Legendary R.C. Slocum reflects on five decades of service at Texas A&M

The winningest coach in Texas A&M history, R.C. Slocum officially announced his retirement after a 53-year stint in Aggieland. The legend joined Monday's edition of TexAgs Live to look back on his illustrious coaching career and time serving Texas A&M University.

Key notes from R.C. Slocum interview

• When I was a young coach, I looked around and knew guys who bounced everywhere. I looked at guys like Vince Dooley, Bo Schembechler, Frank Broyles and Darrell Royal, who could have gone to other places. They found a place a place they fit, and they stayed there.
   
• When I got to Texas A&M, I liked it here, and I had grown up in Texas. The first college campus I was ever on was Texas A&M. I had an Aggie in my hometown named Homer Stark. My high school, West Orange-Stark, was named after his father. He took a liking to me. He saw something in me and said, “Slocum, I have to take you up to Aggieland.” We went to Bonfire and a game. That started my real affinity for A&M. I went off coaching and never dreamed that I would be here or much less be the head coach. I tracked Emory Bellard down when he was coming here. I sent him a letter when I was at Kansas State.
   
• One of my high school assistants went to see Bellard. We had lunch, and he told me Bellard had the A&M job. I said, “I would love to come with you.” They said to use my coaches as a reference. On the way home, I had a lot of thinking time. The next day, I drove to A&M. I sat on the steps at G. Rollie White until someone showed up.
   
• Bellard’s assistant said, “Can I help you?” I said, “Yeah, I am here to see Coach Bellard.” She said, “He excepting you?” I said, “No, not really.” She said, “Does he know you?” I said, “No, not really.” She said it was a bad day. He had coaches to interview and talk to the media. I said, “I realize that, but I had driven three-and-a-half hours, so if I could just say hello to him for a minute.” She shrugged but opened the door. I stayed around until after lunch. The assistant came out and said, “Coach knows you have been waiting all day, so if you want to wait until after 4 p.m., there is a little window there.”
   
• At 4 p.m., I started telling Coach Bellard everything I could on why he should hire me. He said, “I don't know what I am going to do because I have a number of people I am talking to, but I will let you know before Christmas.” I felt good about it. It was a good conversation.
   
• On Christmas Eve in 1971, Bellard called me and offered me a job. When he called me, I had the No. 1 running back prospect in the country with me, Bubba Bean. He said we would report the Jan. 2 because he was coaching the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Day. I asked if he wanted to talk to Bubba Bean. He said that would be the first stop once we get everyone signed up and everything. I said, “No, coach. Do you want to talk to him right now? I got him here.” I was at Bean’s house.
   
• I told Bean, “Everything I told you about Kansas State is true, but that is a long way up there, and it's really cold. I just took a job at A&M, and that would be a much better deal for you.” Long story short, he came to A&M and started his freshman year.
   
• There is a whole lot of truth to the rumor Adrian Peterson would have come to A&M if I remained the head coach. I had him in football camps starting in eighth grade. I talked to him, and I said, “I can just look at you and tell you are a heck of an athlete.” We established a relationship. I talked to his parents and told them he had a bright future. I want to make sure he is in the right courses that he needs.
   
• When we beat Oklahoma here in 2002, Peterson was here. He told people he would have come here if I was the coach. I was having the best recruiting year because I had the building coming. I was feeling positive about that. We lost two games in overtime and beat the No. 1 team in the nation.
   
• I marvel at the fact that people would say, “R.C. had no offense.” Mike Leach was respected. He was a really bright, offensive guy. That day, my team scored 47, and he scored 48.
   
• When I went into coaching, I knew how it worked. Coaches get fired. I was disappointed, but I wasn't bitter towards A&M. My two boys were upset. I told them A&M had been good to me and our family, and I didn't want to hear one more bad word about A&M.
   
• I have been blessed. We had a deal in Houston where I was honored. At dinner, I had my immediate family there, and we had 16 A&M degrees. The morning after I got fired, Mark White, the former governor, called me and said they needed to get me up to Baylor. He said, “We don't care what A&M is paying you. We will pay you more.” I kept getting calls about Baylor. I got calls about coming to Houston. I had those things swirling around. I had to fast forward and say, “What do I want to do with the rest of my life?” I was 58.