The beginning of a new chapter for the University of Texas Longhorns baseball team comes with fresh leadership under Jim Schlossnagle, who has taken over the reins as head coach. Schlossnagle, previously at Texas A&M, now leads the Longhorns into a new era of competition, but despite the rivalry between the two schools, he’s making it clear that there is no personal animosity towards his former program.
In his first press conference as the head coach of the Longhorns, Schlossnagle addressed the inevitable question about his past with Texas A&M, where he spent several successful years before making the move to Austin. Rather than fueling any tensions, Schlossnagle stressed the importance of focusing on the future and building a program that is committed to winning at the highest level.
“People might think there’s some animosity between me and A&M, but there’s really not,” Schlossnagle said. “My goal now is to win for Texas. I’m all in for this program, and I have nothing but respect for the players, coaches, and the fanbase I left behind.”
Schlossnagle’s message was clear: while his coaching career took him from College Station to Austin, his professional focus is entirely on the Longhorns. He acknowledged that the rivalry between the schools is intense, but he emphasized that it is rooted in competition, not personal grudges.
His move to Texas has generated excitement among fans, who are hopeful that Schlossnagle’s leadership can restore the Longhorns to their rightful place as a perennial powerhouse in college baseball. The program has a storied history, and Schlossnagle’s track record of success at A&M — including multiple College World Series appearances — has many believing that the future of Longhorn baseball is in good hands.
The 2025 season marks the beginning of Schlossnagle’s first campaign in charge of the Longhorns, and expectations are high. While he is focused on fostering a winning culture at Texas, he remains respectful of his time at A&M, which he believes helped shape his approach to coaching.
“I don’t hold anything negative from my time at A&M,” Schlossnagle explained. “That was a chapter of my life that helped me grow, and now I’m here to lead a new team with a new mission. It’s about looking forward, not backward.”
As the Longhorns prepare for a challenging season, Schlossnagle’s leadership will be pivotal in setting the tone for the future. His calm yet determined approach to coaching and his focus on developing players both on and off the field will be key factors as Texas strives to compete at the highest levels of college baseball.
For now, the focus remains on Texas and its pursuit of excellence — both in the classroom and on the diamond. While the rivalry with Texas A&M will continue to captivate fans, Schlossnagle’s message is clear: it’s all about what’s next for the Longhorns, and that’s where his energies will remain firmly focused.
