PHILADELPHIA – College football has just started, but it hasn’t taken long for but it hasn’t taken long for controversy to break out on the Texas A & M campus.
Aggies coach Kevin Sumlin finds himself on the hot seat after just one game following A & M’s 45-44 loss to UCLA. The Aggies blew a 34-point lead and that was enough for university regent Tony Buzbee to call for his head.
“I’m sure I may be criticized for this post but I honestly don’t care,’’ Buzzbee said on Facebook. I’ve been on the Board of Regents for the A & M System for almost seven years. During that time, I’ve not once commented on Kevin Sumlin and his performance during his tenure at our school. I never said a word when he and his agent manipulated a much bigger and longer contract. I said nothing about his arrogance and his mishandling of multiple player controversies. I said nothing when we had multiple awesome recruiting classes, only to see key players leave our school and or underperform.’’
Buzzbee’s anger and exasperation was set off when UCLA scored 35 unanswered points in just 16:23.
“Tonight, I am very disappointed and I have to say this,’’ Buzzbee added. “Kevin Sumlin was out-coached tonight, which isn’t new. He recruits well, but can’t coach the big games, the close games. Our players were better tonight. Our players were more talented. But our coaches were dominated on national TV, yet again. I’m only one vote on the Board of Regent but when the time comes my vote will be that Kevin Sumlin needs to GO. In my view, he should go now. We owe it to our school and our players. We can do better.’
How’s that for a vote of confidence?
I know it’s early, but Aggies’ AD Scott Woodward has already told ESPN’s Paul Finebaum, “Coach knows he has to win, and he has to win this year.’’
A & M plays in the SEC and has won eight games in each of his last three years after starting off 5-0. Last season, the Aggies entered their SEC West showdown with top-ranked Alabama ranked sixth in the polls. They were blown out that day and lost four of their final six games, with two non-conference wins coming against New Mexico State and UTSA.
