The expectation has been for some time now that Texas A&M baseball would be in the market for a new head coach pretty presently. Though the Aggies reached some highs this past season, knocking off no. 1 Tennessee in Knoxville, beating LSU and Arkansas when both were ranked no. 2, and several other key wins, the collapse down the stretch of the season and being left out of the NCAA tournament amounted, in the minds of many, to grounds for making a change at head man.
It's been something that even the most plugged-in insiders have been mentioning as a near-certainty for quite some time. When AD Trev Alberts was asked about the future of the program in a recent media appearance, his carefully-chosen words seemed to portend that a move would be made as well.
However, sometimes appearances are not reality. Texas A&M fans were shocked today to read this statement from Alberts— one that goes against the expectation of almost every fan.
Trev Alberts releases statement backing Michael Earley after weeks of speculation about baseball coaching change
It was a shock to the system to read these words, released by Trev Alberts through Texas A&M Athletics, around 3 PM CT today:
"Earlier today I met with Coach Earley to discuss the state of our baseball program. I appreciate Mike's work in taking a holistic view of what changes need to be made so that we have a baseball program that meets our high standards. Baseball success is critically important to Texas A&M. I am confident in Mike's ability to execute the needed change and fully support his vision going forward."Trev Alberts
While the words "Michael Earley will be the Texas A&M baseball coach next year" were not contained in that statement, it seems they might as well have been. This is all but tantamount to a guarantee that the Aggies will have Earley back as the skipper in 2026.
It's hard to know right now what exactly was the motivating factor in demurring from what seemed to be all but a formality. Was it the passionate defense by Jace LaViolette or other players? Was it a drier-than-expected coaching market? Was it the economic factors that Alberts promised would not be playing a role in this decision?
There will be plenty of debate yet to come on that question. As of right now, it looks like fans need to get ready for another year of the Earley experience.