Jim Schlossnagle Hired By Texas After Texas A&M's College World Series Loss

Texas A&M coach Jim Schlossnagle is leaving the College World Series runners up to coach their perennial rivals.

Texas announced that Schlossnagle would be taking over as head coach the day after the Aggies' Game 3 loss to Tennessee.

247Sports' Chip Brown reports that Schlossnagle will also bring his coaching staff to Texas.

Schlossnagle, who previously spent 18 seasons at TCU, led Texas A&M to a 135-62 record through three seasons.

He will now replace David Pierce, who parted ways with Texas Monday after eight seasons in Austin.

Schlossnagle's decision will be especially contentious this season now that Texas is joining A&M in the SEC.

Texas A&M athletic director Trev Alberts said Schlossnagle informed the program of his decision after the team returned Tuesday from Omaha.

Schlossnagle said in a statement shared by A&M that his decision was driven by his desire to rejoin Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte, with whom he had previously worked for eight seasons at TCU.

"Although I know many will be upset with my decision, I chose to make a change to join a longtime friend to continue my career as a college baseball coach," Schlossnagle said.

The news comes the day after Schlossnagle expressed frustration with a reporter for asking about his potential connection to the job opening in Texas.

"I left my family to be the coach at Texas A&M," Schlossnagle said Monday. "I took the job at Texas A&M to never take another job again, and that hasn't changed in my mind... I gave up a big part of my life to come take this job, and I've poured every ounce of my soul in this job. And I've given this job every single ounce I could possibly give it. So write that."

Schlossnagle coached the Aggies to two College World Series appearances in the last three seasons, including this year's runner-up bid.

He and Del Conte worked together at TCU for three CWS bids and four Big 12 championships. Texas will now hope to find similar success under the same pair in the SEC.