite journal|last=Barra |first=Allen |date=Winter 2006 |title=Bear Bryant's Biggest Score |journal=[[American Legacy]]|url=http://www.libarts.uco.edu/history/faculty/roberson/course/1493/readings/BEAR%20BRYANT.htm|pages=58–64|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100519041331/http://www.libarts.uco.edu/history/faculty/roberson/course/1493/readings/BEAR%20BRYANT.htm|archive-date=May 19, 2010| url-status=dead}}</ref> After the 1957 season, having compiled an overall 25–14–2 record at A&M, Bryant left for [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|Alabama]], his alma mater, where he would cement his legacy as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, college football coach of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/classic/biography/s/Bryant_Bear.html|title=ESPN Classic – Bear Bryant 'simply the best there ever was'|work=go.com}}</ref>

===Jim Myers era (1958–1961)===
A&M next turned to [[Iowa State Cyclones football|Iowa State]] head coach [[Jim Myers]] for its head coaching position.<ref name="profootballtalk.nbcsports.com">{{cite web|url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/19/longtime-cowboys-assistant-jim-myers-dies-at-92/|title=Longtime Cowboys assistant Jim Myers dies at 92 – ProFootballTalk|work=nbcsports.com|date=July 19, 2014}}</ref> Under Myers, the Aggies struggled mightily, compiling a 12–24–4 record.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/jim-myers-1.html|title=Jim Myers|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> The Aggies failed to win more than four games in a single season. The fallout that ensued from fans, boosters and the administration led Myers to join [[Tom Landry]]'s [[Dallas Cowboys]] staff as an assistant coach.<ref name="profootballtalk.nbcsports.com"/>

===Hank Foldberg era (1962–1964)===
[[Hank Foldberg]] was hired as the Aggies head coach after Myers' departure, and brought with him high hopes that Aggie success would return.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Tf2x-x7BU2QC&q=hank+foldberg+texas+a%26m&pg=PA36|title=Maroon Paint|isbn=9781452080710|last1=Balch|first1=Bob|last2=Perry|first2=Charles|date=October 18, 2010}}</ref> However, the struggles remained, in the form of a 6–23–1 record in three seasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/hank-foldberg-1.html|title=Hank Foldberg|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> Foldberg was replaced after the 1964 season.


===Gene Stallings era (1965–1971)===
===Gene Stallings era (1965–1971)===
[[File:Gene Stallings 2009.jpg|thumb|150px|Coach Stallings]]
[[File:Gene Stallings 2009.jpg|thumb|upright=.8|Coach Stallings]]
Fresh off helping Bear Bryant and [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|Alabama]] win the 1964 national title as an assistant coach, [[Gene Stallings]], one of the "Junction Boys", was named the head coach of his alma mater at the age of 29.<ref name="tamutimes.tamu.edu">{{cite web|url=http://tamutimes.tamu.edu/tag/gene-stallings/ |title=Currently browsing articles tagged as Gene Stallings &#124; TAMUtimes |access-date=2014-12-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141212192651/http://tamutimes.tamu.edu/tag/gene-stallings/ |archive-date=December 12, 2014 }}</ref> The Aggies struggles persisted under Stallings. Texas A&M compiled a record of 27–45–1 in Stallings' seven seasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/gene-stallings-1.html|title=Gene Stallings|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=March 30, 2018|archive-date=March 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311075739/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/gene-stallings-1.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, the Aggies won the [[Southwest Conference]] in 1967, Stallings' only winning season at A&M.<ref name="sports-reference.com1">{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/1967-schedule.html|title=1967 Texas A&M Aggies|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> At the end of that season, A&M beat Alabama in the Cotton Bowl.<ref name="sports-reference.com1"/> During Stallings' tenure, the Aggies won the [[Southwest Conference]] in 1967, Stallings' only winning season at A&M. At the end of that season Stallings led Texas A&M to a victory over Alabama and mentor [[Bear Bryant]] in the Cotton Bowl, a victory where Coach Bryant carried Coach Stallings off the field.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://subscribe.tuscaloosanews.com/restricted|title=The Tuscaloosa News Subscription Offers, Specials, and Discounts|website=subscribe.tuscaloosanews.com|accessdate=December 7, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.si.com/college/alabama/football/alabama-football-throwback-thursday-1968-cotton-bowl-bear-bryant-gene-stallings|title=Throwback Thursday: 1968 Cotton Bowl, Alabama vs. Texas A&M|first=Jimmy|last=Bank|date=October 1, 2020|website=Sports Illustrated Alabama Crimson Tide News, Analysis and More|accessdate=December 7, 2023}}</ref> With the university only recently going co-ed, its military focus and the ongoing [[Vietnam War|war in Vietnam]], A&M struggled to recruit against its [[Southwest Conference]] rivals. He was fired at A&M following the 1971 season,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/bryan-college-station-eagle-stallings-ou/15529874/|title=Stallings Out|newspaper=Bryan-College Station Eagle |date=November 26, 1971|pages=1|accessdate=December 7, 2023|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> but, like his mentor Bryant, would go on to become Alabama's head coach in the 1990s and solidify a Hall of Fame career there, winning a national championship in 1992.<ref name="tamutimes.tamu.edu"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/page/alabama_1992_national_championship.html|title=Page Archives November alabama_1992_national_championship.html|website=www.al.com|accessdate=December 7, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.si.com/college/alabama/football/underdog-2-bama-faced-1-miami|title=Throwback Thursday: Alabama's 1992 National Championship|first=Jimmy|last=Bank|date=June 4, 2020|website=Sports Illustrated Alabama Crimson Tide News, Analysis and More|accessdate=December 7, 2023}}</ref>
Fresh off helping Bear Bryant and [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|Alabama]] win the 1964 national title as an assistant coach, [[Gene Stallings]], one of the "Junction Boys", was named the head coach of his alma mater at the age of 29.<ref name="tamutimes.tamu.edu">{{cite web|url=http://tamutimes.tamu.edu/tag/gene-stallings/ |title=Currently browsing articles tagged as Gene Stallings &#124; TAMUtimes |access-date=2014-12-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141212192651/http://tamutimes.tamu.edu/tag/gene-stallings/ |archive-date=December 12, 2014 }}</ref>

The Aggies struggles persisted under Stallings. Texas A&M compiled a record of 27–45–1 in Stallings' seven seasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/gene-stallings-1.html|title=Gene Stallings|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=March 30, 2018|archive-date=March 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311075739/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/gene-stallings-1.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, the Aggies won the [[Southwest Conference]] in 1967, Stallings' only winning season at A&M.<ref name="sports-reference.com1">{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/1967-schedule.html|title=1967 Texas A&M Aggies|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> At the end of that season, A&M beat Alabama in the Cotton Bowl.<ref name="sports-reference.com1"/> He was fired at A&M following the 1971 season, but, like his mentor Bryant, would go on to become Alabama's head coach in the 1990s and solidify a Hall of Fame career there.<ref name="tamutimes.tamu.edu"/>


===Emory Bellard era (1972–1978)===
===Emory Bellard era (1972–1978)===
Texas offensive coordinator [[Emory Bellard]] became the Aggies' head coach in 1972 and brought with him the wishbone offense.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/11/sports/ncaafootball/11bellard.html|title=Emory Bellard, Creator of Wishbone Offense, Dies at 83|first=Bruce|last=Weber|date=February 10, 2011|newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> In his seven years at Texas A&M, he finished with a record of 48–27 and three top-15 finishes.<ref name="sports-reference.com2">{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/emory-bellard-1.html|title=Emory Bellard|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref>
Texas offensive coordinator [[Emory Bellard]] became the Aggies' head coach in 1972 and brought with him the wishbone offense.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/11/sports/ncaafootball/11bellard.html|title=Emory Bellard, Creator of Wishbone Offense, Dies at 83|first=Bruce|last=Weber|date=February 10, 2011|newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> In his seven years at Texas A&M, he finished with a record of 48–27 and three top-15 finishes.<ref name="sports-reference.com2">{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/emory-bellard-1.html|title=Emory Bellard|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> Acting as his own offensive coordinator, Bellard hired former high school football coaches to assist him as backfield coaches.<ref name="sports-reference.com2"/> Bellard's first two seasons at Texas A&M were difficult, as his Aggies finished 3–8 and 5–6, respectively.<ref name="sports-reference.com2"/> In 1974, with a pair of his own recruiting classes suited to run the wishbone formation, the Aggies went 8–3,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/1974-schedule.html|title=1974 Texas A&M Aggies|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> then followed it up with two 10–2 seasons,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/1975-schedule.html|title=1975 Texas A&M Aggies|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/1976-schedule.html|title=1976 Texas A&M Aggies|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> including a pair of wins over Texas and three consecutive bowl game appearances. After starting the 1978 season 4–0, Bellard resigned mid-season after two consecutive losses: 33–0 to [[Houston Cougars football|Houston]] and 24–6 to [[Baylor Bears football|Baylor]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-emory-bellard-20110211-story.html|title=Emory Bellard: Emory Bellard, college coach who created wishbone offense, dies at 83 – LA Times|author=Los Angeles Times|date=February 11, 2011|work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>

Acting as his own offensive coordinator, Bellard hired former high school football coaches to assist him as backfield coaches.<ref name="sports-reference.com2"/> Bellard's first two seasons at Texas A&M were difficult, as his Aggies finished 3–8 and 5–6, respectively.<ref name="sports-reference.com2"/> In 1974, with a pair of his own recruiting classes suited to run the wishbone formation, the Aggies went 8–3,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/1974-schedule.html|title=1974 Texas A&M Aggies|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> then followed it up with two 10–2 seasons,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/1975-schedule.html|title=1975 Texas A&M Aggies|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/1976-schedule.html|title=1976 Texas A&M Aggies|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> including a pair of wins over Texas and three consecutive bowl game appearances. After starting the 1978 season 4–0, Bellard resigned mid-season after two consecutive losses: 33–0 to [[Houston Cougars football|Houston]] and 24–6 to [[Baylor Bears football|Baylor]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-emory-bellard-20110211-story.html|title=Emory Bellard: Emory Bellard, college coach who created wishbone offense, dies at 83 – LA Times|author=Los Angeles Times|date=February 11, 2011|work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>


===Tom Wilson era (1978–1981)===
===Tom Wilson era (1978–1981)===
{{expand section|date=December 2023}}
[[Tom Wilson (American football)|Tom Wilson]] was promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach of the Aggies following Bellard's resignation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.12thmanfoundation.com/membership/12th-man-magazine-articles/year-won.aspx |title=Year Won |work=12thmanfoundation.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216150035/https://www.12thmanfoundation.com/membership/12th-man-magazine-articles/year-won.aspx |archive-date=December 16, 2014 }}</ref> The Aggies enjoyed moderate success under Wilson's tutelage, compiling a record of 21–19 and an [[Independence Bowl]] victory in 1981.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/tom-wilson-1.html|title=Tom Wilson|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> However, the mediocrity did not sit well with the administration, and Wilson was fired after the 1981 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ii4EAAAAMBAJ&q=tom+wilson+fired+texas+a%26m&pg=PA160|title=Texas Monthly|work=google.com|last1=Communications|first1=Emmis|date=March 1982}}</ref>
[[Tom Wilson (American football)|Tom Wilson]] was promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach of the Aggies following Bellard's resignation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.12thmanfoundation.com/membership/12th-man-magazine-articles/year-won.aspx |title=Year Won |work=12thmanfoundation.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216150035/https://www.12thmanfoundation.com/membership/12th-man-magazine-articles/year-won.aspx |archive-date=December 16, 2014 }}</ref> The Aggies enjoyed moderate success under Wilson's tutelage, compiling a record of 21–19 and an [[Independence Bowl]] victory in 1981.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/tom-wilson-1.html|title=Tom Wilson|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> However, the mediocrity did not sit well with the administration, and Wilson was fired after the 1981 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ii4EAAAAMBAJ&q=tom+wilson+fired+texas+a%26m&pg=PA160|title=Texas Monthly|work=google.com|last1=Communications|first1=Emmis|date=March 1982}}</ref>


===Jackie Sherrill era (1982–1988)===
===Jackie Sherrill era (1982–1988)===
On January 19, 1982, [[Jackie Sherrill]] was hired away from [[Pitt Panthers football|Pittsburgh]] by A&M as the replacement for Tom Wilson, signing a record six-year contract over $1.7 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F60B12F73A5C0C738EDDA80894DA484D81|title=TEXAS A&M SIGNS SHERRILL TO RICHEST COLLEGE PACT|first=Gordon S. Jr.|last=White|date=January 20, 1982|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref> Sherrill was the head coach of the Texas A&M Aggies for seven seasons, from 1982 to 1988.<ref name="sports-reference.com3">{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/jackie-sherrill-1.html|title=Jackie Sherrill|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> While head coach at A&M, Sherrill started the tradition of the "[[12th Man (football)|12th Man Kickoff Team]]",<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.secsports.com/article/30306106/no-experience-required|title=SEC Storied: No Experience Required|website=www.secsports.com|accessdate=December 7, 2023}}</ref> this tradition is still observed by A&M today only in a significantly scaled back form, including a single walk-on rather than an entire return team unit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aggietraditions.tamu.edu/team/12thman.html |title=Aggie Traditions – Twelfth Man |work=tamu.edu |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140212160011/http://aggietraditions.tamu.edu/team/12thman.html |archive-date=February 12, 2014 |df=mdy }}</ref> In Sherrill's seven seasons, A&M compiled a 52–28–1 record.<ref name="sports-reference.com3"/> A&M also won three consecutive [[Southwest Conference]] championships during Sherrill's tenure, in 1985, 1986 and 1987.<ref name="sports-reference.com3"/> As a result, the Aggies played in the [[Cotton Bowl Classic]] at the end of each season, defeating [[Auburn Tigers football|Auburn]] 36–16 on January 1, 1986<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/1985-schedule.html|title=1985 Texas A&M Aggies|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> and [[Notre Dame Fighting Irish football|Notre Dame]] 35–10 on January 1, 1988,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/1987-schedule.html|title=1987 Texas A&M Aggies|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> and losing to [[Ohio State Buckeyes football|Ohio State]] 28–12 on January 1, 1987.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/1986-schedule.html|title=1986 Texas A&M Aggies|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> He is also one of the few coaches to leave Texas A&M with a winning record against the Longhorns, winning his last five against Texas after losing his first two. However, he only won two out of seven games versus Texas A&M's other conference rival, [[Arkansas Razorbacks football|Arkansas]], in that same time span. In 1988, Texas A&M was put under probation by the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] for a period of two years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/09/09/Texas-AM-placed-on-NCAA-probation/6562589780800/|title=Texas A&M placed on NCAA probation - UPI Archives|website=UPI|accessdate=December 7, 2023}}</ref> Violations included improper employment, extra benefits, unethical conduct and lack of institutional control.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D8G2BLJ86.html|title=Slocum enjoys new role at Texas A&M|accessdate=December 7, 2023}}</ref><ref>[https://goomer.ncaa.org/wdbctx/lsdbi/LSDBi.MajorInfPackage.ProcessMultipleBylaws?p_Multiple=0&p_PK=454&p_Button=View+Public+Report&p_TextTerms=ThisIsADummyPhraseThatWillNotBeDuplicated&p_TextTerms2=ThisIsADummyPhraseThatWillNotBeDuplicated&p_Division= Public Infraction Report at NCAA.org]{{dead link|date=December 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Sherrill was not personally found guilty of any infractions. However, in December 1988, Sherrill resigned.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-12-13-sp-227-story.html|title=Sherrill Resigns From Texas A&M : Beleaguered Coach Cites Strain as Reason for Quitting|work=Los Angeles Times|date=December 13, 1988}}</ref>
On January 19, 1982, [[Jackie Sherrill]] was hired away from [[Pitt Panthers football|Pittsburgh]] by A&M as the replacement for Tom Wilson, signing a record six-year contract over $1.7 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F60B12F73A5C0C738EDDA80894DA484D81|title=TEXAS A&M SIGNS SHERRILL TO RICHEST COLLEGE PACT|first=Gordon S. Jr.|last=White|date=January 20, 1982|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref> Sherrill was the head coach of the Texas A&M Aggies for seven seasons, from 1982 to 1988.<ref name="sports-reference.com3">{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/jackie-sherrill-1.html|title=Jackie Sherrill|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref>

While head coach at A&M, Sherrill started the tradition of the "[[12th Man (football)|12th Man Kickoff Team]]", this tradition is still observed by A&M today only in a significantly scaled back form, including a single walk-on rather than an entire return team unit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aggietraditions.tamu.edu/team/12thman.html |title=Aggie Traditions – Twelfth Man |work=tamu.edu |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140212160011/http://aggietraditions.tamu.edu/team/12thman.html |archive-date=February 12, 2014 |df=mdy }}</ref> In Sherrill's seven seasons, A&M compiled a 52–28–1 record.<ref name="sports-reference.com3"/> A&M also won three consecutive [[Southwest Conference]] championships during Sherrill's tenure, in 1985, 1986 and 1987.<ref name="sports-reference.com3"/> As a result, the Aggies played in the [[Cotton Bowl Classic]] at the end of each season, defeating [[Auburn Tigers football|Auburn]] 36–16 on January 1, 1986<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/1985-schedule.html|title=1985 Texas A&M Aggies|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> and [[Notre Dame Fighting Irish football|Notre Dame]] 35–10 on January 1, 1988,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/1987-schedule.html|title=1987 Texas A&M Aggies|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> and losing to [[Ohio State Buckeyes football|Ohio State]] 28–12 on January 1, 1987.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/1986-schedule.html|title=1986 Texas A&M Aggies|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> He is also one of the few coaches to leave Texas A&M with a winning record against the Longhorns, winning his last five against Texas after losing his first two. However, he only won two out of seven games versus Texas A&M's other conference rival, [[Arkansas Razorbacks football|Arkansas]], in that same time span.

In 1988, Texas A&M was put under probation by the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] for a period of two years. Violations included improper employment, extra benefits, unethical conduct and lack of institutional control.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D8G2BLJ86.html|title=Slocum enjoys new role at Texas A&M}}</ref><ref>[https://goomer.ncaa.org/wdbctx/lsdbi/LSDBi.MajorInfPackage.ProcessMultipleBylaws?p_Multiple=0&p_PK=454&p_Button=View+Public+Report&p_TextTerms=ThisIsADummyPhraseThatWillNotBeDuplicated&p_TextTerms2=ThisIsADummyPhraseThatWillNotBeDuplicated&p_Division= Public Infraction Report at NCAA.org]{{dead link|date=December 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Sherrill was not personally found guilty of any infractions. However, in December 1988, Sherrill resigned.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://articles.latimes.com/1988-12-13/sports/sp-227_1_jackie-sherrill|title=Sherrill Resigns From Texas A&M : Beleaguered Coach Cites Strain as Reason for Quitting|work=Los Angeles Times|date=December 13, 1988}}</ref>


===R. C. Slocum era (1989–2002)===
===R. C. Slocum era (1989–2002)===
[[File:Slocum-rc TAMU1.JPG|thumb|150px|Coach Slocum]]
[[File:Slocum-rc TAMU1.JPG|thumb|Coach Slocum]]
In December 1988, [[R.C. Slocum]] was promoted from defensive coordinator and named head coach of the Aggies.<ref name="usatoday30.usatoday.com">{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/big12/2002-12-02-tamu-slocum_x.htm|title=USATODAY.com – Texas A&M fires Slocum after 14 seasons|work=USA Today}}</ref>
In December 1988, [[R.C. Slocum]] was promoted from defensive coordinator and named head coach of the Aggies.<ref name="usatoday30.usatoday.com">{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/big12/2002-12-02-tamu-slocum_x.htm|title=USATODAY.com – Texas A&M fires Slocum after 14 seasons|work=USA Today}}</ref> During Slocum's 14 years as head coach, the Aggies compiled a record of 123–47–2, making Slocum the winningest coach in Texas A&M history.<ref name="usatoday30.usatoday.com"/> During his career, Slocum never had a losing season and won four conference championships, including the [[Big 12]] (the Southwest Conference was renamed in 1996) title in 1998 and two Big 12 South Championships, 1997 1998.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/rc-slocum-1.html|title=R.C. Slocum|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> Additionally, he led the Aggies to become the first school in the [[Southwest Conference]] history to post three consecutive perfect conference seasons and actually went four consecutive seasons without a conference loss. Slocum reached 100 wins faster than any other active coach.

During Slocum's 14 years as head coach, the Aggies compiled a record of 123–47–2, making Slocum the winningest coach in Texas A&M history.<ref name="usatoday30.usatoday.com"/> During his career, Slocum never had a losing season and won four conference championships, including the [[Big 12]] (the Southwest Conference was renamed in 1996) title in 1998 and two Big 12 South Championships, 1997 1998.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/rc-slocum-1.html|title=R.C. Slocum|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> Additionally, he led the Aggies to become the first school in the [[Southwest Conference]] history to post three consecutive perfect conference seasons and actually went four consecutive seasons without a conference loss. Slocum reached 100 wins faster than any other active coach.


A&M's [[Kyle Field]] become one of the hardest places for opponents to play during Slocum's tenure, losing only 12 games at home in 14 years. For over a year, A&M held the longest home-winning streak in the nation, losing in 1989 and not again until late in 1995. In the 1990s, A&M lost only four times at Kyle Field. Slocum was named SWC Coach of the Year three times during his tenure as head coach. A&M's "Wrecking Crew" defense led the Southwest Conference in four statistical categories from 1991 through 1993 and led the nation in total defense in 1991. Over 50 Texas A&M players were drafted into the [[NFL]] during Slocum's career as head coach.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.footballfoundation.org/News/NewsDetail/tabid/567/Article/50897/college-hall-of-fame-candidate-rc-slocum-named-2011-neyland-trophy-winner.aspx|title=College Hall of Fame Candidate R.C. Slocum Named 2011 Neyland Trophy Winner > National Football Foundation > NewsDetail|work=footballfoundation.org|access-date=December 2, 2014|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304031641/http://www.footballfoundation.org/News/NewsDetail/tabid/567/Article/50897/college-hall-of-fame-candidate-rc-slocum-named-2011-neyland-trophy-winner.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>
A&M's [[Kyle Field]] become one of the hardest places for opponents to play during Slocum's tenure, losing only 12 games at home in 14 years. For over a year, A&M held the longest home-winning streak in the nation, losing in 1989 and not again until late in 1995. In the 1990s, A&M lost only four times at Kyle Field. Slocum was named SWC Coach of the Year three times during his tenure as head coach. A&M's "Wrecking Crew" defense led the Southwest Conference in four statistical categories from 1991 through 1993 and led the nation in total defense in 1991. Over 50 Texas A&M players were drafted into the [[NFL]] during Slocum's career as head coach.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.footballfoundation.org/News/NewsDetail/tabid/567/Article/50897/college-hall-of-fame-candidate-rc-slocum-named-2011-neyland-trophy-winner.aspx|title=College Hall of Fame Candidate R.C. Slocum Named 2011 Neyland Trophy Winner > National Football Foundation > NewsDetail|work=footballfoundation.org|access-date=December 2, 2014|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304031641/http://www.footballfoundation.org/News/NewsDetail/tabid/567/Article/50897/college-hall-of-fame-candidate-rc-slocum-named-2011-neyland-trophy-winner.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>


Slocum inherited an Aggie football program that had just finished 7–5 and under severe NCAA sanctions, and cleaned it up quickly. He was quoted in 2002 as saying "I wouldn't trade winning another game or two for my reputation as a person. I've said from day one I'm going to do things the way I think they should be done. There were those who said, `If you don't cheat, you're pretty naive. You can't win that way.' Well, we're going to find out. That's the way we're going to do it. I can walk away and look myself in the mirror and say, 'We did it the right way.'<ref>{{cite news|last=Justice |first=Richard |title=Legacy of tenure at A&M is reform |newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]] |date=2002-12-03 |url=http://www.pngindians.com/news/2002/slocumfired.html |access-date=2007-03-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050509214936/http://www.pngindians.com/news/2002/slocumfired.html |archive-date=May 9, 2005 }}</ref>
Slocum inherited an Aggie football program that had just finished 7–5 and under severe NCAA sanctions, and cleaned it up quickly. He was quoted in 2002 as saying "I wouldn't trade winning another game or two for my reputation as a person. I've said from day one I'm going to do things the way I think they should be done. There were those who said, `If you don't cheat, you're pretty naive. You can't win that way.' Well, we're going to find out. That's the way we're going to do it. I can walk away and look myself in the mirror and say, 'We did it the right way.'<ref>{{cite news|last=Justice |first=Richard |title=Legacy of tenure at A&M is reform |newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]] |date=2002-12-03 |url=http://www.pngindians.com/news/2002/slocumfired.html |access-date=2007-03-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050509214936/http://www.pngindians.com/news/2002/slocumfired.html |archive-date=May 9, 2005 }}</ref> After 14 years as head coach of the Aggies, Slocum was asked to resign in 2002 following only the second non-winning season of his career.<ref name="usatoday30.usatoday.com"/> He immediately assumed a position as special adviser to Texas A&M president [[Robert Gates]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/college/news/2002/12/02/slocum_fired_ap/ |title=CNNSI.com - College Football - Texas A&M fires head coach Slocum - Wednesday December 04, 2002 10:05 AM |access-date=December 2, 2014 |archive-date=July 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130707094520/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/college/news/2002/12/02/slocum_fired_ap/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

After 14 years as head coach of the Aggies, Slocum was asked to resign in 2002 following only the second non-winning season of his career.<ref name="usatoday30.usatoday.com"/> He immediately assumed a position as special adviser to Texas A&M president [[Robert Gates]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/college/news/2002/12/02/slocum_fired_ap/ |title=CNNSI.com - College Football - Texas A&M fires head coach Slocum - Wednesday December 04, 2002 10:05 AM |access-date=December 2, 2014 |archive-date=July 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130707094520/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/college/news/2002/12/02/slocum_fired_ap/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>


===Dennis Franchione era (2003–2007)===
===Dennis Franchione era (2003–2007)===
[[File:CoachFranTXST.png|thumb|150px|Coach Francione]]
[[File:CoachFranTXST.png|thumb|Coach Francione]]
A&M turned to [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|Alabama]] head coach [[Dennis Franchione]] to replace the ousted Slocum.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/06/sports/college-football-texas-a-m-hires-franchione.html|title=COLLEGE FOOTBALL; Texas A&M Hires Franchione|last=The Associated Press|date=December 6, 2002|newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> Franchione brought the majority of his coaching staff from the Crimson Tide for the 2003 season. Franchione signed a contract that was set to pay him a yearly salary of [[USD|$]]1.7 million through 2010.<ref name=BCSE>{{cite news|url=http://www.theeagle.com/local/CoachFrantimelineatTexasA_M |title=Coach Fran timeline at Texas A&M |work=[[The Bryan-College Station Eagle|Bryan-College Station Eagle]] |access-date=2007-11-24 |date=2007-11-24 |author=Eagle Staff |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20071126074636/http://www.theeagle.com/local/CoachFrantimelineatTexasA_M |archive-date=November 26, 2007 |df=mdy }}</ref>
A&M turned to [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|Alabama]] head coach [[Dennis Franchione]] to replace the ousted Slocum.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/06/sports/college-football-texas-a-m-hires-franchione.html|title=COLLEGE FOOTBALL; Texas A&M Hires Franchione|last=The Associated Press|date=December 6, 2002|newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> Franchione brought the majority of his coaching staff from the Crimson Tide for the 2003 season. Franchione signed a contract that was set to pay him a yearly salary of [[USD|$]]1.7 million through 2010.<ref name=BCSE>{{cite news|url=http://www.theeagle.com/local/CoachFrantimelineatTexasA_M |title=Coach Fran timeline at Texas A&M |work=[[The Bryan-College Station Eagle|Bryan-College Station Eagle]] |access-date=2007-11-24 |date=2007-11-24 |author=Eagle Staff |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20071126074636/http://www.theeagle.com/local/CoachFrantimelineatTexasA_M |archive-date=November 26, 2007 |df=mdy }}</ref>


The Aggies finished the 2003 season with a 4–8 record, including a nationally televised 77–0 loss to [[Oklahoma Sooners football|Oklahoma]], the worst loss in A&M's history.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/2003-schedule.html|title=2003 Texas A&M Aggies|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> The season also marked the first losing season for the Aggies after 21 years. In the 2004 season, Franchione attempted the rebuilding process as the team improved to a 7–5 record, and a 5–3 record in [[Big 12|conference play]], including a 35–34 overtime loss to unranked [[Baylor Bears football|Baylor]], ending a 13-game winning streak the Aggies had over Baylor and a 32–25 overtime win over the then No. 25 [[Texas Tech Red Raiders football|Texas Tech]] at Kyle Field, snapping a 3-game skid to the Red Raiders.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/2004-schedule.html|title=2004 Texas A&M Aggies|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> The Aggies ended up advancing to the [[Cotton Bowl Classic]] to play No. 17 [[Tennessee Volunteers football|Tennessee]], but lost 38–7.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goodyearcottonbowl.com/fan-zone/about-classic/past-classics/|title=Cotton Bowl History – Cotton Bowl Classic|work=goodyearcottonbowl.com|access-date=December 2, 2014|archive-date=September 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922112655/http://www.goodyearcottonbowl.com/fan-zone/about-classic/past-classics/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Following the bowl game, A&M officials extended Franchione's contract through 2012 and raised his salary to $2 million.<ref name=BCSE/> In June 2005, prior to the 2005 season, Franchione donated $1 million to the A&M athletic department. The donation went toward the construction of an indoor practice facility, which is now located adjacent to Kyle Field.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chron.com/sports/college/article/Franchione-to-donate-1-million-for-indoor-sports-1483464.php|title=Franchione to donate $1 million for indoor sports facility|work=Houston Chronicle|date=June 28, 2005}}</ref>
The Aggies finished the 2003 season with a 4–8 record, including a nationally televised 77–0 loss to [[Oklahoma Sooners football|Oklahoma]], the worst loss in A&M's history.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/2003-schedule.html|title=2003 Texas A&M Aggies|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> The season also marked the first losing season for the Aggies after 21 years. In the 2004 season, Franchione attempted the rebuilding process as the team improved to a 7–5 record, and a 5–3 record in [[Big 12|conference play]], including a 35–34 overtime loss to unranked [[Baylor Bears football|Baylor]], ending a 13-game winning streak the Aggies had over Baylor and a 32–25 overtime win over the then No. 25 [[Texas Tech Red Raiders football|Texas Tech]] at Kyle Field, snapping a 3-game skid to the Red Raiders.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/2004-schedule.html|title=2004 Texas A&M Aggies|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> The Aggies ended up advancing to the [[Cotton Bowl Classic]] to play No. 17 [[Tennessee Volunteers football|Tennessee]], but lost 38–7.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goodyearcottonbowl.com/fan-zone/about-classic/past-classics/|title=Cotton Bowl History – Cotton Bowl Classic|work=goodyearcottonbowl.com|access-date=December 2, 2014|archive-date=September 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922112655/http://www.goodyearcottonbowl.com/fan-zone/about-classic/past-classics/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Following the bowl game, A&M officials extended Franchione's contract through 2012 and raised his salary to $2 million.<ref name=BCSE/> In June 2005, prior to the 2005 season, Franchione donated $1 million to the A&M athletic department. The donation went toward the construction of an indoor practice facility, which is now located adjacent to Kyle Field.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chron.com/sports/college/article/Franchione-to-donate-1-million-for-indoor-sports-1483464.php|title=Franchione to donate $1 million for indoor sports facility|work=Houston Chronicle|date=June 28, 2005}}</ref>


In the 2005 season, Franchione's Aggies, who were ranked 17th in the [[preseason]] [[AP Poll]], regressed to a 5–6 record.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/2005-schedule.html|title=2005 Texas A&M Aggies|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> The 2005 Aggie defense ranked 107th nationally (out of 119 [[NCAA Division I-A]] teams) and allowed 443.8 yards per game. This prompted Franchione to dismiss [[defensive coordinator]] [[Carl Torbush]]. Franchione then hired former [[Western Michigan Broncos football|Western Michigan]] head coach [[Gary Darnell]] to replace Torbush.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/121605dnspotamulede.12684713.html|title=A&M starts pumping up Darnell|newspaper=Dallas Morning News|access-date=2007-11-24|date=2005-12-16|author=Davis, Brian}}</ref>
In the 2005 season, Franchione's Aggies, who were ranked 17th in the [[preseason]] [[AP Poll]], regressed to a 5–6 record.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/2005-schedule.html|title=2005 Texas A&M Aggies|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> The 2005 Aggie defense ranked 107th nationally (out of 119 [[NCAA Division I-A]] teams) and allowed 443.8 yards per game. This prompted Franchione to dismiss [[defensive coordinator]] [[Carl Torbush]]. Franchione then hired former [[Western Michigan Broncos football|Western Michigan]] head coach [[Gary Darnell]] to replace Torbush.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/121605dnspotamulede.12684713.html|title=A&M starts pumping up Darnell|newspaper=Dallas Morning News|access-date=2007-11-24|date=2005-12-16|author=Davis, Brian}}</ref> In the 2006 season, the Aggies again rebounded under Franchione, posting a 9–3 regular season record that included Franchione's first win over rival Texas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/2006-schedule.html|title=2006 Texas A&M Aggies|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> The 9–3 record also marked the most wins for A&M since 1998. However, in that season's [[2006 Oklahoma Sooners football team#Texas A&M University|Oklahoma game]], which [[College GameDay (football)|ESPN's College GameDay]] visited, Franchione was criticized by fans for making a [[Field goal (football)|field goal]] call with 3:28 left in the game. The 18th-ranked Sooners ended up defeating the 21st-ranked Aggies, 17–16.<ref name=BCSE/> In the [[postseason]], the Aggies faced 20th-ranked [[California Golden Bears football|California]] in the [[Holiday Bowl]] and lost 45–10.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/games/2006-12-29-Holiday-bowl-cal-texas-am_x.htm|title=California stomps Texas A&M in Holiday Bowl - USATODAY.com|work=USA Today}}</ref>


During the 2007 season, Franchione was discovered selling a secret email newsletter, which violated two NCAA rules and one of the [[Big 12]]'s "Principles and Standards of Sportsmanship".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.star-telegram.com/college_sports/story/265436.html|title=A&M admonishes Franchione|work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram|access-date=2007-10-12|date=2007-11-06|author=Miller, John}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> After the Aggies' 34–17 loss to unranked [[Miami Hurricanes football|Miami]] in September 2007, Franchione's coaching abilities were questioned.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.aggiesports.com/stories/100107/cessna_20071001034.php |title=Cessna: Talk around town all about Franchione |work=Bryan-College Station Eagle |access-date=2007-10-01 |date=2007-10-01 |last=Cessna |first=Robert |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016144501/http://www.aggiesports.com/stories/100107/cessna_20071001034.php |archive-date=October 16, 2007 |df=mdy }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/sports/5168353.html | title = Franchione fends off negative vibes | work = [[Houston Chronicle]] | access-date = 2007-09-28 | date = 2007-09-27 | last = Harris | first = Terrance }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/other/09/26/0926aggies.html | title = Dark clouds in Aggieland | work = [[Austin American-Statesman]] | first = Randy | last = Riggs | access-date = 2007-09-28 | date = 2007-09-27 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20071016154818/http://statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/other/09/26/0926aggies.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2007-10-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.star-telegram.com/college_sports/story/245307.html |title=Franchione safe for now, but not forever |work=[[Fort Worth Star-Telegram]] |access-date=2007-09-28 |date=2007-09-24 |last=Burch |first=Jimmy }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/columnists/jtaylor/stories/092107dnspotaylor.3811d35.html | title = Aggies trip on big stage again | work = [[Dallas Morning News]] | access-date = 2007-09-28 | date = 2007-09-21 | last = Taylor | first = Jean-Jacques }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news;_ylt=Aj881XR5BFAPLJZqVMc4E2EcvrYF?slug=franchionesbreachoftrust&prov=tsn&type=lgns |title=Franchione's breach of trust won't be forgiven |publisher=[[Yahoo! Sports]] |access-date=2007-09-30 |last=Dienhart |first=Tom }}{{dead link|date=December 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Several news outlets reported that Franchione would not return for the 2008 season. After Franchione led the Aggies to a 38–30 victory over 13th-ranked Texas, he announced his resignation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=3124823|title=ESPN|work=ESPN.com|date=November 24, 2007}}</ref> Defensive coordinator [[Gary Darnell]] was named the interim head coach. Darnell led the Aggies to a 24–17 defeat at the hands of [[Penn State]] in the [[Alamo Bowl]].<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.aggieathletics.com/pressRelease.php?SID=&PRID=13659 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070813183209/http://www.aggieathletics.com/pressRelease.php?SID=&PRID=13659 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-08-13 |title=Darnell Named Interim Head Football Coach |publisher=Texas A&M Athletics |access-date=2007-11-24 |date=2007-11-24 |df=mdy }}</ref>
In the 2006 season, the Aggies again rebounded under Franchione, posting a 9–3 regular season record that included Franchione's first win over rival Texas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/2006-schedule.html|title=2006 Texas A&M Aggies|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> The 9–3 record also marked the most wins for A&M since 1998. However, in that season's [[2006 Oklahoma Sooners football team#Texas A&M University|Oklahoma game]], which [[College GameDay (football)|ESPN's College GameDay]] visited, Franchione was criticized by fans for making a [[Field goal (football)|field goal]] call with 3:28 left in the game. The 18th-ranked Sooners ended up defeating the 21st-ranked Aggies, 17–16.<ref name=BCSE/> In the [[postseason]], the Aggies faced 20th-ranked [[California Golden Bears football|California]] in the [[Holiday Bowl]] and lost 45–10.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/games/2006-12-29-Holiday-bowl-cal-texas-am_x.htm|title=California stomps Texas A&M in Holiday Bowl - USATODAY.com|work=USA Today}}</ref>

During the 2007 season, Franchione was discovered selling a secret email newsletter, which violated two NCAA rules and one of the [[Big 12]]'s "Principles and Standards of Sportsmanship".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.star-telegram.com/college_sports/story/265436.html|title=A&M admonishes Franchione|work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram|access-date=2007-10-12|date=2007-11-06|author=Miller, John}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> After the Aggies' 34–17 loss to unranked [[Miami Hurricanes football|Miami]] in September 2007, Franchione's coaching abilities were questioned.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.aggiesports.com/stories/100107/cessna_20071001034.php |title=Cessna: Talk around town all about Franchione |work=Bryan-College Station Eagle |access-date=2007-10-01 |date=2007-10-01 |last=Cessna |first=Robert |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016144501/http://www.aggiesports.com/stories/100107/cessna_20071001034.php |archive-date=October 16, 2007 |df=mdy }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/sports/5168353.html | title = Franchione fends off negative vibes | work = [[Houston Chronicle]] | access-date = 2007-09-28 | date = 2007-09-27 | last = Harris | first = Terrance }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/other/09/26/0926aggies.html | title = Dark clouds in Aggieland | work = [[Austin American-Statesman]] | first = Randy | last = Riggs | access-date = 2007-09-28 | date = 2007-09-27 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20071016154818/http://statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/other/09/26/0926aggies.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2007-10-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.star-telegram.com/college_sports/story/245307.html |title=Franchione safe for now, but not forever |work=[[Fort Worth Star-Telegram]] |access-date=2007-09-28 |date=2007-09-24 |last=Burch |first=Jimmy }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/columnists/jtaylor/stories/092107dnspotaylor.3811d35.html | title = Aggies trip on big stage again | work = [[Dallas Morning News]] | access-date = 2007-09-28 | date = 2007-09-21 | last = Taylor | first = Jean-Jacques }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news;_ylt=Aj881XR5BFAPLJZqVMc4E2EcvrYF?slug=franchionesbreachoftrust&prov=tsn&type=lgns |title=Franchione's breach of trust won't be forgiven |publisher=[[Yahoo! Sports]] |access-date=2007-09-30 |last=Dienhart |first=Tom }}{{dead link|date=December 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Several news outlets reported that Franchione would not return for the 2008 season. After Franchione led the Aggies to a 38–30 victory over 13th-ranked Texas, he announced his resignation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3124823|title=ESPN|work=ESPN.com|date=November 24, 2007}}</ref> Defensive coordinator [[Gary Darnell]] was named the interim head coach. Darnell led the Aggies to a 24–17 defeat at the hands of [[Penn State]] in the [[Alamo Bowl]].<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.aggieathletics.com/pressRelease.php?SID=&PRID=13659 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070813183209/http://www.aggieathletics.com/pressRelease.php?SID=&PRID=13659 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-08-13 |title=Darnell Named Interim Head Football Coach |publisher=Texas A&M Athletics |access-date=2007-11-24 |date=2007-11-24 |df=mdy }}</ref>


===Mike Sherman era (2008–2011)===
===Mike Sherman era (2008–2011)===
[[File:MikeSherman2003.jpg|thumb|150px|Coach Sherman]]
[[File:MikeSherman2003.jpg|thumb|Coach Sherman]]
[[Mike Sherman]] was hired away from his post as offensive coordinator of the [[NFL]]'s [[Houston Texans]] to replace Franchione.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chron.com/sports/college-football/article/Sherman-hopes-to-get-A-M-football-on-forward-march-1762522.php|title=Sherman hopes to get A&M football on forward march|first=TERRANCE|last=HARRIS|date=August 28, 2008|website=Chron}}</ref> Sherman signed a 7-year contract that at the time paid him $1.8 million annually.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=3127846|title=Ex-Packers coach Sherman hired by Texas A&M|date=November 26, 2007|website=ESPN.com}}</ref> Sherman abandoned the [[zone read]] option offense run by Franchione and his coaching staff, and installed a pro-style system.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/colleges/topstories/stories/082708dnspoamlede.2d0aba0.html|title=Texas A&M ready to debut new look on offense, defense}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cjonline.com/stories/082808/loc_323913949.shtml|title=Sherman using old-school approach|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080903132528/http://cjonline.com/stories/082808/loc_323913949.shtml|archive-date=September 3, 2008|df=mdy-all}}</ref> A&M used a balanced offense run primarily out of the pro-style formations.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/34068744.html |title=Aggies Mailbag: Sherman offers clue to future offense |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211124032/http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/34068744.html |archive-date=December 11, 2008 |df=mdy }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/oct/21/college-a-different-challenge-for-ex-pro-coaches/|title=College a different challenge for ex-pro coaches|newspaper=The Washington Times}}</ref> Sherman's quarterbacks at A&M were [[Stephen McGee]] and [[Ryan Tannehill]], both of whom would go on to be drafted into the NFL.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/college-sports/texasamaggies/2017/06/05/five-greatest-quarterbacks-texas-am-history-ryan-tannehill-stephen-mcgee-make-list|title=Five greatest quarterbacks in Texas A&M history: Why Ryan Tannehill, Stephen McGee don't make the list|date=June 5, 2017|access-date=July 24, 2017|archive-date=September 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924153956/https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/college-sports/texasamaggies/2017/06/05/five-greatest-quarterbacks-texas-am-history-ryan-tannehill-stephen-mcgee-make-list|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[Mike Sherman]] was hired away from his post as offensive coordinator of the [[NFL]]'s [[Houston Texans]] to replace Franchione.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chron.com/sports/college-football/article/Sherman-hopes-to-get-A-M-football-on-forward-march-1762522.php|title=Sherman hopes to get A&M football on forward march|first=TERRANCE|last=HARRIS|date=August 28, 2008|website=Chron}}</ref> Sherman signed a 7-year contract that at the time paid him $1.8 million annually.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=3127846|title=Ex-Packers coach Sherman hired by Texas A&M|date=November 26, 2007|website=ESPN.com}}</ref> Sherman abandoned the [[zone read]] option offense run by Franchione and his coaching staff, and installed a pro-style system.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/colleges/topstories/stories/082708dnspoamlede.2d0aba0.html|title=Texas A&M ready to debut new look on offense, defense|accessdate=December 7, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cjonline.com/stories/082808/loc_323913949.shtml|title=Sherman using old-school approach|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080903132528/http://cjonline.com/stories/082808/loc_323913949.shtml|archive-date=September 3, 2008|df=mdy-all}}</ref> A&M used a balanced offense run primarily out of the pro-style formations.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/34068744.html |title=Aggies Mailbag: Sherman offers clue to future offense |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211124032/http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/34068744.html |archive-date=December 11, 2008 |df=mdy }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/oct/21/college-a-different-challenge-for-ex-pro-coaches/|title=College a different challenge for ex-pro coaches|newspaper=The Washington Times}}</ref> Sherman's quarterbacks at A&M were [[Stephen McGee]] and [[Ryan Tannehill]], both of whom would go on to be drafted into the NFL.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/college-sports/texasamaggies/2017/06/05/five-greatest-quarterbacks-texas-am-history-ryan-tannehill-stephen-mcgee-make-list|title=Five greatest quarterbacks in Texas A&M history: Why Ryan Tannehill, Stephen McGee don't make the list|date=June 5, 2017|access-date=July 24, 2017|archive-date=September 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924153956/https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/college-sports/texasamaggies/2017/06/05/five-greatest-quarterbacks-texas-am-history-ryan-tannehill-stephen-mcgee-make-list|url-status=dead}}</ref>

After two straight losing seasons, the Aggies started the 2010 season 3–3 but won their final six games and earn a share of the Big 12 South Division title.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/college_sports/big_12/article/Express-News-All-Big-12-team-851495.php|title=Express-News All-Big 12 team|first=Joe|last=Alexander|date=December 1, 2010|website=mySA}}</ref> No. 18 Texas A&M went on to play No. 11 [[LSU Tigers football|LSU]] in the Cotton Bowl. Texas A&M lost 41–24 to end the season at 9–4.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=310070245|title=LSU vs. Texas A&M – Game Recap – January 7, 2011 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/2010-schedule.html|title=2010 Texas A&M Aggies Schedule and Results - College Football at Sports-Reference.com|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> After the 2010 season, A&M signed Sherman a contract extension through the 2015 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/dallas/ncf/story/_/id/6794263/texas-extends-mike-sherman-deal|title=Texas A&M extends Sherman's deal, ups money|date=July 22, 2011}}</ref> His salary was raised to $2.2 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/11/20/3540611/texas-am-wont-fire-sherman-but.html|title=Texas A&M won't fire Sherman, but he's feeling heat|work=star-telegram}}</ref>

In 2011, the Aggies began as a top 10 ranked team, but fell out of the polls after losing four games, three of which had double-digit half-time leads.<ref name="sports-reference.com4">{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/2011-schedule.html|title=2011 Texas A&M Aggies|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> Three of those four losses were to teams later ranked among the top ten in the nation. On November 12, 2011, Texas A&M lost 53-50 after 4 overtimes to the [[Kansas State Wildcats football|Kansas State University]], the most overtimes in program history until a record 7-overtime 74–72 victory over [[LSU Tigers football|Louisiana State University]] on November 24, 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Multiple Overtime College Football Games and Team Records|url=https://www.sportsbetting3.com/ncaafb/multiple-overtime-college-football-games-and-team-records|access-date=2023-03-03|website=sportsbetting3.com|language=en-US}}</ref>


On November 19, 2011, the Aggies defeated [[Kansas Jayhawks football|Kansas]] 61–7 and became bowl-eligible for a third straight season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/ncf/recap/_/id/313230245|title=Kansas vs. Texas A&M – Game Recap – November 19, 2011 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}}</ref> Five days later, on November 24, 2011, they would lose at home to Texas by a score of 27–25 on a last-second field goal,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=313280245|title=Texas vs. Texas A&M – Game Recap – November 24, 2011 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}}</ref> in what would be the last game of the rivalry for the foreseeable future, as the Aggies were to join the [[Southeastern Conference|SEC]] beginning in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7019493/texas-aggies-officially-get-accepted-sec|title=Texas A&M Aggies officially get accepted into the SEC|work=ESPN.com|date=September 25, 2011}}</ref> It was the Aggies' sixth loss of the season, and the fifth in which they held a second-half lead of two or more scores.<ref name="sports-reference.com4"/>
After two straight losing seasons, the Aggies started the 2010 season 3–3 but won their final six games and earn a share of the Big 12 South Division title.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/college_sports/big_12/article/Express-News-All-Big-12-team-851495.php|title=Express-News All-Big 12 team|first=Joe|last=Alexander|date=December 1, 2010|website=mySA}}</ref> No. 18 Texas A&M went on to play No. 11 [[LSU Tigers football|LSU]] in the Cotton Bowl. Texas A&M lost 41–24 to end the season at 9–4.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=310070245|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906223636/http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=310070245|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 6, 2017|title=LSU vs. Texas A&M – Game Recap – January 7, 2011 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/2010-schedule.html|title=2010 Texas A&M Aggies Schedule and Results - College Football at Sports-Reference.com|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> After the 2010 season, A&M signed Sherman a contract extension through the 2015 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/dallas/ncf/story/_/id/6794263/texas-extends-mike-sherman-deal|title=Texas A&M extends Sherman's deal, ups money|date=July 22, 2011}}</ref> His salary was raised to $2.2 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/11/20/3540611/texas-am-wont-fire-sherman-but.html|title=Texas A&M won't fire Sherman, but he's feeling heat|work=star-telegram}}</ref>


In 2011, the Aggies began as a top 10 ranked team, but fell out of the polls after losing four games, three of which had double-digit half-time leads.<ref name="sports-reference.com4">{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/2011-schedule.html|title=2011 Texas A&M Aggies|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> Three of those four losses were to teams later ranked among the top ten in the nation. On November 12, 2011, Texas A&M lost 53–50 after 4 overtimes to the [[Kansas State Wildcats football|Kansas State University]], the most overtimes in program history until a record 7-overtime 74–72 victory over [[LSU Tigers football|Louisiana State University]] on November 24, 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Multiple Overtime College Football Games and Team Records|url=https://www.sportsbetting3.com/ncaafb/multiple-overtime-college-football-games-and-team-records|access-date=2023-03-03|website=sportsbetting3.com|language=en-US}}</ref> On November 19, 2011, the Aggies defeated [[Kansas Jayhawks football|Kansas]] 61–7 and became bowl-eligible for a third straight season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/313230245|title=Kansas vs. Texas A&M – Game Recap – November 19, 2011 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}}</ref> Five days later, on November 24, 2011, they would lose at home to Texas by a score of 27–25 on a last-second field goal,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=313280245|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906225538/http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=313280245|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 6, 2017|title=Texas vs. Texas A&M – Game Recap – November 24, 2011 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}}</ref> in what would be the last game of the rivalry for the foreseeable future, as the Aggies were to join the [[Southeastern Conference|SEC]] beginning in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/7019493/texas-aggies-officially-get-accepted-sec|title=Texas A&M Aggies officially get accepted into the SEC|work=ESPN.com|date=September 25, 2011}}</ref> It was the Aggies' sixth loss of the season, and the fifth in which they held a second-half lead of two or more scores.<ref name="sports-reference.com4"/> Sherman was fired by Texas A&M on December 1, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/7304629/texas-aggies-fire-football-coach-mike-sherman|title=Texas A&M Aggies fire football coach Mike Sherman|work=ESPN.com|date=December 2, 2011}}</ref> The Aggies compiled a record of 25–25 during Sherman's four-year tenure.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/mike-sherman-1.html|title=Mike Sherman|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref>
Sherman was fired by Texas A&M on December 1, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7304629/texas-aggies-fire-football-coach-mike-sherman|title=Texas A&M Aggies fire football coach Mike Sherman|work=ESPN.com|date=December 2, 2011}}</ref> The Aggies compiled a record of 25–25 during Sherman's four-year tenure.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/mike-sherman-1.html|title=Mike Sherman|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref>


===Kevin Sumlin era (2012–2017)===
===Kevin Sumlin era (2012–2017)===
[[File:Kevin Sumlin, Head Football Coach, Texas A&M University.jpg|thumb|150px|Coach Sumlin]]
[[File:Kevin Sumlin, Head Football Coach, Texas A&M University.jpg|thumb|Coach Sumlin]]
On December 13, 2011, A&M hired [[Houston Cougars football|Houston]] head coach [[Kevin Sumlin]] as the program's 28th head football coach.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/7345322/kevin-sumlin-introduced-new-texas-aggies-coach|title=Kevin Sumlin introduced as new Texas A&M Aggies coach|work=ESPN.com|date=December 12, 2011}}</ref> Sumlin was the first [[African American]] head coach in Texas A&M football history.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/7337943/houston-cougar-kevin-sumlin-leaving-texas-aggies|title=Houston Cougar's Kevin Sumlin leaving for Texas A&M Aggies|work=ESPN.com|date=December 10, 2011}}</ref> In 2012, Sumlin led the Aggies to an 11–2 record, including victories over then-No. 1 Alabama, and No. 11 [[Oklahoma Sooners football|Oklahoma]] in the [[Cotton Bowl Classic|AT&T Cotton Bowl]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/2012-schedule.html|title=2012 Texas A&M Aggies|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> Starting quarterback [[Johnny Manziel]] won the [[Heisman Trophy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/8727326/johnny-manziel-texas-aggies-wins-2012-heisman-trophy|title=Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M Aggies wins 2012 Heisman Trophy|work=ESPN.com|date=December 9, 2012}}</ref> The Aggies finished the 2012 season ranked in the top 5 of both the Coaches Poll and the AP Poll.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.12thman.com/news/2013/1/8/205887260.aspx|title=Highest Final Rank Since 1956 for Texas A&M Football|website=Texas A&M University Athletics Department}}</ref> Texas A&M also led the SEC in total offense, total scoring offense, total rushing yds, and led the nation in third down conversion percentage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://12thman.com/news/2012/11/8/205730804.aspx?print=true|title=Game Notes: Alabama – Texas A&M University Athletics Department|website=12thman.com}}</ref> Kevin Sumlin and the Texas A&M Aggies became the first SEC team in history to amass over 7,000 yds in total offense.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.12thman.com/news/2014/5/7/209491630.aspx|title=Three Aggies Expected in NFL First Round|website=Texas A&M University Athletics Department}}</ref> Sumlin's 2013 Aggies, led by Manziel, finished with a 9–4 record, which included a victory over [[Duke Blue Devils football|Duke]] in the [[2013 Chick-fil-A Bowl|Chick-fil-A Bowl]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/2013-schedule.html|title=2013 Texas A&M Aggies|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=333650245 |title=Duke Blue Devils vs Texas A&M Aggies – Recap |work=ESPN.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141202102719/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=333650245 |archive-date=December 2, 2014 }}</ref> On November 30, 2013, A&M signed Sumlin to a six-year, $30 million contract extension.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2013-11-30/kevin-sumlin-extension-raise-staying-at-texas-am-johnny-manziel-committed-aggies|title=Kevin Sumlin to receive new 6-year deal from Texas A&M|website=[[Sporting News]]|date=November 30, 2014|access-date=December 21, 2014|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924132628/http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2013-11-30/kevin-sumlin-extension-raise-staying-at-texas-am-johnny-manziel-committed-aggies|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com/2013/12/kevin-sumlins-full-contract-confirms-texas-ams-commitment-to-the-coach.html/ |title=Contract details revealed for Texas A&M's Kevin Sumlin: Buyout raised to $5M if he leaves before 2016; no buyout thereafter |first=Kate |last=Hairopoulos |date=December 16, 2013 |access-date=December 21, 2014 |website=[[Dallas Morning News]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222000523/http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com/2013/12/kevin-sumlins-full-contract-confirms-texas-ams-commitment-to-the-coach.html/ |archive-date=December 22, 2014 }}</ref>
On December 13, 2011, A&M hired [[Houston Cougars football|Houston]] head coach [[Kevin Sumlin]] as the program's 28th head football coach.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7345322/kevin-sumlin-introduced-new-texas-aggies-coach|title=Kevin Sumlin introduced as new Texas A&M Aggies coach|work=ESPN.com|date=December 12, 2011}}</ref> Sumlin was the first [[African American]] head coach in Texas A&M football history.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7337943/houston-cougar-kevin-sumlin-leaving-texas-aggies|title=Houston Cougar's Kevin Sumlin leaving for Texas A&M Aggies|work=ESPN.com|date=December 10, 2011}}</ref>


For the 2014 season, the Aggies came out strong to begin the season, winning their first 5 games before stumbling mid-season to three top 10-ranked teams, including a 59–0 loss to No. 7 ranked [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|Alabama]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400548364|title=Texas A&M vs. Alabama – Game Recap – October 18, 2014 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}}</ref> The Aggies finished the season 8–5 overall and 3–5 in SEC play.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/2014-schedule.html|title=2014 Texas A&M Aggies Schedule and Results - College Football at Sports-Reference.com|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> With the [[Liberty Bowl]] victory over [[West Virginia Mountaineers football|West Virginia]], the Aggies won four straight bowl games for the first time in program history. After the season, which was marred by defensive struggles,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1872018-texas-am-football-aggies-late-season-struggles-are-cause-for-concern|title=Texas A&M Football: Aggies' Late-Season Struggles Are Cause for Concern|first=Michael|last=Taglienti|website=[[Bleacher Report]]}}</ref> Sumlin dismissed his defensive coordinator, [[Mark Snyder]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/11950800/texas-aggies-fire-defensive-coordinator-mark-snyder|title=Texas A&M fires DC Snyder after 7–5 season|date=November 28, 2014}}</ref> and replaced him with [[John Chavis (American football)|John Chavis]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/12103626/defensive-coordinator-john-chavis-heading-texas-aggies-lsu-tigers|title=Source: DC Chavis exits LSU for Texas A&M|date=December 31, 2014}}</ref> In 2015, A&M again finished 8–5.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/2015-schedule.html|title=2015 Texas A&M Aggies Schedule and Results - College Football at Sports-Reference.com|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> The season was marked by a strong start with struggles to close the season. A&M finished the season with a loss to [[Louisville Cardinals football|Louisville]] in the [[Music City Bowl]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400852729|title=Texas A&M vs. Louisville – Game Recap – December 30, 2015 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}}</ref>
In 2012, Sumlin led the Aggies to an 11–2 record, including victories over then-No. 1 Alabama, and No. 11 [[Oklahoma Sooners football|Oklahoma]] in the [[Cotton Bowl Classic|AT&T Cotton Bowl]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/2012-schedule.html|title=2012 Texas A&M Aggies|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> Starting quarterback [[Johnny Manziel]] won the [[Heisman Trophy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/8727326/johnny-manziel-texas-aggies-wins-2012-heisman-trophy|title=Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M Aggies wins 2012 Heisman Trophy|work=ESPN.com|date=December 9, 2012}}</ref> The Aggies finished the 2012 season ranked in the top 5 of both the Coaches Poll and the AP Poll.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.12thman.com/news/2013/1/8/205887260.aspx|title=Highest Final Rank Since 1956 for Texas A&M Football|website=Texas A&M University Athletics Department}}</ref> Texas A&M also led the SEC in total offense, total scoring offense, total rushing yds, and led the nation in third down conversion percentage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://12thman.com/news/2012/11/8/205730804.aspx?print=true|title=Game Notes: Alabama – Texas A&M University Athletics Department|website=12thman.com}}</ref> Kevin Sumlin and the Texas A&M Aggies became the first SEC team in history to amass over 7,000 yds in total offense.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.12thman.com/news/2014/5/7/209491630.aspx|title=Three Aggies Expected in NFL First Round|website=Texas A&M University Athletics Department}}</ref> Sumlin's 2013 Aggies, led by Manziel, finished with a 9–4 record, which included a victory over [[Duke Blue Devils football|Duke]] in the [[2013 Chick-fil-A Bowl|Chick-fil-A Bowl]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/2013-schedule.html|title=2013 Texas A&M Aggies|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=333650245 |title=Duke Blue Devils vs Texas A&M Aggies – Recap |work=ESPN.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141202102719/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=333650245 |archive-date=December 2, 2014 }}</ref> On November 30, 2013, A&M signed Sumlin to a six-year, $30 million contract extension.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2013-11-30/kevin-sumlin-extension-raise-staying-at-texas-am-johnny-manziel-committed-aggies|title=Kevin Sumlin to receive new 6-year deal from Texas A&M|website=[[Sporting News]]|date=November 30, 2014|access-date=December 21, 2014|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924132628/http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2013-11-30/kevin-sumlin-extension-raise-staying-at-texas-am-johnny-manziel-committed-aggies|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com/2013/12/kevin-sumlins-full-contract-confirms-texas-ams-commitment-to-the-coach.html/ |title=Contract details revealed for Texas A&M's Kevin Sumlin: Buyout raised to $5M if he leaves before 2016; no buyout thereafter |first=Kate |last=Hairopoulos |date=December 16, 2013 |access-date=December 21, 2014 |website=[[Dallas Morning News]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222000523/http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com/2013/12/kevin-sumlins-full-contract-confirms-texas-ams-commitment-to-the-coach.html/ |archive-date=December 22, 2014 }}</ref>


For the 2014 season, the Aggies came out strong to begin the season, winning their first 5 games before stumbling mid-season to three top 10-ranked teams, including a 59–0 loss to No. 7 ranked [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|Alabama]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400548364|title=Texas A&M vs. Alabama – Game Recap – October 18, 2014 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}}</ref> The Aggies finished the season 8–5 overall and 3–5 in SEC play.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/2014-schedule.html|title=2014 Texas A&M Aggies Schedule and Results - College Football at Sports-Reference.com|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> With the [[Liberty Bowl]] victory over [[West Virginia Mountaineers football|West Virginia]], the Aggies won four straight bowl games for the first time in program history. After the season, which was marred by defensive struggles,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1872018-texas-am-football-aggies-late-season-struggles-are-cause-for-concern|title=Texas A&M Football: Aggies' Late-Season Struggles Are Cause for Concern|first=Michael|last=Taglienti|website=[[Bleacher Report]]}}</ref> Sumlin dismissed his defensive coordinator, [[Mark Snyder]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/11950800/texas-aggies-fire-defensive-coordinator-mark-snyder|title=Texas A&M fires DC Snyder after 7–5 season|date=November 28, 2014}}</ref> and replaced him with [[John Chavis (American football)|John Chavis]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/12103626/defensive-coordinator-john-chavis-heading-texas-aggies-lsu-tigers|title=Source: DC Chavis exits LSU for Texas A&M|date=December 31, 2014}}</ref> In 2015, A&M again finished 8–5.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/2015-schedule.html|title=2015 Texas A&M Aggies Schedule and Results - College Football at Sports-Reference.com|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> The season was marked by a strong start with struggles to close the season. A&M finished the season with a loss to [[Louisville Cardinals football|Louisville]] in the [[Music City Bowl]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400852729|title=Texas A&M vs. Louisville Game Recap December 30, 2015 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}}</ref>
Sumlin led the Aggies to a third consecutive 8–5 mark in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/2016-schedule.html|title=2016 Texas A&M Aggies Schedule and Results - College Football at Sports-Reference.com|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> The season was again marked a strong start with another late-season collapse, as A&M began the season 6–0, but losing four of its final five games. Texas A&M finished the 2016 season with a loss to [[Kansas State Wildcats football|Kansas State]] in the [[Texas Bowl]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400876099|title=Texas A&M vs. Kansas State Game Recap – December 28, 2016 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}}</ref> Sumlin started off the 2017 season by surrendering a 34-point lead to UCLA. Sumlin was fired from the position on November 26, 2017, after his team finished 7–5.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/21574091/texas-aggies-fire-coach-kevin-sumlin-six-seasons|title=Texas A&M fires Sumlin, eyes FSU's Fisher|date=November 26, 2017|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=December 7, 2023}}</ref> Sumlin finished 51–26 at A&M and with a 25–23 record in the SEC.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/college/2017/11/25/kevin-sumlin-fired-texas-am|title=Texas A&M fires head football coach Kevin Sumlin|first=Charlotte|last=Carroll|date=November 25, 2017|magazine=Sports Illustrated|accessdate=December 7, 2023}}</ref> Despite A&M football's struggles during the Sumlin era, the program was recognized by ''[[Forbes]]'' in August 2018 as the most valuable in the country, based on average revenue and profit figures from the 2014–16 seasons.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/2018/09/11/college-footballs-most-valuable-teams/|title=College Football's Most Valuable Teams: Texas A&M Jumps To No. 1|first=Chris|last=Smith|website=Forbes}}</ref>


===Jimbo Fisher era (2018–2023)===
Sumlin led the Aggies to a third consecutive 8–5 mark in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/2016-schedule.html|title=2016 Texas A&M Aggies Schedule and Results - College Football at Sports-Reference.com|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> The season was again marked a strong start with another late-season collapse, as A&M began the season 6–0, but losing four of its final five games. Texas A&M finished the 2016 season with a loss to [[Kansas State Wildcats football|Kansas State]] in the [[Texas Bowl]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400876099|title=Texas A&M vs. Kansas State – Game Recap – December 28, 2016 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}}</ref>
[[File:Jimbo A&M Press Conference.png|thumb|Coach Fisher]]
On December 4, 2017, [[Florida State Seminoles football|Florida State]] head coach [[Jimbo Fisher]] was formally introduced as the Aggies head coach.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/21631488/jimbo-fisher-leaving-florida-state-accept-coaching-job-texas-am | title=Sources: Fisher's Texas A&M deal richest ever| date=December 2017}}</ref> A splashy hire, Fisher arrived in College Station after a very successful eight-year run at FSU, leading the Seminoles to three [[Atlantic Coast Conference]] championships, six ten-win seasons, the 2013 national championship and coached [[Heisman Trophy]] winning quarterback [[Jameis Winston]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://12thman.com/staff.aspx?staff=620 |title = Jimbo Fisher – Head Coach – Staff Directory}}</ref> A&M signed Fisher to a 10-year contract worth a total base salary of $75 million, the most lucrative contract in terms of guaranteed money signed by a newly hired head coach in college football history.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.si.com/college-football/2017/12/01/jimbo-fisher-texas-am-coach-contract-florida-state |title = Jimbo Fisher leaving Florida State for Texas A&M| newspaper=Sports Illustrated }}</ref>


In 2018, Fisher led the Aggies to a 9–4 record. The season included a notable seven-overtime victory over then-No. 7 [[2018 LSU Tigers football team|LSU]]. The combined 146 points scored during the game broke the [[NCAA FBS]] record for the most points scored in a game, the most points scored in a losing effort (72 by LSU), and tied the record for the most overtimes along with multiple school records for both sides.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.kbtx.com/content/sports/Mond-helps-Aggies-over-No-8-LSU-74-72-in-7-OTs-501193991.html | title=Mond helps Aggies over No. 8 LSU 74–72 in 7 OTs | access-date=November 25, 2018 | archive-date=March 27, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327091801/https://www.kbtx.com/content/sports/Mond-helps-Aggies-over-No-8-LSU-74-72-in-7-OTs-501193991.html | url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2019, Coach Fisher posted a 4–4 conference record, good for fourth in the [[Southeastern Conference]] West division. The Aggies wound up with an 8–5 overall win-loss record.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2019 SEC College Football Standings|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/standings/_/season/2019/group/8|access-date=2023-03-03|website=[[ESPN]]|language=en-US}}</ref> On December 27, 2019, Texas A&M defeated #25 Oklahoma State 24–21 at the "Academy Sports + Outdoors Bowl", later titled the [[Texas Bowl]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Texas Bowl - Oklahoma State vs Texas A&M Box Score - December 27, 2019 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2019-12-27-texas-am.html|access-date=2023-03-03|website=sports-reference.com|language=en-US}}</ref>
Sumlin started off the 2017 season by surrendering a 34-point lead to UCLA. Sumlin was fired from the position on November 26, 2017, after his team finished 7–5. Sumlin finished 51–26 at A&M and with a 25–23 record in the SEC. Despite A&M football's struggles during the Sumlin era, the program was recognized by ''[[Forbes]]'' in August 2018 as the most valuable in the country, based on average revenue and profit figures from the 2014–16 seasons.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/2018/09/11/college-footballs-most-valuable-teams/|title=College Football's Most Valuable Teams: Texas A&M Jumps To No. 1|first=Chris|last=Smith|website=Forbes}}</ref>


The Aggies improved substantially in 2020 despite the challenges imposed by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. They finished the season with an 8–1 SEC record, a 9–1 overall result, and a #5 national ranking.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2020 SEC College Football Standings|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/standings/_/season/2020/group/8|access-date=2023-03-03|website=[[ESPN]]|language=en-US}}</ref> Texas A&M faced the #13 [[North Carolina Tar Heels football]] team at the 2021 [[Orange Bowl]] on January 2, 2021. The Aggies won handily 41–27. The victory produced a combined 3–0 Orange Bowl record for Fisher following his previous successful outings with the [[Florida State Seminoles football]] team at the 2013 and 2016 Orange Bowls.<ref>{{Cite web|title=#5 TEXAS A&M WINS THE 87TH CAPITAL ONE ORANGE BOWL|url=https://www.orangebowl.org/5-texas-am-wins-the-87th-capital-one-orange-bowl/|access-date=2023-03-03|website=orangebowl.org|language=en-US}}</ref> In January 2021, following the Orange Bowl victory, A&M gave Fisher a new ten-year contract worth $95 million fully guaranteed excluding incentives.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/college/2023/11/13/numbers-behind-jimbo-fisher-texas-am-buyout|title=The Numbers Behind Jimbo Fisher's Pricey Texas A&M Buyout|first=Richard|last=Johnson|date=November 13, 2023|magazine=Sports Illustrated|accessdate=December 7, 2023}}</ref> Texas A&M slipped in 2021. Despite an upset 41–38 win over the #1 [[Alabama Crimson Tide football]] team on October 9, 2021, and a 20–3 rout of the [[Auburn Tigers football]] team on November 6, 2021,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/401282126|title=Texas A&M 20-3 Auburn (Nov 6, 2021) Game Recap|website=ESPN|accessdate=December 7, 2023}}</ref> the Aggies were unable to win consistently. They failed to qualify for a 2021-22 bowl game. Ultimately, Fisher steered the team to a 4–4 SEC conference standing and 8–4 overall record.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2021 SEC College Football Standings|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/standings/_/season/2021/group/8|access-date=2023-03-03|website=[[ESPN]]|language=en-US}}</ref> After the 2021 season, Fisher lost his defensive coordinator [[Mike Elko]], who took the [[Duke Blue Devils football|Duke]] head coaching job.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32839321/sources-duke-hiring-texas-defensive-coordinator-mike-elko-head-football-coach|title=Duke hires Texas A&M coordinator Elko as coach|date=December 11, 2021|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=December 7, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/college/2021/12/11/duke-hires-texas-a-m-defensive-coordinator-mike-elko|title=Duke Hires New Football Coach|first=Wilton|last=Jackson|date=December 10, 2021|magazine=Sports Illustrated|accessdate=December 7, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://goduke.com/news/2021/12/13/football-mike-elko-introduced-as-dukes-next-head-coach.aspx|title=Mike Elko Introduced as Duke's Next Head Coach|date=December 13, 2021|website=Duke University|accessdate=December 7, 2023}}</ref>
===Jimbo Fisher era (2018–present)===
On December 4, 2017, [[Florida State Seminoles football|Florida State]] head coach [[Jimbo Fisher]] was formally introduced as the Aggies head coach.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/21631488/jimbo-fisher-leaving-florida-state-accept-coaching-job-texas-am | title=Sources: Fisher's Texas A&M deal richest ever| date=December 2017}}</ref> A splashy hire, Fisher arrived in College Station after a very successful eight-year run at FSU, leading the Seminoles to three [[Atlantic Coast Conference]] championships, six ten-win seasons, the 2013 national championship and coached [[Heisman Trophy]] winning quarterback [[Jameis Winston]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://12thman.com/staff.aspx?staff=620 |title = Jimbo Fisher – Head Coach – Staff Directory}}</ref> A&M signed Fisher to a 10-year contract worth a total base salary of $75 million, the most lucrative contract in terms of guaranteed money signed by a newly hired head coach in college football history.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.si.com/college-football/2017/12/01/jimbo-fisher-texas-am-coach-contract-florida-state |title = Jimbo Fisher leaving Florida State for Texas A&M| newspaper=Sports Illustrated }}</ref>


The Aggies would enter the [[2022 Texas A&M Aggies football team|2022]] with high expectations, ranked #6 in the country.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Neomi |date=August 19, 2022 |title=Best- and worst-case scenarios for Texas A&M in 2022: High expectations await Aggies |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/texas-am-aggies/2022/08/19/best-and-worst-case-scenarios-for-texas-am-in-2022-high-expectations-await-aggies/ |access-date=July 6, 2023 |website=Dallas News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gorur |first=Sanjay |date=January 16, 2022 |title=Can Texas A&M Meet Expectations in 2022? |url=https://lastwordonsports.com/collegefootball/2022/01/16/can-texas-am-meet-expectations-in-2022/ |access-date=July 6, 2023 |website=Last Word on College Football |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NCAA College Football Rankings: AP Top 25 Football Poll |url=https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll?week=1 |access-date=July 5, 2023 |website=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> They lost six of their first nine games, including a shocking upset loss to unranked [[2022 Appalachian State Mountaineers football team|Appalachian State]] in the Aggies' second game.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=McDaniel |first=Mike |date=September 10, 2022 |title=App State Grabbed Upset Over No. 6 Texas A&M and Reportedly $1.5M |url=https://www.si.com/college/2022/09/10/app-state-walked-away-with-upset-over-no-6-texas-a-m-and-1-5m |access-date=July 5, 2023 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en-us}}</ref> The Aggies suffered through a six-game losing streak during the season. 2022 marked the first time the Aggies had lost six consecutive games since the 1972 season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bruffett |first=Darryl V. |date=November 19, 2022 |title=Texas A&M returns to Kyle Field looking to snap 6 game losing streak |url=https://www.kbtx.com/2022/11/19/texas-am-returns-kyle-field-looking-snap-6-game-losing-streak/ |access-date=July 6, 2023 |website=KBTX |language=en}}</ref> The team finished with a 5–7 mark, missing a bowl game, but ending the season on a positive note with an upset 38–23 victory over #5 [[2022 LSU Tigers football team|LSU]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Nagy |first=Zack |date=November 26, 2022 |title=Instant Analysis: LSU Falls to Texas A&M 38-23 in Season Altering Loss |url=https://www.si.com/college/lsu/football/instant-analysis-lsu-falls-to-texas-a-m-38-23-in-season-altering-loss |access-date=July 6, 2023 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2022 Texas A&M Aggies Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-am/2022-schedule.html |access-date=July 5, 2023 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> In response to the offensive struggles and overall disappointment with the 2022 season, Fisher gave up play-calling duties and hired former [[Louisville Cardinals football|Louisville]] and [[Arkansas Razorbacks football|Arkansas]] head coach [[Bobby Petrino]] as the team's offensive coordinator.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/35379116/texas-hiring-bobby-petrino-offensive-coordinator|title=Texas A&M's Fisher brings in Petrino as new OC|date=January 4, 2023|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=December 7, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://12thman.com/news/2023/1/6/football-petrino-hired-as-offensive-coordinator|title=Petrino Hired as Offensive Coordinator|website=Texas A&M Athletics - 12thMan.com|accessdate=December 7, 2023}}</ref> Fisher was fired as Aggies head coach on November 12, 2023, after having a 6–4 record through 10 games in the 2023 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/38880082/jimbo-fisher-expected-fired-texas-sources-confirm|title=Fisher fired by Texas A&M, to get record buyout|date=November 12, 2023|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=December 7, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Texas A&M Athletics Announces Change in Football Leadership |url=https://12thman.com/news/2023/11/12/texas-am-athletics-announces-change-in-football-leadership.aspx |website=12thman.com}}</ref> His contract was bought out for $77.5 million, more than three times the largest buyout in college football history.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/sec/2023/11/12/jimbo-fisher-fired-texas-am-football-coach-record-buyout/71558001007/ |title=Texas A&M fires football coach Jimbo Fisher, triggering record $77 million buyout |first=Steve |last=Gardner |date=November 12, 2023 |work=[[USA Today]] |access-date=November 13, 2023}}</ref> Fisher left College Station with a 45–25 overall record with a 27–21 record in SEC play.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/college/2023/11/13/texas-am-athletic-director-explains-decision-fire-jimbo-fisher-stuck-in-neutral|title=Texas A&M AD Explains Decision to Fire Jimbo Fisher With Aggies 'Stuck in Neutral'|first=Karl|last=Rasmussen|date=November 12, 2023|magazine=Sports Illustrated|accessdate=December 7, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/texas-a-m-had-to-fire-jimbo-fisher/|title=Texas A&M Had to Fire Jimbo Fisher, Even With a $77 Million Buyout|first=Richard|last=Justice|date=November 13, 2023|website=Texas Monthly|accessdate=December 7, 2023}}</ref> Defensive line coach [[Elijah Robinson]] was named interim head coach for the rest of the 2023 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aggieswire.usatoday.com/lists/elijah-robinson-texas-aggies-football-syracuse-football-texact-texas-bowl/|title=Everything Texas A&M interim HC Elijah Robinson had to say during Tuesday's press conference|date=December 6, 2023|accessdate=December 7, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kbtx.com/2023/11/13/elijah-robinson-begins-tenure-texas-ams-interim-head-coach/|title=Elijah Robinson begins tenure as Texas A&M's interim head coach|first=Tyler|last=Shaw|date=November 13, 2023|website=kbtx.com|accessdate=December 7, 2023}}</ref>
In 2018, Fisher led the Aggies to a 9–4 record. The season included a notable seven-overtime victory over then-No. 7 [[2018 LSU Tigers football team|LSU]]. The combined 146 points scored during the game broke the [[NCAA FBS]] record for the most points scored in a game, the most points scored in a losing effort (72 by LSU), and tied the record for the most overtimes along with multiple school records for both sides.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.kbtx.com/content/sports/Mond-helps-Aggies-over-No-8-LSU-74-72-in-7-OTs-501193991.html | title=Mond helps Aggies over No. 8 LSU 74–72 in 7 OTs | access-date=November 25, 2018 | archive-date=March 27, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327091801/https://www.kbtx.com/content/sports/Mond-helps-Aggies-over-No-8-LSU-74-72-in-7-OTs-501193991.html | url-status=dead }}</ref>


===Mike Elko era (2024–present)===
In 2019, Coach Fisher posted a 4-4 conference record, good for fourth in the [[Southeastern Conference]] West division. The Aggies wound up with a 8-5 overall win-loss record.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2019 SEC College Football Standings|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/standings/_/season/2019/group/8|access-date=2023-03-03|website=espn.com|language=en-US}}</ref> On December 27, 2019, Texas A&M defeated #25 Oklahoma State 24–21 at the "Academy Sports + Outdoors Bowl", later titled the [[Texas Bowl]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Texas Bowl - Oklahoma State vs Texas A&M Box Score - December 27, 2019 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2019-12-27-texas-am.html|access-date=2023-03-03|website=sports-reference.com|language=en-US}}</ref>
On November 26, 2023, [[Duke Blue Devils football|Duke]] head coach [[Mike Elko]] was officially named as the new Aggies head coach.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/38986402/texas-nearing-deal-mike-elko-next-coach|title=Texas A&M hires Duke's Elko to replace Fisher|date=November 26, 2023|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=December 7, 2023}}</ref> Elko had prior ties to Texas A&M, serving as Jimbo Fisher's defensive coordinator from 2018 to 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/sec/2023/11/28/texas-am-mike-elko-hiring-duke/71717531007/|title=What to expect from Mike Elko after Texas A&M hired Duke coach to replace Jimbo Fisher|website=USA TODAY|accessdate=December 7, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/texas-a-m-hires-mike-elko-aggies-bring-back-former-defensive-boss-after-successful-run-leading-duke/|title=Texas A&M hires Mike Elko: Aggies bring back former defensive boss after successful run leading Duke|date=November 27, 2023|website=CBSSports.com|accessdate=December 7, 2023}}</ref> Elko signed a six-year contract with A&M worth $7 million annually excluding incentives.<ref>{{cite web | last=Wilburn | first=Caroline | title=Texas A&M names Mike Elko as new head football coach | website=The Texas Tribune | date=27 November 2023 | url=https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/27/texas-am-football-mike-elko/#:~:text=Elko%27s%20six-year%20contract%20will,depending%20on%20the%20team%27s%20performance | access-date=7 December 2023}}</ref> Elko's tenure with the Aggies started positively, as through his first 7 games as head coach, the Aggies compiled a 6–1 record, 4–0 against SEC foes, and a 41–10 rout of the then 9th ranked [[2024 Missouri Tigers football team|Missouri Tigers]] at home.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401628383/missouri-texas-am|title=No.9 Missouri Tigers vs. Texas A&M Aggies|date=October 5, 2024|website=CBSSports.com|accessdate=October 22, 2024}}</ref>

The Aggies improved substantially in 2020 despite the challenges imposed by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. They finished the season with a 8-1 SEC record, a 9-1 overall result, and a #5 national ranking.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2020 SEC College Football Standings|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/standings/_/season/2020/group/8|access-date=2023-03-03|website=espn.com|language=en-US}}</ref> Texas A&M faced the #13 [[North Carolina Tar Heels football]] team at the 2021 [[Orange Bowl]] on January 2, 2021. The Aggies won handily 41–27. The victory produced a combined 3-0 Orange Bowl record for Fisher following his previous successful outings with the [[Florida State Seminoles football]] team at the 2013 and 2016 Orange Bowls.<ref>{{Cite web|title=#5 TEXAS A&M WINS THE 87TH CAPITAL ONE ORANGE BOWL|url=https://www.orangebowl.org/5-texas-am-wins-the-87th-capital-one-orange-bowl/|access-date=2023-03-03|website=orangebowl.org|language=en-US}}</ref>

Texas A&M slipped in 2021. Despite an upset 41–38 win over the #1 [[Alabama Crimson Tide football]] team on October 9, 2021, and a 20–3 rout of the [[Auburn Tigers football]] team on November 6, 2021, the Aggies were unable to win consistently. They failed to qualify for a 2021-22 bowl game. Ultimately, Fisher steered the team to a 4-4 SEC conference standing and 8-4 overall record.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2021 SEC College Football Standings|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/standings/_/season/2021/group/8|access-date=2023-03-03|website=espn.com|language=en-US}}</ref>


==Conference affiliations==
==Conference affiliations==
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===National championships===
===National championships===
Texas A&M has been selected national champions in three seasons from NCAA-designated major selectors.<ref name="2018ncaabook">{{cite book | url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2018/FBS.pdf | title=2018 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records | publisher=National Collegiate Athletic Association | date=August 2018 | location=Indianapolis| access-date=October 29, 2018}}</ref>{{rp|111–112}} Texas A&M claims all three championships.<ref name="2018MG">{{cite web |title=2018 Media Guide |url=https://12thman.com/documents/2018/8/14/2018_TAMU_Football_Guide.pdf |website=12thman.com |publisher=Texas A&M Athletics |access-date=October 30, 2018 }}</ref>{{rp|45–47}}
Texas A&M has been selected national champions in three seasons from NCAA-designated major selectors, including the [[AP Trophy|AP Poll]] national championship in [[1939 Texas A&M Aggies football team|1939]].<ref name="2018ncaabook">{{cite book | url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2018/FBS.pdf | title=2018 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records | publisher=National Collegiate Athletic Association | date=August 2018 | location=Indianapolis| access-date=October 29, 2018}}</ref>{{rp|111–112}} Texas A&M claims all three championships.<ref name="2018MG">{{cite web |title=2018 Media Guide |url=https://12thman.com/documents/2018/8/14/2018_TAMU_Football_Guide.pdf |website=12thman.com |publisher=Texas A&M Athletics |access-date=October 30, 2018 }}</ref>{{rp|45–47}}

The 1919 team finished 10–0–0 and was not scored upon, earning a retroactive national title by ten selectors, including the Billingsley Report and National Championship Foundation. Other systems retroactively award the 1919 National Championship to either Notre Dame or Harvard.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/yearly_results.php?year=1919|title=1919 National Championships|publisher=College Football Data Warehouse|access-date=January 5, 2008|archive-date=November 7, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071107161546/http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/yearly_results.php?year=1919|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aggieathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=27300&SPSID=632660&SPID=93232&ATCLID=205238864|title=Texas A&M Football History|work=12thman.com|access-date=May 31, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717060336/http://www.aggieathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=27300&SPSID=632660&SPID=93232&ATCLID=205238864|archive-date=July 17, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The 1927 team finished 8–0–1, with a tie against TCU in [[Fort Worth, Texas]], earning a retroactive national title awarded by the Sagarin Rating and the Sagarin ELO-Chess. In 1939, the undefeated Aggies were voted No. 1 by the [[AP Poll]] shortly after its inception along with No. 1 in 8 of the 12 other major polls, after the [[1939 Texas A&M Aggies football team|1939 season]].


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Texas A&M Aggies|Season|Coach|Selectors|Record|Bowl|Opponent|Result}}
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Texas A&M Aggies|Season|Coach|Selectors|Record|Bowl|Final AP|Final Coaches}}
|-
|-
| [[1919 Texas A&M Aggies football team|1919]] || rowspan="2"|[[Dana X. Bible]] || [[Billingsley Report|Billingsley]], [[National Championship Foundation]] || 10–0 || – || – || –
| [[1919 Texas A&M Aggies football team|1919]] || rowspan="2"|[[Dana X. Bible]] || [[Billingsley Report|Billingsley]], [[National Championship Foundation]] || 10–0 || – || – || –
|-
|-
| [[1927 Texas A&M Aggies football team|1927]] || [[Sagarin Ratings|Sagarin]], Sagarin ELO-Chess || 8–0–1 || – || – || –
| [[1927 Texas A&M Aggies football team|1927]] || [[Sagarin Ratings|Sagarin]], Sagarin ELO-Chess || 8–0–1 || – || – || –
|-
|-
| [[1939 Texas A&M Aggies football team|1939]] || {{nowrap|[[Homer H. Norton]]}} || [[Associated Press]], [[Berryman (QPRS)|Berryman]], Billingsley, [[Boand System|Boand]], [[College Football Researchers Association|CFRA]], [[DeVold System|DeVold]], [[Dunkel System|Dunkel]], [[Helms Athletic Foundation|Helms]], [[Houlgate System|Houlgate]], NCF, [[Poling System|Poling]], Sagarin, [[Williamson System|Williamson]] || 11–0 || [[1940 Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[1939 Tulane Green Wave football team|Tulane]] || {{nowrap|'''W''' 14–13}}
| '''[[1939 Texas A&M Aggies football team|1939]]''' || {{nowrap|[[Homer H. Norton]]}} || [[Associated Press]], [[Berryman (QPRS)|Berryman]], Billingsley, [[Boand System|Boand]], [[College Football Researchers Association|CFRA]], [[DeVold System|DeVold]], [[Dunkel System|Dunkel]], [[Helms Athletic Foundation|Helms]], [[Houlgate System|Houlgate]], NCF, [[Poling System|Poling]], Sagarin, [[Williamson System|Williamson]] || 11–0 || Won [[1940 Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || '''No. 1''' || –
|}
|}

*The 1919 team finished 10–0–0 and was not scored upon, earning a retroactive national title by ten selectors, including the Billingsley Report and National Championship Foundation. Other systems retroactively award the 1919 National Championship to either Notre Dame or Harvard.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/yearly_results.php?year=1919|title=1919 National Championships|publisher=College Football Data Warehouse|access-date=January 5, 2008|archive-date=November 7, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071107161546/http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/yearly_results.php?year=1919|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aggieathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=27300&SPSID=632660&SPID=93232&ATCLID=205238864|title=Texas A&M Football History|work=12thman.com|access-date=May 31, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717060336/http://www.aggieathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=27300&SPSID=632660&SPID=93232&ATCLID=205238864|archive-date=July 17, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*The 1927 team finished 8–0–1, with a tie against TCU in [[Fort Worth, Texas]], earning a retroactive national title awarded by the Sagarin Rating and the Sagarin ELO-Chess.
*In 1939, the undefeated Aggies (11–0) were voted No. 1 by the [[AP Poll]] shortly after its inception along with No. 1 in 8 of the 12 other major polls. Texas A&M defeated the No. 5 [[1939 Tulane Green Wave football team|Tulane Green Wave]] in the [[1940 Sugar Bowl]].


===Conference championships===
===Conference championships===
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|-
|-
| [[2020 Texas A&M Aggies football team|2020]] || Jimbo Fisher || [[2021 Orange Bowl (January)|Orange Bowl]] || [[2020 North Carolina Tar Heels football team|North Carolina]] || '''W''' 41–27
| [[2020 Texas A&M Aggies football team|2020]] || Jimbo Fisher || [[2021 Orange Bowl (January)|Orange Bowl]] || [[2020 North Carolina Tar Heels football team|North Carolina]] || '''W''' 41–27
|-
| [[2023 Texas A&M Aggies football team|2023]] || [[Elijah Robinson]] (interim)|| [[2023 Texas Bowl|Texas Bowl]] || [[2023 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team|Oklahoma State]] || '''L''' 23–31
|}
|}


==Rivalries==
==Rivalries==
{{Multiple issues|section=yes|
{{more citations needed section|date=April 2018}}
{{update section|date=August 2018}}
{{update section|date=August 2018}}
}}

===LSU===
===LSU===
{{Main|LSU–Texas A&M football rivalry}}
{{Main|LSU–Texas A&M football rivalry}}
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===Arkansas===
===Arkansas===
{{Main|Arkansas–Texas A&M football rivalry}}
{{Main|Arkansas–Texas A&M football rivalry}}
The Aggies first played the [[Arkansas Razorbacks football|Razorbacks]] in 1903. From 1934 to 1991, the two teams played annually as [[Southwest Conference]] members. In 1991, however, Arkansas left the Southwest Conference to join the [[Southeastern Conference]]. Arkansas leads the all-time series 42–35–3 through the 2023 season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Winsipedia - Texas A&M Aggies vs. Arkansas Razorbacks football series history |url=http://www.winsipedia.com/texas-am/vs/arkansas |access-date=2023-06-27 |website=Winsipedia |language=en}}</ref>
The Aggies first played the [[Arkansas Razorbacks football|Razorbacks]] in 1903. From 1934 to 1991, the two teams played annually as [[Southwest Conference]] members. In 1991, however, Arkansas left the Southwest Conference to join the [[Southeastern Conference]]. Arkansas leads the all-time series 42–36–3 through the 2024 season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Winsipedia - Texas A&M Aggies vs. Arkansas Razorbacks football series history |url=http://www.winsipedia.com/texas-am/vs/arkansas |access-date=2023-06-27 |website=Winsipedia |language=en}}</ref>


On March 10, 2008, officials from both schools announced the revival of the series, which recommenced on October 3, 2009. The game is played at [[Cowboys Stadium]], which was initially expected to hold about 80,000 fans. The game is dubbed "The Southwest Classic", which pays homage to both schools' past relationship to the Southwest Conference. The initial agreement between the two schools allows the game to be played for at least 10 years, followed by five consecutive four-year rollover options, allowing the game to be played for a total of 30 consecutive seasons.<ref>
On March 10, 2008, officials from both schools announced the revival of the series, which recommenced on October 3, 2009. The game is played at [[Cowboys Stadium]], which was initially expected to hold about 80,000 fans. The game is dubbed "The Southwest Classic", which pays homage to both schools' past relationship to the Southwest Conference. The initial agreement between the two schools allows the game to be played for at least 10 years, followed by five consecutive four-year rollover options, allowing the game to be played for a total of 30 consecutive seasons.<ref>
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Once the Aggies joined the SEC, the agreement with Cowboys Stadium came to an end because the SEC does not allow its members to entertain potential recruits at neutral-site games. However, the SEC has removed this recruiting rule, and the Aggies and Razorbacks will again move the rivalry to [[AT&T Stadium]] in 2014. (cf. Georgia and Florida, which play at a neutral site, do not intend to entertain recruits at that site.) The agreement is expected to last at least 11 seasons, or through the 2024 football season.
Once the Aggies joined the SEC, the agreement with Cowboys Stadium came to an end because the SEC does not allow its members to entertain potential recruits at neutral-site games. However, the SEC has removed this recruiting rule, and the Aggies and Razorbacks will again move the rivalry to [[AT&T Stadium]] in 2014. (cf. Georgia and Florida, which play at a neutral site, do not intend to entertain recruits at that site.) The agreement is expected to last at least 11 seasons, or through the 2024 football season.


Over the life of the series, the Aggies have shut out the Razorbacks 10 times, and been shut out 9 times. The Aggies hold the largest margin of victory with a 58–10 win in College Station on September 29, 2012 (the Aggies also hold the second-largest margin of victory with a 41–0 win in College Station in 1942). The Razorbacks and Aggies are tied for the longest winning streak at 9, the Razorbacks from 1958 to 1966, and the Aggies from 2012 to 2020.
Over the life of the series, the Aggies have shut out the Razorbacks 10 times, and been shut out 9 times. The Aggies hold the largest margin of victory with a 58–10 win in College Station on September 29, 2012 (the Aggies also hold the second-largest margin of victory with a 41–0 win in College Station in 1942). The Razorbacks and Aggies are tied for the longest winning streak at 9, the Razorbacks from 1958 to 1966, and the Aggies from 2012 to 2020.


===Texas===
===Texas===
[[File:Lone Star Showdown 2006 McGee on goal-line.jpg|right|thumb|300px|2006 [[Lone Star Showdown]] football game]]
{{Main|Texas–Texas A&M football rivalry}}
{{Main|Texas–Texas A&M football rivalry}}
{{See also|State Farm Lone Star Showdown}}
{{See also|State Farm Lone Star Showdown}}
[[File:Lone Star Showdown 2006 McGee on goal-line.jpg|right|thumb|2006 [[Lone Star Showdown]] football game]]
{{very long section|date=April 2018}}


The [[Texas Longhorns football|Texas]]-Texas A&M rivalry dates back to 1894. It is the longest-running rivalry for both teams. It ranks as the third most-played rivalry in [[Division I-A]] college football,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1122productions.com/rivalries/t.html |title=College Football Rivalries |access-date=March 31, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070823224636/http://www.1122productions.com/rivalries/t.html |archive-date=August 23, 2007 |df=mdy }}</ref> and the most-played intrastate rivalry. Most of the series' lopsided victories occurred prior to A&M's transition from an all-male and all-white military school, and the rivalry has been fairly even since. Until the rivalry ended in 2012, the two teams played each other every year since 1894 with the exception of six seasons [1895 (when the Aggies did not field a team), 1896, 1897, 1913, and 1914]. During some seasons, the Aggies and Longhorns played each other twice.
The [[Texas Longhorns football|Texas]]-Texas A&M rivalry dates back to 1894. It is the longest-running rivalry for both teams. It ranks as the third most-played rivalry in [[Division I-A]] college football,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1122productions.com/rivalries/t.html |title=College Football Rivalries |access-date=March 31, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070823224636/http://www.1122productions.com/rivalries/t.html |archive-date=August 23, 2007 |df=mdy }}</ref> and the most-played intrastate rivalry. Most of the series' lopsided victories occurred prior to A&M's transition from an all-male and all-white military school, and the rivalry has been fairly even since. Until the rivalry ended in 2012, the two teams played each other every year since 1894 with the exception of six seasons [1895 (when the Aggies did not field a team), 1896, 1897, 1913, and 1914]. During some seasons, the Aggies and Longhorns played each other twice.
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Aspects of the rivalry include:
Aspects of the rivalry include:
* Each school mentions the other in its fight song (Texas with "and it's goodbye to A&M" in [[Texas Fight]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lhb.music.utexas.edu/history/songs_index.html |title=History of School and Fight Songs |work=The University of Texas Longhorn Band website |access-date=July 11, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060615172507/http://lhb.music.utexas.edu/history/songs_index.html |archive-date=June 15, 2006 |df=mdy }}</ref> and the Aggies singing "Goodbye to Texas University, so long to the orange and the white" as the opening line of the second verse of the [[Fightin' Texas Aggie War Hymn|Aggie War Hymn]]),<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.aggieathletics.com/index2.php?&CAT=TRD&pageID=219 | title=The Aggie War Hymn | work=Official Website of Texas A&M Athletics | access-date=July 11, 2006 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060522024844/http://www.aggieathletics.com/index2.php?&CAT=TRD&pageID=219 |archive-date = May 22, 2006}}</ref> and "saw Varsity's horns off" about Texas in the chorus.
* Each school mentions the other in its fight song (Texas with "and it's goodbye to A&M" in [[Texas Fight]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lhb.music.utexas.edu/history/songs_index.html |title=History of School and Fight Songs |work=The University of Texas Longhorn Band website |access-date=July 11, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060615172507/http://lhb.music.utexas.edu/history/songs_index.html |archive-date=June 15, 2006 |df=mdy }}</ref> and the Aggies singing "Goodbye to Texas University, so long to the orange and the white" as the opening line of the second verse of the [[Fightin' Texas Aggie War Hymn|Aggie War Hymn]],<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.aggieathletics.com/index2.php?&CAT=TRD&pageID=219 | title=The Aggie War Hymn | work=Official Website of Texas A&M Athletics | access-date=July 11, 2006 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060522024844/http://www.aggieathletics.com/index2.php?&CAT=TRD&pageID=219 |archive-date = May 22, 2006}}</ref> and "saw Varsity's horns off" about Texas in the chorus.)
* The football series between the two universities is the third longest running rivalry in all of college football.<ref>{{Cite news| url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/big12/2005-11-24-texas-preview_x.htm | title= Texas following usual rivalry game routine | author=Wieberg, Steve |work=USA Today | date=November 24, 2005 | access-date=July 11, 2006}}</ref> Since 1900, the last regular season football game is usually reserved for their matchup.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=36&url_subchannel_id=&url_article_id=1349&change_well_id=2 |title=All Time Results |work=MackBrownTexasFootball.com |access-date=July 11, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060511231552/http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=36&url_subchannel_id=&url_article_id=1349&change_well_id=2 |archive-date=May 11, 2006 |df=mdy }}</ref>
* The football series between the two universities is the third longest running rivalry in all of college football.<ref>{{Cite news| url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/big12/2005-11-24-texas-preview_x.htm | title= Texas following usual rivalry game routine | author=Wieberg, Steve |work=USA Today | date=November 24, 2005 | access-date=July 11, 2006}}</ref> Since 1900, the last regular season football game is usually reserved for their matchup.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=36&url_subchannel_id=&url_article_id=1349&change_well_id=2 |title=All Time Results |work=MackBrownTexasFootball.com |access-date=July 11, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060511231552/http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=36&url_subchannel_id=&url_article_id=1349&change_well_id=2 |archive-date=May 11, 2006 |df=mdy }}</ref>
* Each school has elaborate pre-game preparations for the annual football clash, including the [[Aggie Bonfire]]<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.studentbonfire.com/ |title=The Bonfire Burns | work=StudentBonfire.com | access-date=July 11, 2006}}</ref> and the [[Hex Rally]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/?s=&url_channel_id=39&url_subchannel_id=&url_article_id=44&change_well_id=2 |title=Hex Rally |work=MackBrownTexasFootball.com |access-date=July 11, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312032623/http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/?s=&url_channel_id=39&url_subchannel_id=&url_article_id=44&change_well_id=2 |archive-date=March 12, 2007 }}</ref>
* Each school has elaborate pre-game preparations for the annual football clash, including the [[Aggie Bonfire]]<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.studentbonfire.com/ |title=The Bonfire Burns | work=StudentBonfire.com | access-date=July 11, 2006}}</ref> and the [[Hex Rally]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/?s=&url_channel_id=39&url_subchannel_id=&url_article_id=44&change_well_id=2 |title=Hex Rally |work=MackBrownTexasFootball.com |access-date=July 11, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312032623/http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/?s=&url_channel_id=39&url_subchannel_id=&url_article_id=44&change_well_id=2 |archive-date=March 12, 2007 }}</ref>
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===Texas Tech===
===Texas Tech===
{{Main|Texas A&M–Texas Tech football rivalry}}
{{Main|Texas A&M–Texas Tech football rivalry}}
The Aggies first played the [[Texas Tech Red Raiders football|Red Raiders]] in 1927. The Aggies lead the all-time series 37–32–1.

The Aggies first played the [[Texas Tech Red Raiders football|Red Raiders]] in 1927. The Aggies lead the all-time series 37–32–1.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aggieathletics.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/texastech.html |title=All-Time Football Scores: Texas Tech }}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>


Over the life of the series, the Aggies have shutout the Red Raiders four times, and the Red Raiders have shutout the Aggies four times. The Aggies hold the largest margin of victory with a 47–6 win in College Station on November 28, 1927. The Aggies and Red Raiders each have win streaks of six games, which are the longest in the series (the Aggies' streak included the 1927 and 1932 games as well as the games from 1942 to 1945; the Red Raiders' streak was uninterrupted from 1968 to 1973).
Over the life of the series, the Aggies have shutout the Red Raiders four times, and the Red Raiders have shutout the Aggies four times. The Aggies hold the largest margin of victory with a 47–6 win in College Station on November 28, 1927. The Aggies and Red Raiders each have win streaks of six games, which are the longest in the series (the Aggies' streak included the 1927 and 1932 games as well as the games from 1942 to 1945; the Red Raiders' streak was uninterrupted from 1968 to 1973).
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==Texas A&M first-team All-Americans==
==Texas A&M first-team All-Americans==
In the years since 1889, several organizations and publications have recognized the top players in the nation by naming them to All-America teams. To be considered an All-American, a player needs to be named to the first-team on at least one of the lists of these organizations. In addition, the NCAA further recognizes certain players by honoring them with the "Consensus" All-American title. At present, the Consensus honor is determined by referencing the first, second, and third teams of five organizations and assigning a varying number of points for each time a player appears on one of those five lists. The points are totaled and the player with the most points at his position is awarded the Consensus honor. The five organizations whose lists are used for the Consensus determination are the [[Associated Press|Associated Press (AP)]],<ref>The Associated Press has selected an All-American Team since 1925.</ref> [[American Football Coaches Association|American Football Coaches Association (AFCA)]],<ref>The AFCA All-American Team has been selected since 1945 and has sometimes appeared under the name of its sponsor/publisher.</ref> [[Football Writers Association of America|Football Writers Association of America (FWAA)]],<ref>The Football Writers Association of America have produced an All-American Team since 1944.</ref> [[Sporting News|Sporting News (TSN)]],<ref>''Sporting News'' has selected an All-American team since 1934.</ref> and [[Walter Camp Football Foundation|Walter Camp Football Foundation (WCFF)]].<ref>The Walter Camp Football Foundation has selected an All-American team since 1889.</ref> Finally, a player can be recognized with the "Unanimous Consensus" honor if all five of the previously listed organizations have recognized that player as a First-Team All-American.
{{Create list|section|date=April 2018}}
In the years since 1889, several organizations and publications have recognized the top players in the nation by naming them to All-America teams. To be considered an All-American, a player needs to be named to the first-team on at least one of the lists of these organizations. In addition, the NCAA further recognizes certain players by honoring them with the "Consensus" All-American title. At present, the Consensus honor is determined by referencing the first, second, and third teams of five organizations and assigning a varying number of points for each time a player appears on one of those five lists. The points are totaled and the player with the most points at his position is awarded the Consensus honor. The five organizations whose lists are used for the Consensus determination are the [[Associated Press|Associated Press (AP)]],<ref>The Associated Press has selected an All-American Team since 1925.</ref> [[American Football Coaches Association|American Football Coaches Association (AFCA)]].,<ref>The AFCA All-American Team has been selected since 1945 and has sometimes appeared under the name of its sponsor/publisher.</ref> [[Football Writers Association of America|Football Writers Association of America (FWAA)]],<ref>The Football Writers Association of America have produced an All-American Team since 1944.</ref> [[Sporting News|Sporting News (TSN)]].,<ref>Sporting News has selected an All-American team since 1934.</ref> and [[Walter Camp Football Foundation|Walter Camp Football Foundation (WCFF)]].<ref>The Walter Camp Football Foundation has selected an All-American team since 1889.</ref> Finally, a player can be recognized with the "Unanimous Consensus" honor if all five of the previously listed organizations have recognized that player as a First-Team All-American.


Texas A&M has had 53 players that have been named First-Team All-Americans for a total of 72 seasons (19 players have been honored in two different seasons). 30 of those were Consensus All-Americans. Texas A&M has had 27 All-Americans on Offense, 34 All-Americans on Defense, and 11 All-Americans on Special Teams. The Linebacker position is the most represented position with 14 selections (Offensive Tackle/Offensive Guard is the next highest with 12 selections). Texas A&M has had an All-American selection at every position, and has had at least one All-American in every decade since the 1930s. The highest number of All-Americans during one decade took place from 1990 to 1999 when 16 players were named All-Americans for a total of 18 seasons.
Texas A&M has had 53 players that have been named First-Team All-Americans for a total of 72 seasons (19 players have been honored in two different seasons). 30 of those were Consensus All-Americans. Texas A&M has had 27 All-Americans on Offense, 34 All-Americans on Defense, and 11 All-Americans on Special Teams. The Linebacker position is the most represented position with 14 selections (Offensive Tackle/Offensive Guard is the next highest with 12 selections). Texas A&M has had an All-American selection at every position, and has had at least one All-American in every decade since the 1930s. The highest number of All-Americans during one decade took place from 1990 to 1999 when 16 players were named All-Americans for a total of 18 seasons.


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
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| [[Drew Kaser]]
| [[Drew Kaser]]
| P
| P
| 2012–2015
| 2012-2015
| 2013
| 2013
| 2013
| 2013
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| [[DeMarvin Leal]]
| [[DeMarvin Leal]]
| DE
| DE
| 2019–2021
| 2019-2021
| 2021
| 2021
|
|
Line 1,050: Line 1,007:
| [[Steve O'Neal]]
| [[Steve O'Neal]]
| P
| P
| 1965–1968
| 1965-1968
|
|
|
|
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{{main|Kyle Field}}
{{main|Kyle Field}}
[[File:Kyle Field Panorama.jpg|thumb|Kyle Field stadium (pictured in 2015), where the Aggies play their home games]]
[[File:Kyle Field Panorama.jpg|thumb|Kyle Field stadium (pictured in 2015), where the Aggies play their home games]]
The Aggies play at [[Kyle Field]], which has been the home to the Aggies in rudimentary form since 1904, and as a permanent concrete stadium since 1927.<ref name=Timeline>{{Cite web|url=https://12thman.com/sports/2015/7/30/kyle_timeline.aspx|title=Kyle Field Historical Timeline|website=Texas A&M Athletics – Home of the 12th Man}}</ref>
The Aggies play at Kyle Field, which has been the home to the Aggies in rudimentary form since 1904, and as a permanent concrete stadium since 1927.<ref name=Timeline>{{Cite web|url=https://12thman.com/sports/2015/7/30/kyle_timeline.aspx|title=Kyle Field Historical Timeline|website=Texas A&M Athletics – Home of the 12th Man}}</ref>
The [[seating capacity]] of 102,733 in 2015 makes the stadium the largest in the [[Southeastern Conference]] and the [[List of NCAA Division I FBS football stadiums|fourth-largest stadium]] in the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]], the [[list of American football stadiums by capacity|fourth-largest stadium in the United States]], and the [[list of stadiums by capacity|sixth-largest non-racing stadium]] in the world. It is also the largest football stadium in the state of Texas.
The [[seating capacity]] of 102,733 in 2015 makes the stadium the largest in the [[Southeastern Conference]] and the [[List of NCAA Division I FBS football stadiums|fourth-largest stadium]] in the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]], the [[list of American football stadiums by capacity|fourth-largest stadium in the United States]], and the [[list of stadiums by capacity|sixth-largest non-racing stadium]] in the world. It is also the largest football stadium in the state of Texas.


==Traditions==
==Traditions==
{{See also|Traditions of Texas A&M University}}
{{See also|Traditions of Texas A&M University}}
{{more citations needed section|date=April 2018}}

===12th Man===
===12th Man===
{{See also|12th Man (football)}}
{{See also|12th Man (football)}}
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Seniors wearing either their [[Senior boots]] or Aggie Rings are also encouraged to join the "Boot Line." As the [[Fightin' Texas Aggie Band]] leaves the field after their [[half-time]] performances, seniors line up at the south end of Kyle Field to welcome the team back onto the field for the second half.<ref name="hartsell">{{Cite news|last=Hartsell |first=Jeff |title=Citadel punter returns home for A&M game |newspaper=Charleston Post and Courier |date=August 29, 2006 |url=http://www.aggiesports.com/stories/082906/football_20060829037.php |access-date=August 20, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926232411/http://www.aggiesports.com/stories/082906/football_20060829037.php |archive-date=September 26, 2007 }}</ref>
Seniors wearing either their [[Senior boots]] or Aggie Rings are also encouraged to join the "Boot Line." As the [[Fightin' Texas Aggie Band]] leaves the field after their [[half-time]] performances, seniors line up at the south end of Kyle Field to welcome the team back onto the field for the second half.<ref name="hartsell">{{Cite news|last=Hartsell |first=Jeff |title=Citadel punter returns home for A&M game |newspaper=Charleston Post and Courier |date=August 29, 2006 |url=http://www.aggiesports.com/stories/082906/football_20060829037.php |access-date=August 20, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926232411/http://www.aggiesports.com/stories/082906/football_20060829037.php |archive-date=September 26, 2007 }}</ref>


The tradition began in [[Dallas]] on January 2, 1922, at the [[Dixie Classic (bowl game)|Dixie Classic]], the forerunner of the [[Cotton Bowl Classic]]. A&M played defending national champion [[1921 Centre Praying Colonels football team|Centre College]] in the first post-season game in the southwest. In this hard fought game, which produced national publicity, an underdog Aggie team was slowly defeating a team which had allowed fewer than 6 points per game. The first half produced so many injuries for A&M that [[Dana X. Bible|Coach D. X. Bible]] feared he wouldn't have enough men to finish the game. At that moment, he called into the Aggie section of the stands for E. King Gill, a student who had left football after the regular season to play basketball. Gill, who was spotting players for a Waco newspaper and was not in football uniform, donned the uniform of injured player Heine Weir and stood on the sidelines to await his turn. Although he did not actually play in the game, his readiness to play symbolized the willingness of all Aggies to support their team to the point of actually entering the game. When the game ended in a 22–14 Aggie victory, Gill was the only man left standing on the sidelines for the Aggies. Gill later said, "I wish I could say that I went in and ran for the winning touchdown, but I did not. I simply stood by in case my team needed me."<ref name="beano">{{Cite web|last=Cook|first=Beano|title=Ten Days That Shook the Sport|publisher=ESPN|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2615391|date=October 8, 2006|access-date=July 26, 2007}}</ref>
The tradition began in [[Dallas]] on January 2, 1922, at the [[Dixie Classic (bowl game)|Dixie Classic]], the forerunner of the [[Cotton Bowl Classic]]. A&M played defending national champion [[1921 Centre Praying Colonels football team|Centre College]] in the first post-season game in the southwest. In this hard fought game, which produced national publicity, an underdog Aggie team was slowly defeating a team which had allowed fewer than 6 points per game. The first half produced so many injuries for A&M that [[Dana X. Bible|Coach D. X. Bible]] feared he wouldn't have enough men to finish the game. At that moment, he called into the Aggie section of the stands for E. King Gill, a student who had left football after the regular season to play basketball. Gill, who was spotting players for a Waco newspaper and was not in football uniform, donned the uniform of injured player Heine Weir and stood on the sidelines to await his turn. Although he did not actually play in the game, his readiness to play symbolized the willingness of all Aggies to support their team to the point of actually entering the game. When the game ended in a 22–14 Aggie victory, Gill was the only man left standing on the sidelines for the Aggies. Gill later said, "I wish I could say that I went in and ran for the winning touchdown, but I did not. I simply stood by in case my team needed me."<ref name="beano">{{Cite web|last=Cook|first=Beano|title=Ten Days That Shook the Sport|publisher=ESPN|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=2615391|date=October 8, 2006|access-date=July 26, 2007}}</ref>


In the 1980s, the tradition was expanded as coach [[Jackie Sherrill]] created the 12th Man squad led by 12th man standout Dean Berry. Composed solely of walk-on (non-scholarship) players, the squad would take the field for special teams' performances.<ref name="beano"/> This squad never allowed a kickoff return for a touchdown.<ref name="heater"/> Sherrill's successor, [[R. C. Slocum]], amended the tradition in the 1990s to allow one walk-on player, wearing the No. 12 jersey, to take the field for special teams' plays.<ref name="beano"/> The player is chosen based on the level of determination and hard work shown in practices. Coach [[Dennis Franchione]] has continued Slocum's model, while also keeping an all-walk-on kickoff team that played three times in the 2006 season.<ref name="heater">{{Cite news|last=Heater|first=Jay|title=LaMantia A&M's main 12th Man|newspaper=[[Oakland Tribune]]|date=December 27, 2006|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20061227/ai_n17077154|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081022235318/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20061227/ai_n17077154|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 22, 2008|access-date=July 26, 2007}}</ref>
In the 1980s, the tradition was expanded as coach [[Jackie Sherrill]] created the 12th Man squad led by 12th man standout Dean Berry. Composed solely of walk-on (non-scholarship) players, the squad would take the field for special teams' performances.<ref name="beano"/> This squad never allowed a kickoff return for a touchdown.<ref name="heater"/> Sherrill's successor, [[R. C. Slocum]], amended the tradition in the 1990s to allow one walk-on player, wearing the No. 12 jersey, to take the field for special teams' plays.<ref name="beano"/> The player is chosen based on the level of determination and hard work shown in practices. Coach [[Dennis Franchione]] has continued Slocum's model, while also keeping an all-walk-on kickoff team that played three times in the 2006 season.<ref name="heater">{{Cite news|last=Heater|first=Jay|title=LaMantia A&M's main 12th Man|newspaper=[[Oakland Tribune]]|date=December 27, 2006|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20061227/ai_n17077154|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081022235318/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20061227/ai_n17077154|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 22, 2008|access-date=July 26, 2007}}</ref>
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Bonfire was postponed until 2002 in order to restructure it to make it safer. Delays in the development of a safety plan and a high estimated cost (mainly due to [[liability insurance]]), led A&M president Ray Bowen to postpone Bonfire indefinitely.<ref name="milloy">{{Cite news| last = Milloy | first = Ross E.| department = National Briefing | newspaper=[[The New York Times]] | url =https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E03E5DA113DF936A35751C0A9649C8B63|date=February 5, 2002 | access-date =March 3, 2007 | title = Southwest: Texas: Aggie President Cancels Bonfire }}</ref> Despite the university's refusal to allow Bonfire to take place on campus, since 2002 a non-university sanctioned Bonfire has burned annually.<ref name="badger">{{Cite news|title=Off-campus Texas A&M bonfire brings out thousands |newspaper=The Badger Herald |url=http://badgerherald.com/news/2002/11/26/offcampus_texas_a_m_.php |date=November 26, 2002 |access-date=March 3, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071110225606/http://badgerherald.com/news/2002/11/26/offcampus_texas_a_m_.php |archive-date=November 10, 2007 |df=mdy }}</ref> Known as Student Bonfire, the off-campus event draws between 8,000 and 15,000 fans.<ref name="windle">{{Cite news|last=Moghe |first=Sonia |title=Off-campus bonfire |newspaper=The Battalion |url=http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2005/11/17/News/OffCampus.Bonfire-1108094.shtml |date=November 17, 2005 |access-date=March 3, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926225829/http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2005/11/17/News/OffCampus.Bonfire-1108094.shtml |archive-date=September 26, 2007 |df=mdy }}</ref> Student Bonfire utilizes many changes for safety purposes, and has only recorded two serious injuries since its inception, neither life-threatening. The newly designed stack was designed by a professional engineer (a former student) and features a center pole with 4 perimeter poles connected via "windle-sticks". In the new design, the height is capped at 45 feet (not including the outhouse), and all the logs touch the ground. Alcohol is strictly prohibited from all student bonfire functions as it was revealed that a number of the students working on the collapsed bonfire in 1999 had [[blood alcohol content|BACs]] higher than the legal driving limit.
Bonfire was postponed until 2002 in order to restructure it to make it safer. Delays in the development of a safety plan and a high estimated cost (mainly due to [[liability insurance]]), led A&M president Ray Bowen to postpone Bonfire indefinitely.<ref name="milloy">{{Cite news| last = Milloy | first = Ross E.| department = National Briefing | newspaper=[[The New York Times]] | url =https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E03E5DA113DF936A35751C0A9649C8B63|date=February 5, 2002 | access-date =March 3, 2007 | title = Southwest: Texas: Aggie President Cancels Bonfire }}</ref> Despite the university's refusal to allow Bonfire to take place on campus, since 2002 a non-university sanctioned Bonfire has burned annually.<ref name="badger">{{Cite news|title=Off-campus Texas A&M bonfire brings out thousands |newspaper=The Badger Herald |url=http://badgerherald.com/news/2002/11/26/offcampus_texas_a_m_.php |date=November 26, 2002 |access-date=March 3, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071110225606/http://badgerherald.com/news/2002/11/26/offcampus_texas_a_m_.php |archive-date=November 10, 2007 |df=mdy }}</ref> Known as Student Bonfire, the off-campus event draws between 8,000 and 15,000 fans.<ref name="windle">{{Cite news|last=Moghe |first=Sonia |title=Off-campus bonfire |newspaper=The Battalion |url=http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2005/11/17/News/OffCampus.Bonfire-1108094.shtml |date=November 17, 2005 |access-date=March 3, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926225829/http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2005/11/17/News/OffCampus.Bonfire-1108094.shtml |archive-date=September 26, 2007 |df=mdy }}</ref> Student Bonfire utilizes many changes for safety purposes, and has only recorded two serious injuries since its inception, neither life-threatening. The newly designed stack was designed by a professional engineer (a former student) and features a center pole with 4 perimeter poles connected via "windle-sticks". In the new design, the height is capped at 45 feet (not including the outhouse), and all the logs touch the ground. Alcohol is strictly prohibited from all student bonfire functions as it was revealed that a number of the students working on the collapsed bonfire in 1999 had [[blood alcohol content|BACs]] higher than the legal driving limit.

[[File:Aggie Band.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The [[Fightin' Texas Aggie Band]] marches in TAM formation during halftime at [[Kyle Field]].]]


===Fightin' Texas Aggie Band===
===Fightin' Texas Aggie Band===
{{Main|Fightin' Texas Aggie Band}}
{{Main|Fightin' Texas Aggie Band}}
[[File:Aggie Band.jpg|right|thumb|The [[Fightin' Texas Aggie Band]] marches in TAM formation during halftime at [[Kyle Field]].]]
The Fightin' Texas Aggie Band (also known as The Noble Men of Kyle or the Aggie Band) is the official [[marching band]] of [[Texas A&M University]]. Composed of over 400&nbsp;men and women from the school's [[Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets|Corps of Cadets]],<ref name="BQ composition">{{Cite web|title=The Fightin' Texas Aggie Band |publisher=AggieAthletics.com|url=http://www.aggieathletics.com/index2.php?&CAT=TRD&pageID=225|access-date=June 13, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071129233213/http://www.aggieathletics.com/index2.php?&CAT=TRD&pageID=225 |archive-date = November 29, 2007}}</ref> it is the largest [[military band|military marching band]] in the world. The complex straight-line maneuvers, performed exclusively to [[American march music|traditional marches]], are so complicated and precise that computer marching simulations say they cannot be performed.<ref name="vid">{{Cite web| publisher=The Former Students Association|title= Traditions|url= http://www.aggieband.org/traditions.wmv|format=WMV|access-date=June 13, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061206144125/http://www.aggieband.org/traditions.wmv |archive-date = December 6, 2006}}</ref>
The Fightin' Texas Aggie Band (also known as The Noble Men of Kyle or the Aggie Band) is the official [[marching band]] of [[Texas A&M University]]. Composed of over 400&nbsp;men and women from the school's [[Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets|Corps of Cadets]],<ref name="BQ composition">{{Cite web|title=The Fightin' Texas Aggie Band |publisher=AggieAthletics.com|url=http://www.aggieathletics.com/index2.php?&CAT=TRD&pageID=225|access-date=June 13, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071129233213/http://www.aggieathletics.com/index2.php?&CAT=TRD&pageID=225 |archive-date = November 29, 2007}}</ref> it is the largest [[military band|military marching band]] in the world. The complex straight-line maneuvers, performed exclusively to [[American march music|traditional marches]], are so complicated and precise that computer marching simulations say they cannot be performed.<ref name="vid">{{Cite web| publisher=The Former Students Association|title= Traditions|url= http://www.aggieband.org/traditions.wmv|format=WMV|access-date=June 13, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061206144125/http://www.aggieband.org/traditions.wmv |archive-date = December 6, 2006}}</ref>


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===Non-conference opponents===
===Non-conference opponents===
Announced schedules as of June 20, 2023.<ref name="nonconfopp">{{cite web| title=Texas A&M Aggies Football Future Schedules|publisher=FBSchedules.com| url=https://fbschedules.com/ncaa/texas-am/|access-date=June 20, 2023}}</ref>
Announced schedules as of December 12, 2024.<ref name="nonconfopp">{{cite web| title=Texas A&M Aggies Football Future Schedules|publisher=FBSchedules.com| url=https://fbschedules.com/ncaa/texas-am/|access-date=June 20, 2023}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
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|-
|-
| [[New Mexico State Aggies football|New Mexico State]]
| [[New Mexico State Aggies football|New Mexico State]]
| [[Tarleton State Texans football|Tarleton State]]
| [[Samford Bulldogs football|Samford]]
|
|
| [[Arkansas State Red Wolves football|Arkansas State]]
| [[Arkansas State Red Wolves football|Arkansas State]]

Latest revision as of 23:12, 12 December 2024

Texas A&M Aggies football
2024 Texas A&M Aggies football team
First season1894; 130 years ago
Athletic directorTrev Alberts
Head coachMike Elko
1st season, 8–4 (.667)
StadiumKyle Field
(capacity: 102,733)
Year built1927
Field surfaceBermudagrass (1996–present)
AstroTurf (1970–1995)
Grass (1927–1969)
LocationCollege Station, Texas
NCAA divisionDivision I FBS
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
DivisionWest
Past conferencesBig 12 Conference
(1996–2011)
Southwest Conference
(1915–1996)
All-time record785–505–48 (.605)
Bowl record20–23 (.465)
Claimed national titles3 (1919, 1927, 1939)
Conference titles18 (17 SWC, 1 Big 12)
Division titles3 (1997, 1998, 2010)
RivalriesArkansas (rivalry)
LSU (rivalry)
Texas (rivalry)
Heisman winnersJohn David Crow – 1957
Johnny Manziel – 2012
Consensus All-Americans33
Current uniform
ColorsMaroon and white[1]
   
Fight songAggie War Hymn
MascotReveille
Marching bandFightin' Texas Aggie Band
OutfitterAdidas
Website12thman.com

The Texas A&M Aggies football program represents Texas A&M University in the sport of American football. The Aggies compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC).[2] Texas A&M football claims three national titles and 18 conference titles. The team plays all home games at Kyle Field, a 102,733-person capacity outdoor stadium on the university campus.

History

Early history (1894–1964)

1901 Aggies players

Texas A&M first fielded a football team in 1894, under the direction of head coach F. Dudley Perkins.[3] The team compiled a 1–1 record.[3] W. A. Murray served as A&M's head coach from 1899 to 1901, compiling a record of 7–8–1.[4] From 1902 to 1904, J. E. Platt served as A&M's head coach, his teams compiling a record of 18–5–3.[4] From 1909 to 1914, A&M compiled a 38–8–4 record under head coach Charley Moran.[5] Moran's 1909 team finished undefeated, and all but one of Moran's other seasons the Aggies only lost one game each year.[4] Under head coach Edwin Harlan, the Aggies compiled a record of 12–5 in two seasons and joined the Southwest Conference.[6][7]

Coach Bible

Dana X. Bible became Texas A&M's head coach in 1919, leaving LSU, and under his tutelage the Aggies compiled a record of 72–19–9 in ten seasons.[8] Bible's 1919 Texas A&M Aggies football team, which was undefeated, untied, and outscored its opposition 275–0, was retroactively named a national champion by the Billingsley Report and the National Championship Foundation. In the 1922 Dixie Classic, Bible made his most visible and lasting impression in his A&M career when he began the Twelfth Man Tradition. Bible had a roster of only eighteen players, who had to play both offense and defense against the heavily favored Centre College. He lost three players to injuries early in the game, but the Aggies took the lead. Fearing more injuries and a possibility of having to forfeit the game for lack of men, Bible called upon a reserve halfback, E. King Gill, who was in the press box running stats for the team, to suit up and be ready if needed. The Aggies wouldn't need Gill's help to win, but since then A&M students stand throughout football games to show their willingness to play if needed.[9] Bible departed the Aggies after the 1928 season to accept the Nebraska head coaching position.[9] After Bible's departure, A&M brought in Matty Bell from TCU to lead the Aggies football program.[10] Under Bell's tutelage, the Aggies compiled a record of 24–21–3.[10] However, the Aggies did not play up to the standards set by Dana Bible's tenure, and Bell left for SMU after five seasons.[10] Homer Norton was hired away from Centenary to replace Bell in 1934.[11] A&M enjoyed great successes under Norton. The 1939 Texas A&M team went 11–0, beating Tulane in the Sugar Bowl, and was named a national champion.[12] Norton's record at Texas A&M was 82–53–9, giving him the second most wins of any coach in Texas A&M Aggies football history.[12] Among the many stars that Norton developed were John Kimbrough and Joe Routt.[11] Norton was fired in 1947 when his team went 3–6–1 and lost to archrival University of Texas for the eighth straight year.[13]

In December 1947, Harry Stiteler was promoted from running backs coach to head coach for the Texas A&M football team following the firing of Homer Norton.[14] In Stiteler's first season as head coach, the Aggies failed to win a game, accumulating a record of 0–9–1.[15] For the 1949 season, the Aggies won only one game and had a record of 1–8–1.[16] Despite the poor record in his first two seasons, Stiteler developed a reputation as a good recruiter. In 1950, Stiteler turned the program around with a 7–4 record, including impressive wins over Arkansas (42–13) and SMU (25–20) and a 40–20 win over Georgia in the Presidential Cup Bowl at Baltimore.[17] The 1950 team had the best record of any Texas A&M football team in the first decade after World War II (1945–1954).[18] In December 1950, Stiteler reported that he had been attacked and beaten by a stranger near the Shamrock Hotel in Houston, where Stiteler had been scheduled to address a group of Texas A&M alumni.[19] Stiteler tried to downplay the incident, but the press reported Stiteler declined to provide details to the police and that there were conflicting versions as to what had happened. The San Antonio Light reported the incident under a banner headline, "MYSTERY SHROUDS STITELER BEATING."[20] In March 1951, Stiteler admitted that he had misrepresented the facts concerning the assault. He reported that he had known his attacker and "the affair was a personal one."[19] Embarrassed, Stiteler submitted his letter of resignation to the President of Texas A&M upon revealing the true facts concerning "my affair in Houston."[19] Following the resignation, the members of the football team issued a statement in support of their former coach:

"We believe that whatever happened to Mr. Stiteler was a personal matter and it should have remained that. A lot of us boys came to A. and M. in 1948 not because A. and M. had won games but simply because of Harry Stiteler and his character. He has never ceased to set us that same example in the years we have played and worked for him."[21]

In three years as the head coach at Texas A&M, Stiteler compiled a record of 8–21–2.[22] Raymond George, previously USC's defensive line coach, was hired as the 17th head coach of the Texas A&M Aggies after the Stiteler scandal.[23] He served as head coach for three seasons, from 1951 to 1953, during which time the Aggies produced a total record of 12–14–4.[24][25] Among A&M's notable wins during this time period were victories over Bud Wilkinson's Oklahoma Sooners, Henry Russell Sanders' UCLA Bruins and Bear Bryant's Kentucky Wildcats. George resigned as the Aggies head coach following the 1953 season.[23] In 1994 as a result of the NCAA findings of major violations of NCAA rules in this case, Texas A&M became one of three universities to receive as many as seven public penalties since 1952. Between 1956 and 1977, the university was placed on probation three times and publicly reprimanded once for major violations of NCAA rules. This era began a series of NCAA rules violations that continued to 2020.[26]

Legendary coach Bear Bryant arrived in College Station after successful head coaching tenures at Maryland and Kentucky, signing a contract worth $15,000 per year.[27] The Aggies suffered through a grueling 1–9 record in Bryant's first season, which began with the infamous training camp in Junction, Texas, during which time many Aggie football players quit the team.[28] The "survivors" were given the name "Junction Boys."[28] Two years later, Bryant led the team to the Southwest Conference championship, despite being on probation,[29] with a 34–21 victory over Texas in Austin.[30] The following year, star running back John David Crow won the Heisman Trophy and the Aggies were in title contention until they lost to Rice Owls.[31][32] Bryant attempted to integrate the all-white Texas A&M squad. "We'll be the last football team in the Southwest Conference to integrate," he was told by a Texas A&M official. "Well," Bryant replied, "then that's where we're going to finish in football."[33] After the 1957 season, having compiled an overall 25–14–2 record at A&M, Bryant left for Alabama, his alma mater, where he would cement his legacy as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, college football coach of all time.[34]

A&M next turned to Iowa State head coach Jim Myers for its head coaching position.[35] Under Myers, the Aggies struggled mightily, compiling a 12–24–4 record.[36] The Aggies failed to win more than four games in a single season. The fallout that ensued from fans, boosters and the administration led Myers to join Tom Landry's Dallas Cowboys staff as an assistant coach.[35] Hank Foldberg was hired as the Aggies head coach after Myers' departure, and brought with him high hopes that Aggie success would return.[37] However, the struggles remained, in the form of a 6–23–1 record in three seasons.[38] Foldberg was replaced after the 1964 season.

Gene Stallings era (1965–1971)

Coach Stallings

Fresh off helping Bear Bryant and Alabama win the 1964 national title as an assistant coach, Gene Stallings, one of the "Junction Boys", was named the head coach of his alma mater at the age of 29.[39] The Aggies struggles persisted under Stallings. Texas A&M compiled a record of 27–45–1 in Stallings' seven seasons.[40] However, the Aggies won the Southwest Conference in 1967, Stallings' only winning season at A&M.[41] At the end of that season, A&M beat Alabama in the Cotton Bowl.[41] During Stallings' tenure, the Aggies won the Southwest Conference in 1967, Stallings' only winning season at A&M. At the end of that season Stallings led Texas A&M to a victory over Alabama and mentor Bear Bryant in the Cotton Bowl, a victory where Coach Bryant carried Coach Stallings off the field.[42][43] With the university only recently going co-ed, its military focus and the ongoing war in Vietnam, A&M struggled to recruit against its Southwest Conference rivals. He was fired at A&M following the 1971 season,[44] but, like his mentor Bryant, would go on to become Alabama's head coach in the 1990s and solidify a Hall of Fame career there, winning a national championship in 1992.[39][45][46]

Emory Bellard era (1972–1978)

Texas offensive coordinator Emory Bellard became the Aggies' head coach in 1972 and brought with him the wishbone offense.[47] In his seven years at Texas A&M, he finished with a record of 48–27 and three top-15 finishes.[48] Acting as his own offensive coordinator, Bellard hired former high school football coaches to assist him as backfield coaches.[48] Bellard's first two seasons at Texas A&M were difficult, as his Aggies finished 3–8 and 5–6, respectively.[48] In 1974, with a pair of his own recruiting classes suited to run the wishbone formation, the Aggies went 8–3,[49] then followed it up with two 10–2 seasons,[50][51] including a pair of wins over Texas and three consecutive bowl game appearances. After starting the 1978 season 4–0, Bellard resigned mid-season after two consecutive losses: 33–0 to Houston and 24–6 to Baylor.[52]

Tom Wilson era (1978–1981)

Tom Wilson was promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach of the Aggies following Bellard's resignation.[53] The Aggies enjoyed moderate success under Wilson's tutelage, compiling a record of 21–19 and an Independence Bowl victory in 1981.[54] However, the mediocrity did not sit well with the administration, and Wilson was fired after the 1981 season.[55]

Jackie Sherrill era (1982–1988)

On January 19, 1982, Jackie Sherrill was hired away from Pittsburgh by A&M as the replacement for Tom Wilson, signing a record six-year contract over $1.7 million.[56] Sherrill was the head coach of the Texas A&M Aggies for seven seasons, from 1982 to 1988.[57] While head coach at A&M, Sherrill started the tradition of the "12th Man Kickoff Team",[58] this tradition is still observed by A&M today only in a significantly scaled back form, including a single walk-on rather than an entire return team unit.[59] In Sherrill's seven seasons, A&M compiled a 52–28–1 record.[57] A&M also won three consecutive Southwest Conference championships during Sherrill's tenure, in 1985, 1986 and 1987.[57] As a result, the Aggies played in the Cotton Bowl Classic at the end of each season, defeating Auburn 36–16 on January 1, 1986[60] and Notre Dame 35–10 on January 1, 1988,[61] and losing to Ohio State 28–12 on January 1, 1987.[62] He is also one of the few coaches to leave Texas A&M with a winning record against the Longhorns, winning his last five against Texas after losing his first two. However, he only won two out of seven games versus Texas A&M's other conference rival, Arkansas, in that same time span. In 1988, Texas A&M was put under probation by the NCAA for a period of two years.[63] Violations included improper employment, extra benefits, unethical conduct and lack of institutional control.[64][65] Sherrill was not personally found guilty of any infractions. However, in December 1988, Sherrill resigned.[66]

R. C. Slocum era (1989–2002)

Coach Slocum

In December 1988, R.C. Slocum was promoted from defensive coordinator and named head coach of the Aggies.[67] During Slocum's 14 years as head coach, the Aggies compiled a record of 123–47–2, making Slocum the winningest coach in Texas A&M history.[67] During his career, Slocum never had a losing season and won four conference championships, including the Big 12 (the Southwest Conference was renamed in 1996) title in 1998 and two Big 12 South Championships, 1997 1998.[68] Additionally, he led the Aggies to become the first school in the Southwest Conference history to post three consecutive perfect conference seasons and actually went four consecutive seasons without a conference loss. Slocum reached 100 wins faster than any other active coach.

A&M's Kyle Field become one of the hardest places for opponents to play during Slocum's tenure, losing only 12 games at home in 14 years. For over a year, A&M held the longest home-winning streak in the nation, losing in 1989 and not again until late in 1995. In the 1990s, A&M lost only four times at Kyle Field. Slocum was named SWC Coach of the Year three times during his tenure as head coach. A&M's "Wrecking Crew" defense led the Southwest Conference in four statistical categories from 1991 through 1993 and led the nation in total defense in 1991. Over 50 Texas A&M players were drafted into the NFL during Slocum's career as head coach.[69]

Slocum inherited an Aggie football program that had just finished 7–5 and under severe NCAA sanctions, and cleaned it up quickly. He was quoted in 2002 as saying "I wouldn't trade winning another game or two for my reputation as a person. I've said from day one I'm going to do things the way I think they should be done. There were those who said, `If you don't cheat, you're pretty naive. You can't win that way.' Well, we're going to find out. That's the way we're going to do it. I can walk away and look myself in the mirror and say, 'We did it the right way.'[70] After 14 years as head coach of the Aggies, Slocum was asked to resign in 2002 following only the second non-winning season of his career.[67] He immediately assumed a position as special adviser to Texas A&M president Robert Gates.[71]

Dennis Franchione era (2003–2007)

Coach Francione

A&M turned to Alabama head coach Dennis Franchione to replace the ousted Slocum.[72] Franchione brought the majority of his coaching staff from the Crimson Tide for the 2003 season. Franchione signed a contract that was set to pay him a yearly salary of $1.7 million through 2010.[73]

The Aggies finished the 2003 season with a 4–8 record, including a nationally televised 77–0 loss to Oklahoma, the worst loss in A&M's history.[74] The season also marked the first losing season for the Aggies after 21 years. In the 2004 season, Franchione attempted the rebuilding process as the team improved to a 7–5 record, and a 5–3 record in conference play, including a 35–34 overtime loss to unranked Baylor, ending a 13-game winning streak the Aggies had over Baylor and a 32–25 overtime win over the then No. 25 Texas Tech at Kyle Field, snapping a 3-game skid to the Red Raiders.[75] The Aggies ended up advancing to the Cotton Bowl Classic to play No. 17 Tennessee, but lost 38–7.[76] Following the bowl game, A&M officials extended Franchione's contract through 2012 and raised his salary to $2 million.[73] In June 2005, prior to the 2005 season, Franchione donated $1 million to the A&M athletic department. The donation went toward the construction of an indoor practice facility, which is now located adjacent to Kyle Field.[77]

In the 2005 season, Franchione's Aggies, who were ranked 17th in the preseason AP Poll, regressed to a 5–6 record.[78] The 2005 Aggie defense ranked 107th nationally (out of 119 NCAA Division I-A teams) and allowed 443.8 yards per game. This prompted Franchione to dismiss defensive coordinator Carl Torbush. Franchione then hired former Western Michigan head coach Gary Darnell to replace Torbush.[79] In the 2006 season, the Aggies again rebounded under Franchione, posting a 9–3 regular season record that included Franchione's first win over rival Texas.[80] The 9–3 record also marked the most wins for A&M since 1998. However, in that season's Oklahoma game, which ESPN's College GameDay visited, Franchione was criticized by fans for making a field goal call with 3:28 left in the game. The 18th-ranked Sooners ended up defeating the 21st-ranked Aggies, 17–16.[73] In the postseason, the Aggies faced 20th-ranked California in the Holiday Bowl and lost 45–10.[81]

During the 2007 season, Franchione was discovered selling a secret email newsletter, which violated two NCAA rules and one of the Big 12's "Principles and Standards of Sportsmanship".[82] After the Aggies' 34–17 loss to unranked Miami in September 2007, Franchione's coaching abilities were questioned.[83][84][85][86][87][88] Several news outlets reported that Franchione would not return for the 2008 season. After Franchione led the Aggies to a 38–30 victory over 13th-ranked Texas, he announced his resignation.[89] Defensive coordinator Gary Darnell was named the interim head coach. Darnell led the Aggies to a 24–17 defeat at the hands of Penn State in the Alamo Bowl.[90]

Mike Sherman era (2008–2011)

Coach Sherman

Mike Sherman was hired away from his post as offensive coordinator of the NFL's Houston Texans to replace Franchione.[91] Sherman signed a 7-year contract that at the time paid him $1.8 million annually.[92] Sherman abandoned the zone read option offense run by Franchione and his coaching staff, and installed a pro-style system.[93][94] A&M used a balanced offense run primarily out of the pro-style formations.[95][96] Sherman's quarterbacks at A&M were Stephen McGee and Ryan Tannehill, both of whom would go on to be drafted into the NFL.[97]

After two straight losing seasons, the Aggies started the 2010 season 3–3 but won their final six games and earn a share of the Big 12 South Division title.[98] No. 18 Texas A&M went on to play No. 11 LSU in the Cotton Bowl. Texas A&M lost 41–24 to end the season at 9–4.[99][100] After the 2010 season, A&M signed Sherman a contract extension through the 2015 season.[101] His salary was raised to $2.2 million.[102]

In 2011, the Aggies began as a top 10 ranked team, but fell out of the polls after losing four games, three of which had double-digit half-time leads.[103] Three of those four losses were to teams later ranked among the top ten in the nation. On November 12, 2011, Texas A&M lost 53–50 after 4 overtimes to the Kansas State University, the most overtimes in program history until a record 7-overtime 74–72 victory over Louisiana State University on November 24, 2018.[104] On November 19, 2011, the Aggies defeated Kansas 61–7 and became bowl-eligible for a third straight season.[105] Five days later, on November 24, 2011, they would lose at home to Texas by a score of 27–25 on a last-second field goal,[106] in what would be the last game of the rivalry for the foreseeable future, as the Aggies were to join the SEC beginning in 2012.[107] It was the Aggies' sixth loss of the season, and the fifth in which they held a second-half lead of two or more scores.[103] Sherman was fired by Texas A&M on December 1, 2011.[108] The Aggies compiled a record of 25–25 during Sherman's four-year tenure.[109]

Kevin Sumlin era (2012–2017)

Coach Sumlin

On December 13, 2011, A&M hired Houston head coach Kevin Sumlin as the program's 28th head football coach.[110] Sumlin was the first African American head coach in Texas A&M football history.[111] In 2012, Sumlin led the Aggies to an 11–2 record, including victories over then-No. 1 Alabama, and No. 11 Oklahoma in the AT&T Cotton Bowl.[112] Starting quarterback Johnny Manziel won the Heisman Trophy.[113] The Aggies finished the 2012 season ranked in the top 5 of both the Coaches Poll and the AP Poll.[114] Texas A&M also led the SEC in total offense, total scoring offense, total rushing yds, and led the nation in third down conversion percentage.[115] Kevin Sumlin and the Texas A&M Aggies became the first SEC team in history to amass over 7,000 yds in total offense.[116] Sumlin's 2013 Aggies, led by Manziel, finished with a 9–4 record, which included a victory over Duke in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.[117][118] On November 30, 2013, A&M signed Sumlin to a six-year, $30 million contract extension.[119][120]

For the 2014 season, the Aggies came out strong to begin the season, winning their first 5 games before stumbling mid-season to three top 10-ranked teams, including a 59–0 loss to No. 7 ranked Alabama.[121] The Aggies finished the season 8–5 overall and 3–5 in SEC play.[122] With the Liberty Bowl victory over West Virginia, the Aggies won four straight bowl games for the first time in program history. After the season, which was marred by defensive struggles,[123] Sumlin dismissed his defensive coordinator, Mark Snyder,[124] and replaced him with John Chavis.[125] In 2015, A&M again finished 8–5.[126] The season was marked by a strong start with struggles to close the season. A&M finished the season with a loss to Louisville in the Music City Bowl.[127]

Sumlin led the Aggies to a third consecutive 8–5 mark in 2016.[128] The season was again marked a strong start with another late-season collapse, as A&M began the season 6–0, but losing four of its final five games. Texas A&M finished the 2016 season with a loss to Kansas State in the Texas Bowl.[129] Sumlin started off the 2017 season by surrendering a 34-point lead to UCLA. Sumlin was fired from the position on November 26, 2017, after his team finished 7–5.[130] Sumlin finished 51–26 at A&M and with a 25–23 record in the SEC.[131] Despite A&M football's struggles during the Sumlin era, the program was recognized by Forbes in August 2018 as the most valuable in the country, based on average revenue and profit figures from the 2014–16 seasons.[132]

Jimbo Fisher era (2018–2023)

Coach Fisher

On December 4, 2017, Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher was formally introduced as the Aggies head coach.[133] A splashy hire, Fisher arrived in College Station after a very successful eight-year run at FSU, leading the Seminoles to three Atlantic Coast Conference championships, six ten-win seasons, the 2013 national championship and coached Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Jameis Winston.[134] A&M signed Fisher to a 10-year contract worth a total base salary of $75 million, the most lucrative contract in terms of guaranteed money signed by a newly hired head coach in college football history.[135]

In 2018, Fisher led the Aggies to a 9–4 record. The season included a notable seven-overtime victory over then-No. 7 LSU. The combined 146 points scored during the game broke the NCAA FBS record for the most points scored in a game, the most points scored in a losing effort (72 by LSU), and tied the record for the most overtimes along with multiple school records for both sides.[136] In 2019, Coach Fisher posted a 4–4 conference record, good for fourth in the Southeastern Conference West division. The Aggies wound up with an 8–5 overall win-loss record.[137] On December 27, 2019, Texas A&M defeated #25 Oklahoma State 24–21 at the "Academy Sports + Outdoors Bowl", later titled the Texas Bowl.[138]

The Aggies improved substantially in 2020 despite the challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. They finished the season with an 8–1 SEC record, a 9–1 overall result, and a #5 national ranking.[139] Texas A&M faced the #13 North Carolina Tar Heels football team at the 2021 Orange Bowl on January 2, 2021. The Aggies won handily 41–27. The victory produced a combined 3–0 Orange Bowl record for Fisher following his previous successful outings with the Florida State Seminoles football team at the 2013 and 2016 Orange Bowls.[140] In January 2021, following the Orange Bowl victory, A&M gave Fisher a new ten-year contract worth $95 million fully guaranteed excluding incentives.[141] Texas A&M slipped in 2021. Despite an upset 41–38 win over the #1 Alabama Crimson Tide football team on October 9, 2021, and a 20–3 rout of the Auburn Tigers football team on November 6, 2021,[142] the Aggies were unable to win consistently. They failed to qualify for a 2021-22 bowl game. Ultimately, Fisher steered the team to a 4–4 SEC conference standing and 8–4 overall record.[143] After the 2021 season, Fisher lost his defensive coordinator Mike Elko, who took the Duke head coaching job.[144][145][146]

The Aggies would enter the 2022 with high expectations, ranked #6 in the country.[147][148][149] They lost six of their first nine games, including a shocking upset loss to unranked Appalachian State in the Aggies' second game.[150] The Aggies suffered through a six-game losing streak during the season. 2022 marked the first time the Aggies had lost six consecutive games since the 1972 season.[151] The team finished with a 5–7 mark, missing a bowl game, but ending the season on a positive note with an upset 38–23 victory over #5 LSU.[152][153] In response to the offensive struggles and overall disappointment with the 2022 season, Fisher gave up play-calling duties and hired former Louisville and Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino as the team's offensive coordinator.[154][155] Fisher was fired as Aggies head coach on November 12, 2023, after having a 6–4 record through 10 games in the 2023 season.[156][157] His contract was bought out for $77.5 million, more than three times the largest buyout in college football history.[158] Fisher left College Station with a 45–25 overall record with a 27–21 record in SEC play.[159][160] Defensive line coach Elijah Robinson was named interim head coach for the rest of the 2023 season.[161][162]

Mike Elko era (2024–present)

On November 26, 2023, Duke head coach Mike Elko was officially named as the new Aggies head coach.[163] Elko had prior ties to Texas A&M, serving as Jimbo Fisher's defensive coordinator from 2018 to 2021.[164][165] Elko signed a six-year contract with A&M worth $7 million annually excluding incentives.[166] Elko's tenure with the Aggies started positively, as through his first 7 games as head coach, the Aggies compiled a 6–1 record, 4–0 against SEC foes, and a 41–10 rout of the then 9th ranked Missouri Tigers at home.[167]

Conference affiliations

Championships

National championships

Texas A&M has been selected national champions in three seasons from NCAA-designated major selectors, including the AP Poll national championship in 1939.[168]: 111–112  Texas A&M claims all three championships.[169]: 45–47 

Season Coach Selectors Record Bowl Final AP Final Coaches
1919 Dana X. Bible Billingsley, National Championship Foundation 10–0
1927 Sagarin, Sagarin ELO-Chess 8–0–1
1939 Homer H. Norton Associated Press, Berryman, Billingsley, Boand, CFRA, DeVold, Dunkel, Helms, Houlgate, NCF, Poling, Sagarin, Williamson 11–0 Won Sugar No. 1
  • The 1919 team finished 10–0–0 and was not scored upon, earning a retroactive national title by ten selectors, including the Billingsley Report and National Championship Foundation. Other systems retroactively award the 1919 National Championship to either Notre Dame or Harvard.[170][171]
  • The 1927 team finished 8–0–1, with a tie against TCU in Fort Worth, Texas, earning a retroactive national title awarded by the Sagarin Rating and the Sagarin ELO-Chess.
  • In 1939, the undefeated Aggies (11–0) were voted No. 1 by the AP Poll shortly after its inception along with No. 1 in 8 of the 12 other major polls. Texas A&M defeated the No. 5 Tulane Green Wave in the 1940 Sugar Bowl.

Conference championships

The Aggies have won eighteen conference championships, with seventeen occurring in the Southwest Conference and the last being in the Big 12 Conference.[172]

Former head coach R.C. Slocum gives a gig 'em with his Big 12 Championship ring.
Season Conference Coach Overall record Conference record
1917 Southwest Conference Dana X. Bible 8–0 2–0
1919 10–0 4–0
1921 6–1–2 3–0–2
1925 7–1–1 4–1
1927 8–0–1 4–0–1
1939 Homer H. Norton 11–0 6–0
1940 9–1 5–1
1941 9–2 5–1
1956 Paul "Bear" Bryant 9–0–1 6–0
1967 Gene Stallings 7–4–1 6–1
1975 Emory Bellard 10–2 6–2
1985 Jackie Sherrill 10–2 7–1
1986 9–3 7–1
1987 10–2 7–1
1991 R. C. Slocum 10–2 8–0
1992 12–1 7–0
1993 10–2 7–0
1998 Big 12 11–3 7–1

† Co-champions

Division championships

The Aggies were previously members of the Big 12 South between its inception in 1996 and the dissolution of conference divisions within the Big 12 in 2011. The Aggies joined the SEC as members of the SEC West starting in 2012.

Season Division Opponent CG result
1997 Big 12 South Nebraska L 15–54
1998 Kansas State W 36–33
2010 N/A (lost tiebreaker to Oklahoma)

† Co-champions

Bowl games

Texas A&M has participated in 42 bowl games.[173] The Aggies have a bowl record of 20–22 (.476). During their 81 years in the Southwest Conference, the Aggies went 12–10 (.545) in bowl games, winning their AP National Championship in 1939. During their 16 years in the Big 12 Conference, the Aggies went 2–9 (.182) in bowl games. Since joining the Southeastern Conference in 2012, the Aggies have gone 6–3 (.667) in bowl games.[174]

Season Coach Bowl Opponent Result
1921 Dana X. Bible Dixie Classic Centre W 22–14
1939 Homer H. Norton Sugar Bowl Tulane W 14–13
1940 Homer H. Norton Cotton Bowl Classic Fordham W 13–12
1941 Homer H. Norton Cotton Bowl Classic Alabama L 21–29
1943 Homer H. Norton Orange Bowl LSU L 14–19
1950 Harry Stiteler Presidential Cup Bowl Georgia W 40–20
1957 Bear Bryant Gator Bowl Tennessee L 0–3
1967 Gene Stallings Cotton Bowl Classic Alabama W 20–16
1975 Emory Bellard Liberty Bowl Southern California L 0–20
1976 Emory Bellard Sun Bowl Florida W 37–14
1977 Emory Bellard Bluebonnet Bowl Southern California L 28–47
1978 Tom Wilson Hall of Fame Classic Iowa State W 28–12
1981 Tom Wilson Independence Bowl Oklahoma State W 33–16
1985 Jackie Sherrill Cotton Bowl Classic Auburn W 36–16
1986 Jackie Sherrill Cotton Bowl Classic Ohio State L 12–28
1987 Jackie Sherrill Cotton Bowl Classic Notre Dame W 35–10
1989 R. C. Slocum John Hancock Bowl Pittsburgh L 28–31
1990 R. C. Slocum Holiday Bowl BYU W 65–14
1991 R. C. Slocum Cotton Bowl Classic Florida State L 2–10
1992 R. C. Slocum Cotton Bowl Classic Notre Dame L 3–28
1993 R. C. Slocum Cotton Bowl Classic Notre Dame L 21–24
1995 R. C. Slocum Alamo Bowl Michigan W 22–20
1997 R. C. Slocum Cotton Bowl Classic UCLA L 23–29
1998 R. C. Slocum Sugar Bowl Ohio State L 14–24
1999 R. C. Slocum Alamo Bowl Penn State L 0–24
2000 R. C. Slocum Independence Bowl Mississippi State L 41–43
2001 R. C. Slocum Galleryfurniture.com Bowl TCU W 28–9
2004 Dennis Franchione Cotton Bowl Classic Tennessee L 7–38
2006 Dennis Franchione Holiday Bowl California L 10–45
2007 Gary Darnell (interim) Alamo Bowl Penn State L 17–24
2009 Mike Sherman Independence Bowl Georgia L 20–44
2010 Mike Sherman Cotton Bowl Classic LSU L 24–41
2011 Tim DeRuyter (interim) Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas Northwestern W 33–22
2012 Kevin Sumlin Cotton Bowl Classic Oklahoma W 41–13
2013 Kevin Sumlin Chick-fil-A Bowl Duke W 52–48
2014 Kevin Sumlin Liberty Bowl West Virginia W 45–37
2015 Kevin Sumlin Music City Bowl Louisville L 21–27
2016 Kevin Sumlin Texas Bowl Kansas State L 28–33
2017 Jeff Banks (interim) Belk Bowl Wake Forest L 52–55
2018 Jimbo Fisher Gator Bowl NC State W 52–13
2019 Jimbo Fisher Texas Bowl Oklahoma State W 24–21
2020 Jimbo Fisher Orange Bowl North Carolina W 41–27
2023 Elijah Robinson (interim) Texas Bowl Oklahoma State L 23–31

Rivalries

LSU

Texas A&M and LSU were both members of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association from 1903 to 1908 and 1912–1914 and are both members of the SEC. The Aggies first played the Tigers in College Station in 1899, winning 52–0. The Tigers are the Aggies' seventh-oldest collegiate-football rival. Last played in 1995, the Aggies and Tigers then faced off in the 2011 Cotton Bowl Classic. The series resumed in 2012, when the Aggies joined the SEC. Starting in 2014, the Aggies became LSU's final regular season opponent. LSU leads the series 35–23–3 through the 2022 season.[175]

Over the life of the series, the Aggies have claimed the largest margin of victory with a 63–9 final score in 1914 (the Aggies also have the next two largest margins of victory with the 52–0 win in 1899 and 47–0 win in 1922). The Aggies have shut-out the Tigers 7 times (including the Aggies' non-university recognized National Championship Season of 1917 when they did not surrender a point during 8 games, and beat the Tigers 27–0). The Tigers have shut-out the Aggies 9 times (including the Tigers' non-university recognized National Championship season of 1908, when they beat the Aggies 26–0, and the Tigers' non-university recognized National Championship season of 1962, when they beat the Aggies 21–0). Add to those totals the game in which the Aggies and Tigers shut each other out 0–0 in 1920. The Tigers hold the series' longest winning streak of 7 games from 2011 to 2017. The 1960 winning streak was part of a 10-game unbeaten streak for the Tigers from 1960 to 1969 which included a 7–7 tie in 1966. From 1945 to 1973 was the most dominant span by either team in the series history. LSU was 17–3–1 vs Texas A&M during this span.[175]

Arkansas

The Aggies first played the Razorbacks in 1903. From 1934 to 1991, the two teams played annually as Southwest Conference members. In 1991, however, Arkansas left the Southwest Conference to join the Southeastern Conference. Arkansas leads the all-time series 42–36–3 through the 2024 season.[176]

On March 10, 2008, officials from both schools announced the revival of the series, which recommenced on October 3, 2009. The game is played at Cowboys Stadium, which was initially expected to hold about 80,000 fans. The game is dubbed "The Southwest Classic", which pays homage to both schools' past relationship to the Southwest Conference. The initial agreement between the two schools allows the game to be played for at least 10 years, followed by five consecutive four-year rollover options, allowing the game to be played for a total of 30 consecutive seasons.[177][178][179]

Once the Aggies joined the SEC, the agreement with Cowboys Stadium came to an end because the SEC does not allow its members to entertain potential recruits at neutral-site games. However, the SEC has removed this recruiting rule, and the Aggies and Razorbacks will again move the rivalry to AT&T Stadium in 2014. (cf. Georgia and Florida, which play at a neutral site, do not intend to entertain recruits at that site.) The agreement is expected to last at least 11 seasons, or through the 2024 football season.

Over the life of the series, the Aggies have shut out the Razorbacks 10 times, and been shut out 9 times. The Aggies hold the largest margin of victory with a 58–10 win in College Station on September 29, 2012 (the Aggies also hold the second-largest margin of victory with a 41–0 win in College Station in 1942). The Razorbacks and Aggies are tied for the longest winning streak at 9, the Razorbacks from 1958 to 1966, and the Aggies from 2012 to 2020.

Texas

2006 Lone Star Showdown football game

The Texas-Texas A&M rivalry dates back to 1894. It is the longest-running rivalry for both teams. It ranks as the third most-played rivalry in Division I-A college football,[180] and the most-played intrastate rivalry. Most of the series' lopsided victories occurred prior to A&M's transition from an all-male and all-white military school, and the rivalry has been fairly even since. Until the rivalry ended in 2012, the two teams played each other every year since 1894 with the exception of six seasons [1895 (when the Aggies did not field a team), 1896, 1897, 1913, and 1914]. During some seasons, the Aggies and Longhorns played each other twice.

In an attempt to generate more attention for the rivalry in sports other than football, in 2004 the two schools started the Lone Star Showdown,[181] a trial two-year program. Essentially, each time the two schools meet in a sport, the winner of the matchup gets a point. At the end of the year, the school with the most points wins the series and receives the Lone Star Showdown trophy.

Aspects of the rivalry include:

  • Each school mentions the other in its fight song (Texas with "and it's goodbye to A&M" in Texas Fight,[182] and the Aggies singing "Goodbye to Texas University, so long to the orange and the white" as the opening line of the second verse of the Aggie War Hymn,[183] and "saw Varsity's horns off" about Texas in the chorus.)
  • The football series between the two universities is the third longest running rivalry in all of college football.[184] Since 1900, the last regular season football game is usually reserved for their matchup.[185]
  • Each school has elaborate pre-game preparations for the annual football clash, including the Aggie Bonfire[186] and the Hex Rally.[187]
  • Texas has a unique lighting scheme for the UT Tower after wins over Texas A&M.[188]
  • In the past, mischief has preceded the annual game, such as the "kidnapping" of Bevo.[189][190]

Though the Longhorns lead the series overall (76–37–5), the series has been much closer since 1965 (when Texas A&M dropped compulsory participation in the Corps of Cadets). Since that time, the Aggies have accumulated 20 wins to 27 losses. During the last 40 meetings (from 1972—when the NCAA introduced scholarship limitations—to the present), the series is nearly even at 19–21. The Aggies' best years in recent times were from 1984 to 1994 when they won 10 out of 11 games, losing only in 1990 by one point.

Over the life of the series, the Aggies have shut out the Longhorns 13 times, and have been shut out 27 times (including scoreless ties in 1902, 1907, and 1921). However, since 1961, neither team has been shut out. The Aggies and Longhorns have never had a game decided in overtime. The Longhorns hold the largest margin of victory with a 48–0 win in Austin on October 22, 1898 (the second meeting in the series). The Longhorns also hold the series' longest winning streak of 10 games from 1957 to 1966. In addition, the Longhorns had an 11-game unbeaten streak from 1940 to 1950 that included a 14–14 tie in 1948.

In the 75 meetings since 1936 when the Associated Press College Poll began, the Aggies and Longhorns have faced each other 59 times when one or both teams have been ranked (the Aggies have been ranked 25 times, whereas the Longhorns have been ranked 44 times). In those 59 meetings, the lower-ranked or unranked team has won 11 times (the Aggies did it six times—1951, 1979, 1984, 1999, 2006, and 2007; the Longhorns did it five times—1941, 1955, 1957, 1974, and 1998).

Baylor

The Aggies first played the Baylor Bears in 1899, and competed with them annually since 1945.[191] It is the Aggies' eighth-oldest collegiate-football rivalry, and their third most played behind TCU and Texas. The rivalry is nicknamed the Battle of the Brazos, a term coined after the Brazos River, which flows by the two schools which are only 90 miles (145 km) apart. Texas A&M leads the series 68–31–9.[192] The Aggies' 68 wins against the Bears is the highest number of wins that the Aggies have accumulated against any team. From 1960 to 1990 the rivalry was very competitive as A&M won 16 times, Baylor won 13 times, and 2 games ended in ties; while many of the games were decided by 7 points or less.

Over the life of the series, the Aggies have shutout the Bears 29 times (including scoreless ties in 1903, 1923, 1932, and 1936). The Bears have shutout the Aggies 11 times (including those same scoreless ties). The Aggies hold the largest margin of victory with a 73–10 win in College Station on October 11, 2003, as well as the second-largest margin of victory with a 53–0 win in College Station in 1912. The Aggies hold the longest winning streak in the series of 13 games from 1991 to 2003. That winning streak is also part of an 18-game unbeaten streak for the Aggies from 1986 to 2003 (the Aggies and Bears played to a 20–20 tie in 1990).

As with the Texas Longhorns rivalry, the Baylor rivalry was put on hold after the 2011 season with the Aggies decision to leave the Big 12 Conference. When A&M announced its decision to leave the Big 12 and join the SEC in 2011, then-Baylor president Kenneth Starr filed suit in federal court in an attempt to block A&M from moving. Eventually the lawsuit was dropped, and soon thereafter, Missouri announced it was joining A&M in departing the Big 12 for the SEC.

Texas Tech

The Aggies first played the Red Raiders in 1927. The Aggies lead the all-time series 37–32–1.

Over the life of the series, the Aggies have shutout the Red Raiders four times, and the Red Raiders have shutout the Aggies four times. The Aggies hold the largest margin of victory with a 47–6 win in College Station on November 28, 1927. The Aggies and Red Raiders each have win streaks of six games, which are the longest in the series (the Aggies' streak included the 1927 and 1932 games as well as the games from 1942 to 1945; the Red Raiders' streak was uninterrupted from 1968 to 1973).

TCU

The rivalry with TCU began in 1897 and is the Aggies' third-oldest collegiate-football rivalry. Though the Aggies no longer play the Horned Frogs annually since the Southwest Conference disbanded in 1996, this series is still notable because it contains the longest, active winning streak that the Aggies have against any opponent. The Horned Frogs have not beaten the Aggies since October 21, 1972, when they won in College Station with a final score of 13–10. Adding further intrigue to this series is the fact that the Aggies' National Championship Season of 1939 succeeded the Horned Frogs' National Championship Season of 1938. Texas A&M leads the series 56–29–7 through the 2019 season.[193]

Player accomplishments

Individual awards

Heisman Trophy

Top 5 finishes for Texas A&M players:

Year Name Position Finish
1939 John Kimbrough FB 5th
1940 John Kimbrough FB 2nd
1957 John David Crow RB 1st
2012 Johnny Manziel QB 1st
2013 Johnny Manziel QB 5th

Texas A&M first-team All-Americans

In the years since 1889, several organizations and publications have recognized the top players in the nation by naming them to All-America teams. To be considered an All-American, a player needs to be named to the first-team on at least one of the lists of these organizations. In addition, the NCAA further recognizes certain players by honoring them with the "Consensus" All-American title. At present, the Consensus honor is determined by referencing the first, second, and third teams of five organizations and assigning a varying number of points for each time a player appears on one of those five lists. The points are totaled and the player with the most points at his position is awarded the Consensus honor. The five organizations whose lists are used for the Consensus determination are the Associated Press (AP),[201] American Football Coaches Association (AFCA),[202] Football Writers Association of America (FWAA),[203] Sporting News (TSN),[204] and Walter Camp Football Foundation (WCFF).[205] Finally, a player can be recognized with the "Unanimous Consensus" honor if all five of the previously listed organizations have recognized that player as a First-Team All-American.

Texas A&M has had 53 players that have been named First-Team All-Americans for a total of 72 seasons (19 players have been honored in two different seasons). 30 of those were Consensus All-Americans. Texas A&M has had 27 All-Americans on Offense, 34 All-Americans on Defense, and 11 All-Americans on Special Teams. The Linebacker position is the most represented position with 14 selections (Offensive Tackle/Offensive Guard is the next highest with 12 selections). Texas A&M has had an All-American selection at every position, and has had at least one All-American in every decade since the 1930s. The highest number of All-Americans during one decade took place from 1990 to 1999 when 16 players were named All-Americans for a total of 18 seasons.

Name Position Years at Texas A&M All-America
AP (Since 1925) AFCA (Since 1945) FWAA (Since 1944) TSN (Since 1934) WCFF (Since 1889) Other Consensus Unanimous Consensus
Sam Adams DE 1991–1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993[206] 1993
Antonio Armstrong LB 1991–1994 1994 1994[207]
Mike Arthur C 1987–1990 1990
Patrick Bates FS 1992 1992 1992 1992[208]
Rod Bernstine TE 1983–1986 1986[209]
Joe Boyd OT 1936–1939 1939[210]
Marcus Buckley LB 1990–1992 1992 1992 1992 1992 1992 1992[206] 1992 1992
Randy Bullock PK 2008–2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011[211] 2011
Ray Childress DT 1981–1984 1984 1983, 1984[212] 1984
Quentin Coryatt LB 1989–1991 1991[209]
John David Crow RB 1955–1957 1957 1957 1957 1956, 1957 1957 1957[213] 1957 1957
Dave Elmendorf FS 1968–1970 1970 1970 1970
Mike Evans WR 2012–2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013
Tony Franklin PK 1975–1978 1976, 1978 1976[214] 1976
Myles Garrett DE 2014–2016 2016 2016 2015, 2016 2016 2015, 2016 2016[215] 2016 2016
Aaron Glenn DB 1992–1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993[216] 1993 1993
Dennis Goehring OG 1953–1956 1956
Jacob Green DE 1977–1979 1979 1979 1978
Kenyon Green OT 2019–2021 2021 2020 2020, 2021 2020, 2021 2020, 2021
Lester Hayes FS 1973–1976 1976
Bill Hobbs LB 1965–1968 1967 1968[212]
Johnny Holland LB 1983–1986 1985 1985 1986[207] 1985
Robert Jackson LB 1973–1976 1976 1976 1976 1976 1976 1976[217] 1976 1976
Luke Joeckel OT 2010–2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012[218] 2012 2012
Drew Kaser P 2012–2015 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013, 2015[219] 2013 2013
John Kimbrough FB 1938–1940 1939, 1940 1939, 1940 1939,[220] 1940[221] 1939, 1940 1940
Christian Kirk PR 2015–2017 2015[222]
Charlie Krueger OT 1955–1957 1957 1956,[223] 1957[223]
Rolf Krueger OT 1965–1968 1968 1968[224]
DeMarvin Leal DE 2019–2021 2021 2021 2021 2021
Shane Lechler P 1996–1999 1999 1998 1999[225]
Darren Lewis RB 1987–1990 1988, 1990 1990 1988 1990 1990[226] 1990
Jack Little FB 1949–1952 1951 1952
Leeland McElroy AP/KR 1993–1995 1995 1994 1994 1994 1994[227] 1994
Braden Mann P 2016-2019 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018, 2019 2018 2018
Johnny Manziel QB 2012–2013 2012,2013 2012 2012 2012 2012,2013[218][228] 2012
Jake Matthews OT 2010–2013 2013 2013 2012,2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013
Tommy Maxwell FS 1965–1968 1968 1968[224]
Ray Mickens DB 1992–1995 1995
Von Miller DE/LB 2007–2010 2010 2009 2010 2009,[229] 2010[230] 2010
Brandon Mitchell DE 1993–1996 1995
Keith Mitchell LB 1993–1996 1996[207]
Damontre Moore DE 2010–2012 2012 2012 2012 2012[228] 2012
Maurice "Mo" Moorman OT 1966–1967 1966 1966 1966[224]
Dat Nguyen LB 1995–1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998[207] 1998 1998
Steve O'Neal P 1965–1968 1968
Jack Pardee FB 1954–1956 1956 1956[231]
Marshall Robnett OG 1938–1940 1940 1940[232] 1940
John Roper LB 1985–1988 1987 1987 1987
Joe Routt OG 1935–1937 1936, 1937 1937[233] 1937
Ed Simonini LB 1972–1975 1975 1975 1975 1975 1975 1975[226] 1975 1975
Bob Smith RB 1949–1951 1950[234]
Kevin Smith CB 1988–1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991[235] 1991
Jace Sternberger TE 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018
Garth TenNapel LB 1973–1975 1975[209]
Pat Thomas CB 1972–1975 1974, 1975 1975 1974 1975 1974,[209] 1975[236] 1974, 1975
Jason Webster DB 1996–1999 1999[237]

Hall of Fame

College Football Hall of Fame coaches

Texas A&M has six coaches inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.[238]

Coach Years Induction
Madison A. "Matty" Bell 1929–1933 1955
Dana X. Bible 1917, 1919–1928 1951
Paul "Bear" Bryant 1954–1957 1986
Homer H. Norton 1934–1947 1971
Gene Stallings 1965–1971 2010
RC Slocum 1982–2002 2012

College Football Hall of Fame players

Texas A&M has 12 players inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.[238]

Player Position Years Induction
Ray Childress DT 1981–1984 2010
John David Crow HB 1955–1957 1976
Dave Elmendorf S 1968–1970 1997
Jacob Green DE 1977–1979 2019
Joel Hunt HB 1925–1927 1967
John Kimbrough FB 1938–1940 1954
Charlie Krueger T 1955–1957 1983
Dat Nguyen LB 1995–1998 2017
Jack Pardee FB 1954–1956 1986
Joe Routt G 1935–1937 1962
Gene Stallings DB 1954–1956 2010
Joe Utay HB 1905–1907 1974

Pro Football Hall of Fame players

Player Position Years Induction Ref
Yale Lary S 1948–1951 1979 [239]

Venue

Kyle Field stadium (pictured in 2015), where the Aggies play their home games

The Aggies play at Kyle Field, which has been the home to the Aggies in rudimentary form since 1904, and as a permanent concrete stadium since 1927.[240] The seating capacity of 102,733 in 2015 makes the stadium the largest in the Southeastern Conference and the fourth-largest stadium in the NCAA, the fourth-largest stadium in the United States, and the sixth-largest non-racing stadium in the world. It is also the largest football stadium in the state of Texas.

Traditions

12th Man

Aggie football fans call themselves the 12th Man, meaning they are there to support the 11 players on the field. To further symbolize their "readiness, desire, and enthusiasm," the entire student body stands throughout the game.[241] In a further show of respect, the students step "off the wood" (step off the bleachers onto the concrete) whenever a player is injured or when the band plays the Aggie War Hymn or The Spirit of Aggieland.[242][243]

Seniors wearing either their Senior boots or Aggie Rings are also encouraged to join the "Boot Line." As the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band leaves the field after their half-time performances, seniors line up at the south end of Kyle Field to welcome the team back onto the field for the second half.[244]

The tradition began in Dallas on January 2, 1922, at the Dixie Classic, the forerunner of the Cotton Bowl Classic. A&M played defending national champion Centre College in the first post-season game in the southwest. In this hard fought game, which produced national publicity, an underdog Aggie team was slowly defeating a team which had allowed fewer than 6 points per game. The first half produced so many injuries for A&M that Coach D. X. Bible feared he wouldn't have enough men to finish the game. At that moment, he called into the Aggie section of the stands for E. King Gill, a student who had left football after the regular season to play basketball. Gill, who was spotting players for a Waco newspaper and was not in football uniform, donned the uniform of injured player Heine Weir and stood on the sidelines to await his turn. Although he did not actually play in the game, his readiness to play symbolized the willingness of all Aggies to support their team to the point of actually entering the game. When the game ended in a 22–14 Aggie victory, Gill was the only man left standing on the sidelines for the Aggies. Gill later said, "I wish I could say that I went in and ran for the winning touchdown, but I did not. I simply stood by in case my team needed me."[245]

In the 1980s, the tradition was expanded as coach Jackie Sherrill created the 12th Man squad led by 12th man standout Dean Berry. Composed solely of walk-on (non-scholarship) players, the squad would take the field for special teams' performances.[245] This squad never allowed a kickoff return for a touchdown.[246] Sherrill's successor, R. C. Slocum, amended the tradition in the 1990s to allow one walk-on player, wearing the No. 12 jersey, to take the field for special teams' plays.[245] The player is chosen based on the level of determination and hard work shown in practices. Coach Dennis Franchione has continued Slocum's model, while also keeping an all-walk-on kickoff team that played three times in the 2006 season.[246]

Bonfire

Aggie Bonfire was a long-standing tradition at Texas A&M University as part of a college rivalry with the University of Texas at Austin, known as t.u. by Texas A&M students. For ninety years, Texas A&M students built and burned a large bonfire on campus each fall. Known within the Aggie community simply as Bonfire, the annual fall event symbolized the students' "burning desire to beat the hell outta t.u."[247] The bonfire was traditionally lit around Thanksgiving in conjunction with the festivities surrounding the annual game between the schools.[248]

The first on-campus Aggie Bonfire was burned in 1909, and the tradition continued for the next 90 years.[248] For almost two decades, Bonfire was constructed from debris and pieces of wood that Aggies "found," including lumber intended for a dormitory that students appropriated in 1912.[249] The event became school-sanctioned in 1936, and, for the first time, students were provided with axes, saws, and trucks and pointed towards a grove of dead trees on the edge of town.[248] In the following years the Bonfire became more elaborate, and in 1967 the flames could be seen 25 miles (40 km) away. In 1969, the stack set the world record at 111 feet (30 m) tall.[248][250]

In 1978, Bonfire shifted to a wedding-cake style, in which upper stacks of logs were wedged on top of lower stacks. The structure was built around a fortified centerpole, made from two telephone poles.[251] Although tradition stated that if Bonfire burned through midnight A&M would win the following day's game, with the introduction of the wedding cake design Bonfire began to fall very quickly, sometimes burning for only 30 or 45 minutes.[252]

At 2:42 am on November 18, 1999, the partially completed Aggie Bonfire, standing 40 feet (10 m) tall and consisting of about 5000 logs, collapsed during construction. Of the 58 students and former students working on the stack, 12 were killed and 27 others were injured.[251] On November 25, 1999, the date that Bonfire would have burned, Aggies instead held a vigil and remembrance ceremony. Over 40,000 people, including former President George H. W. Bush and his wife Barbara and then-Texas governor George W. Bush and his wife Laura, lit candles and observed up to two hours of silence at the site of the Bonfire collapse.[253] The Bonfire Memorial was officially dedicated on November 18, 2004.[254]

Bonfire was postponed until 2002 in order to restructure it to make it safer. Delays in the development of a safety plan and a high estimated cost (mainly due to liability insurance), led A&M president Ray Bowen to postpone Bonfire indefinitely.[255] Despite the university's refusal to allow Bonfire to take place on campus, since 2002 a non-university sanctioned Bonfire has burned annually.[256] Known as Student Bonfire, the off-campus event draws between 8,000 and 15,000 fans.[257] Student Bonfire utilizes many changes for safety purposes, and has only recorded two serious injuries since its inception, neither life-threatening. The newly designed stack was designed by a professional engineer (a former student) and features a center pole with 4 perimeter poles connected via "windle-sticks". In the new design, the height is capped at 45 feet (not including the outhouse), and all the logs touch the ground. Alcohol is strictly prohibited from all student bonfire functions as it was revealed that a number of the students working on the collapsed bonfire in 1999 had BACs higher than the legal driving limit.

Fightin' Texas Aggie Band

The Fightin' Texas Aggie Band marches in TAM formation during halftime at Kyle Field.

The Fightin' Texas Aggie Band (also known as The Noble Men of Kyle or the Aggie Band) is the official marching band of Texas A&M University. Composed of over 400 men and women from the school's Corps of Cadets,[258] it is the largest military marching band in the world. The complex straight-line maneuvers, performed exclusively to traditional marches, are so complicated and precise that computer marching simulations say they cannot be performed.[259]

Since its inception in 1894, its members eat together, sleep in the same dormitories, and practice up to forty hours per week on top of a full academic schedule. The Aggie Band performs at all home football games, some away games, and university and Corps functions throughout the year. Other events in which the band participated include inauguration parades for many United States Presidents and Texas Governors, major annual parades across the country, and the dedication ceremony for the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library.[260][261][262]

Midnight Yell Practice

Midnight Yell Practice is a pep rally usually held the night before a football game. If the football game is to be held at Kyle Field, midnight yell takes place the day of the football game at 12:00 am. If the football game is an away game, a yell is held on the Thursday night before at the Corps Arches on the Texas A&M campus, and Midnight Yell will be held in the city the game is being played.

Wrecking Crew

Hand sign for the Wrecking Crew

The term Wrecking Crew is a name given to defenses of the football team.[263][264] The term, coined by defensive back Chet Brooks, became popular during the coach R. C. Slocum's tenure in 80s and the 90s. After the coach's firing, many fans, coaches, and sports analysts feel that recent Aggie defenses have not "earned" the title.[264][265] Despite this, the university still owns a trademark on the term.[266]

Yell Leaders

Yell Leaders are five students who lead the crowd in yells during the games. The team consists of three seniors and two juniors elected by the student body. The Yell Leaders take the place of traditional "cheerleaders" and perform many of the same functions without the gymnastics and dance routines. They also participate in post-game activities such as being thrown in the Fish Pond if the team wins, or leading the student body in the singing of The Twelfth Man if the team loses.

Future opponents

Conference opponents

From 2012 to 2023, Texas A&M played in the West Division of the SEC and played each opponent in the division each year along with several teams from the East Division. The SEC will expand the conference to 16 teams and will eliminate its two divisions in 2024, causing a new scheduling format for the Aggies to play against the other members of the conference.[267] Only the 2024 conference schedule was announced on June 14, 2023, while the conference still considers a new format for the future.[268]

2024 Conference Schedule

OpponentSiteResult
Arkansas
at Auburn
at Florida
LSU
  • Kyle Field
  • College Station, TX (rivalry)
at Mississippi State
Missouri
  • Kyle Field
  • College Station, TX
at South Carolina
Texas
  • Kyle Field
  • College Station, TX (rivalry)

Non-conference opponents

Announced schedules as of December 12, 2024.[269]

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029
Notre Dame UTSA Arizona State Texas State Louisville at Louisville
McNeese State Utah State at Arizona State Abilene Christian
Bowling Green at Notre Dame New Mexico
New Mexico State Samford Arkansas State

See also

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