R.C. Slocum reflects on his 53-year legacy and retirement from Texas A&M

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Texas (KBTX) -Texas A&M legend R.C. Slocum officially retired Thursday, marking the end of a 53-year career that shaped Aggie football and left an indelible mark on the university.

“It’s a bittersweet time for Texas A&M. The all-time winningest football coach in Aggie history,” said Texas A&M University President Mark Welsh III. " Coach Slocum is one of the greatest Aggies and nicest people you’ll ever meet, and I know we are all grateful for all he’s done for this university over the years.”

Slocum began his journey at Texas A&M on Jan. 2, 1972, as a young assistant coach under Emory Bellard. Exactly 53 years later, the 80-year-old retires as the winningest coach in program history, compiling a 123-47-2 record during his 14 years as head coach from 1989 to 2002.

“I came to A&M January the second, 1972, so I thought it was fitting that I would pick a retirement date, January the second, 2025,” Slocum said. “That’s over half a century here. I coached 30 of those years, either as an assistant or head coach.”

Under Slocum’s leadership, Texas A&M claimed four conference championships, including the 1998 Big 12 Title, and became known for its iconic “Wrecking Crew” defense. Slocum, who never had a losing season, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2012.

But Slocum said his proudest accomplishments go beyond wins and championships.

“The most meaningful thing to me is seeing the young men that I coached come through,” Slocum said. “Many of them came from impoverished families like mine did. To see them graduate, and to see their families grow and succeed—that’s the most lasting thing.”

He recalled a recent moment involving two of his former players, Ty Warren and Richmond Webb, who were both first-generation college students.

“Last December, they were up here, right here in this area. Both of their daughters were getting their Aggie rings. That’s the second generation of educated young people in those families that I was involved in.”

In addition to his coaching legacy, Slocum served as interim athletic director twice, in 2019 and 2022, and most recently worked as a special assistant to the president.

“Two different times I was asked to serve as the interim athletic director,” Slocum said. “It was fun, and it was a great compliment to be asked to step in and try to keep the ball rolling in a good direction until a full-time person came aboard.”

Reflecting on his career, Slocum said he hopes his legacy will be defined by his care for his players.

“I would hope that people would look at me, my players would look at me and say, ‘That’s a coach that cared about his players and pushed them to be all that they could be,’” Slocum said.

Now cancer-free after overcoming stage four lymphoma in 2021, Slocum plans to enjoy retirement but remains open to supporting Texas A&M when needed.

“I told Dr. Welsh, nothing really changes,” Slocum said. “If you need me to go speak somewhere or show up, I’ll do that as long as I’m physically able.”

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