Texas A&M hires TCU's Schlossnagle to lead baseball program

TCU coach Jim Schlossnagle hits Thursday, May 30, 2019, with a fungo during practice and walk-through ahead of the NCAA Baseball Regional at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville.

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Texas A&M hired Jim Schlossnagle as its new baseball coach Wednesday after his 18 seasons at TCU that included five trips to the College World Series.

Schlossnagle replaces Rob Childress, whose contract wasn't renewed after the Aggies missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2006.

“I am extremely excited to get things started in Aggieland, and I am humbled by this incredible opportunity,” Schlossnagle said. “With the resources and facilities available at this world-class university, the foundation is here to win championships and make the 12th Man a regular visitor to Omaha.”

The Horned Frogs this year shared the Big 12 regular-season title with Texas, won the conference tournament and were a No. 6 national seed in the NCAA Tournament before losing at home last weekend. Schlossnagle was 734-346 at TCU, which went to the College World Series in 2010 and then made four consecutive trips to Omaha from 2014-17.

“As our search progressed, it became abundantly clear that Jim Schlossnagle had the experience, recruiting prowess, player development background and baseball knowledge to deliver a championship-caliber program for Aggie baseball,” athletic director Ross Bjork said.

Before TCU, Schlossnagle started his head coaching career by going 77-47 in two seasons at UNLV (2002-03).

Childress was 622-336-3 in 16 seasons at Texas A&M, including a school-record 13 consecutive NCAA appearances from 2007-19 before there was no tournament last year because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Aggies were 29-27 overall this season and missed the SEC Tournament after going 9-21 in conference play and finishing last in the SEC West.

Texas A&M went to the College World Series twice under Childress, in 2011 and 2017.

Texas A&M was one of two SEC programs looking for a new coach this year. LSU coach Paul Mainieri announced last month he will retire at the end of the season. The Tigers will play in an NCAA super regional at Tennessee this week.