The 100-Reason Choice: One step for A&M's future

The time has come.

After three years in the Southeastern Conference, the time is right for Texas A&M to take a hard look at its athletic department, re-examine the “100-year decision” and consider what truly is best for the Aggies’ future and long-term success.

Tough, uncomfortable questions should be asked. Realities should be faced. Conflicting opinions should be heard. Unpopular decisions should be made.

The first of these unpopular decisions should involve the Southeastern Conference … or, more accurately, an exit strategy from the SEC.

Of course, the vast majority of Aggies would charge that merely thinking about leaving the SEC qualifies as blasphemy. Suggesting it in print is cause to fly Gene Stallings down from Paris just to meet up with the heretic who’d propose leaving and kick said heretic’s ass up and down Highway 6.

Both ways.

It’s an unpopular – some would even say foolish — position to take. A TexAgs documentary declared A&M was “SEC Ready.” Author Rusty Burson wrote the book “The 100 Year Decision” to chronicle A&M’s departure from the Big 12. SEC banners and logos can be seen all over College Station.

Yet, A&M should take into account the geographical and competitive considerations and ask to be readmitted to the Big 12. A&M should be willing to pay any fees that Bob Bowlsby (or Steve Patterson) requires.

Think of the advantages: A return to the Big 12 would ease travel and financial burdens on football weekends. Every SEC opponent A&M faces with the exception of LSU is located more than 500 miles from College Station.

Austin, Waco, Lubbock, Norman, Okla., and Stillwater, Okla. are all closer.

Rather than driving all day Friday and spending money on hotels, Aggies can just wake up Saturday morning for easy trips to Baylor, Texas and OU.

Also, Aggies have yearned for a true rival ever since leaving the Big 12. A return would reestablish traditional in-state rivalries with Baylor, Texas Tech and Texas. As per tradition, Texas A&M and Texas could resume their Thanksgiving football series. Isn’t that how it should be?

If Aggies don’t want to play Texas again they should change the words to the War Hymn. But “pull Mike’s tail off” just doesn’t have the same zing, does it?

An even greater reason to rejoin the Big 12 is for competitive purposes.

Had the Aggies remained in the Big 12 they would have won a couple of conference championships over the past three years. They might even have won a national title in 2012.

Instead, A&M finished in a tie for second in the SEC West (and was essentially third for losing to LSU). That was with quarterback Johnny Manziel, perhaps the best player in school history, running the show. The next year the Aggies were fourth in the West Division. Last year they were sixth.

Move back to the Big 12 and the Aggies don’t have to face Alabama or Auburn, or LSU, which A&M has not yet beaten as an SEC member.

Stay in the SEC and A&M will have made a 100-year decision to accept second-division status in football — and most other sports, too. Move back to the Big 12 and the Aggies can become that conference’s one true champion.

If Aggies stubbornly insist on remaining in the SEC they should go ahead and bite the $5 million bullet and replace football coach Kevin Sumlin. After three seasons it’s become obvious that Sumlin’s rapid-paced style of play just won’t win consistently in the SEC, which was built on power running and defense.

Admittedly, Sumlin recruits very well, but that’s not enough. A&M should seek a football coach who has a reputation as a good recruiter, has won at high level and employs a more traditional offense.

Frankly, Mack Brown would be a logical replacement.

In fact, Dennis Franchione might even deserve another shot in College Station. His style of play has proven successful in the SEC. Remember, Franchione posted two winning seasons at Alabama. Coach Fran had more victories in his first season in Tuscaloosa than Nick Saban did in his first season there. Also, Alabama posted 10 victories under Franchione in 2002.

Texas A&M should consider all these options.

The time is right because we’re now in April.

April fool's.