Slocum excited about supportive role as interim Athletic Director
Almost two decades have passed since R.C. Slocum was fired from his position as Texas A&M head football coach. In that time he never stopped loving A&M.
That’s why he turned down job offers from LSU and the Arizona Cardinals before his dismissal in 2002. That’s why he turned down overtures from Baylor afterward.
Slocum loved A&M and never stopped. So, when he was asked by President Michael Young to replace departed Athletic Director Scott Woodward on an interim basis, Slocum readily accepted the call.
“To me, it was just an opportunity to kind of pay back A&M for all the fun years I’ve had here,” the 74-year-old Slocum said late Friday night. “To step in and say ‘Hey, I’ll do this job as long as you want me to do it. When the (athletic director) search happens, I’ll step aside. I think the intent was to create some stability in the program.”
The program is quite stable. The sports facilities are among the best in the nation. Football coach Jimbo Fisher in his the second year of a 10-year deal. Buzz Williams just took over the basketball program.
Appointing Slocum keeps that stability in place. A&M’s biggest need is an athletic director that Fisher likes, respects and can work with. Slocum can fill that job description for as long as he’s needed.
“I’ve spent my whole life coaching. I understand coaches and problems coaches face,” Slocum said. “I always felt like an athletic director’s role is to be in the background in a supportive role. Find out what a coach needs and the problems he has then work on solving those problems and meeting their needs...That’s my position and I will do that as long as A&M wants me to.”
Slocum said he phoned Fisher, who is currently on the road with personal business. They’ve yet to talk, although they’ve spoken many times before. Slocum is a frequent visitor to Fisher’s football practices.
“I’ve been where he is (as head coach) and I know how hard it is,” Slocum said. “I’ve got a great picture in my mind of what an AD job is. It’s great that we have a big-time coach who knows what he’s doing. My job is just to be supportive of him. He wants to bring A&M to national prominence. He’ll do it.”
Slocum will move into the Athletic Director office on Monday. Normally, he would have done so on Saturday, but it Easter weekend and he did not want staff employees to be forced to work on a holiday. Once he gets settled he’s going to serve Texas A&M like grandfather asked to watch over the grandkids.
“A&M means something to me,” he said. “Both my sons are Aggies. I have Aggie granddaughters. I spent 47 years of my life there. I’m Maroon-and-White. That’s why it’s an honor to do this. I’m A&M through and through.”