#GOOD

Rarely do I post an opinion on social media, but I’m making an exception this week.? Most of my close connections know I attended Texas A&M University.? I was both excited and proud to support our baseball team in last weekend’s College World Series.? In three years, head coach Jim Schlossnagle (Coach Schloss), assembled a strong team and led the Aggies to the Championship Series last weekend, where they lost in a three-game series to a great Tennessee team.?

Coach Schloss is a great coach and this week he highlighted his true motivation is driven by one thing – his lofty image of himself. After the loss Monday evening, Coach Schloss excoriated a reporter, Richard Zane, who asked a legitimate question regarding rumors about accepting a role at The University of Texas.? Instead of responding that he preferred questions be focused on the team, Coach Schloss said “I think it’s pretty selfish of you to ask me that question, to be honest with you. I left my family to be the coach at Texas A&M. I took the job at Texas A&M to never take another job again. And that hasn’t changed, in my mind. That’s unfair to talk about something like that…”

Understandably, Aggie fans were proud and confident we had a man of character who was invested in the team and the university.? ?What we learned the next morning after Coach Sloss slinked away without giving his players even the courtesy of a goodbye was that Coach Schloss had agreed to accept the position at UT weeks ago, then had the nerve to concoct a dubious story that the conversations with UT magically just started after the game was over Monday night.? Ok…let’s go with that.? I'm curious if Coach let his family know or if they also found out the same time as the players Coach Schloss cares so much about.

Ironically, UT Board of Regents Chair Kevin Eltife said yesterday “We want leaders of character and integrity who know how to win in a way that makes Longhorn nation proud, which is the reason we are so proud to be here today to welcome Coach Schlossnagle as our new head coach of UT baseball. His record speaks for itself, but more importantly his character and integrity in the manner in which he runs a first-class program is second to none."

“More importantly his character and integrity.”? Seriously? Mr. Eltife either just woke up from a deep sleep or is as tone deaf a Regent as one could find.? To pretend everything that occurred was above board and to double-down on the “character and integrity” card for a man who just chewed out a reporter and didn’t care enough about his players to let them know he didn’t really mean what he just said the previous evening is a complete joke.? And to be fair, I believe Coach Schloss does care about some of the players, notably those he believes can make him more successful – and we’ll likely see some of them in burnt orange next year.

And it gets better! In his press conference yesterday at UT, Coach Schloss said "I get it" responding to the uproar from the 12th Man. Sadly, he doesn't get it – your coach going to a rival is not fun, but it’s part of college sports – just don’t lie about it, then lie about the lie to boot. Schloss’ ability to lie is so natural he doesn't even recognize it and the lack of self-awareness in his halfhearted apology to Richard Zane in saying "I was thinking about the players” represents the alternate reality Coach Schloss lives in, as he said nothing about the players in his rant, focusing instead about HIS sacrifices and HIS family. Coach Schloss also commented he regrets not being able to tell the players. What he really regrets is the national stir his self-absorption has caused.? He also regrets the raised eyebrows from UT fans who are not so na?ve as to believe the yarn Schloss and Conti spun.? UT alum are bright and pay attention.? Most are happy about the hire, but few can make any sense of the comments from Coach Schloss Monday night, and some have already drawn parallels to the Chris Beard hire.

So here we are on Thursday, Coach Schloss is now wealthier, likely headed for more wins, and will be a popular figure in Austin.? ?And I feel sorry for him.

So why do I care?

• The events of the week are a great reminder for anyone in a leadership position, whether sports or business, that character matters, words matter, and relationships matter. A couple of sentences can have huge consequences.? We saw that this week. Don’t be Coach Schloss.
• Do not lie for convenience.? A friend responded to me that this was just coach speak and they all do it.? That doesn’t cut it for me – give a non-answer, but don’t angrily rant and lie. ?Spinning up fabrications like Coach Schloss did this week without any anticipation of being held to account has become all too normal.? It’s unacceptable.? And instead of a genuine apology, he keeps digging and everyone can see it for what it is. Even UT fans.
• Coach Schloss reminded me this week why I am proud to be an Aggie. Yes, I know many of you are giggling or commenting on us poor Aggies not knowing any better, and I don’t really care.? One of the traditions Coach Schloss was likely introduced to is the Aggie Code of Honor which states "Aggies do not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do". Coach Schloss’ last few days showed us he is not an Aggie.? He never was and we are glad he is gone.
• If you watched any of the College World Series, you would have noticed fans and players wearing caps that said “GOOD”.? If you are not familiar, check out the story that motivated the Aggies adopting this as their team motto.? There’s not a better way to move forward.