Former Texas A&M Coach R.C. Slocum To Serve As Interim Athletic Director

Former Texas A&M Aggies coach R.C. Slocum will serve as the Aggies' interim athletic director as the university looks for Ross Bjork’s successor.

Former Texas A&M coach R.C. Slocum will serve as the Aggies' interim athletic director as university leadership looks for Ross Bjork’s successor, according to a release from the university.

Bjork recently departed College Station for Columbus as he will replace longtime Ohio State AD Gene Smith on July 1 following his retirement. Slocum will begin duties as the interim AD beginning Feb. 1. 

“I am honored to be asked to serve as the interim athletic director at Texas A&M, a university close to my heart,” Slocum said in a statement. “I have great respect for President [Mark] Welsh and will do my best to make him, Texas A&M and, most importantly, our coaches and student-athletes proud.”

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This marks Slocum's second time serving as A&M's interim athletic director, having served in the role from January to June 2019 after Scott Woodward’s departure to LSU before Bjork’s hiring from Ole Miss. 

Slocum, 79, has been on the faces of A&M athletics since 1972 when hired as an offensive assistant. He late was promoted to defensive coordinator (1979-80, 1982-89) before replacing Jackie Sherrill as head coach in 198. 

Slocum remains the all-time winningest coach in A&M history with a 123-47-2 record. In 1998, he led the Aggies to their first Big 12 title and also led the program to three Southwest Conference titles from 1991-93. 

Slocum has been on the Aggies' payroll since his coaching career ended in 2002, serving as a special assistant to the Texas A&M president. 

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“Coach Slocum has been a champion for Texas A&M on and off the field for more than 50 years,” Texas A&M President Mark Welsh said in a statement. “His passion for this university, knowledge of Aggies athletics and commitment to the success of our student-athletes are second to none, and I’m grateful for his willingness to once again step into this interim role.”

According to the release, A&M is expected to create a search committee for the new athletic director, which will be announced soon. The Aggies will be looking for their fifth AD since joining the SEC in 2012.