History of Texas A&M Aggies football in Timeline

Texas A&M Aggies football is the American football team representing Texas A&M University. As a member of the NCAA's FBS and the SEC's Western Division, the Aggies compete at the highest level of collegiate football. The program boasts a history that includes three national championships and 18 conference titles. Their home games are played at Kyle Field, one of the largest stadiums in college football, with a capacity of over 102,000.

1939: AP Poll National Championship

Texas A&M has been selected national champions in three seasons from NCAA-designated major selectors, including the AP Poll national championship in 1939. Texas A&M claims all three championships.

1972: Longest Losing Streak Since 1972

In 2022, The Aggies suffered through a six-game losing streak during the season. 2022 marked the first time the Aggies had lost six consecutive games since the 1972 season.

1998: Most Wins Since 1998

In the 2006 season, the Aggies rebounded under Franchione, posting a 9–3 regular season record that included Franchione's first win over rival Texas. The 9–3 record also marked the most wins for A&M since 1998.

2002: Slocum Resigns and Assumes Advisor Role

In 2002, after 14 years as head coach and following only the second non-winning season of his career, Slocum was asked to resign from the Aggies. He then took on the position of special advisor to Texas A&M president Robert Gates in 2002.

2003: Franchione Hired as Head Coach

In 2003, Dennis Franchione replaced the ousted Slocum as head coach, bringing the majority of his coaching staff from Alabama.

2003: Aggies Finish with Losing Record

The Aggies finished the 2003 season with a 4–8 record, including a 77–0 loss to Oklahoma, which was the worst loss in A&M's history. The 2003 season also marked the first losing season for the Aggies after 21 years.

2004: Aggies Improve to 7-5

In the 2004 season, the team improved to a 7–5 record and advanced to the Cotton Bowl Classic, where they lost to Tennessee. Following the bowl game, A&M officials extended Franchione's contract through 2012 and raised his salary to $2 million.

June 2005: Franchione Donates to Athletic Department

In June 2005, Franchione donated $1 million to the A&M athletic department. The donation went toward the construction of an indoor practice facility.

2005: Aggies Regress and Defense Struggles

In the 2005 season, the Aggies regressed to a 5–6 record. The Aggie defense ranked 107th nationally, leading to the dismissal of defensive coordinator Carl Torbush.

2006: Aggies Rebound with 9-3 Record

In the 2006 season, the Aggies rebounded under Franchione, posting a 9–3 regular season record, marking the most wins for A&M since 1998. However, Franchione was criticized for a field goal call during the Oklahoma game.

September 2007: Franchione's Coaching Abilities Questioned

In September 2007, after a loss to Miami, Franchione's coaching abilities were questioned, and it was reported he would not return for the 2008 season.

2008: Franchione Departure

Following the 2007 season, several news outlets reported that Franchione would not return for the 2008 season. Gary Darnell was named the interim head coach.

2010: Aggies Finish Strong and Earn Bowl Berth

After starting the 2010 season 3–3, the Aggies won their final six games and earned a share of the Big 12 South Division title. They lost to LSU in the Cotton Bowl. After the season, A&M signed Sherman a contract extension through the 2015 season.

2010: Franchione's Contract End Date

Dennis Franchione's contract, which was set to pay him a yearly salary of $1.7 million, was to run through 2010.

November 12, 2011: Loss to Kansas State in Overtime

On November 12, 2011, Texas A&M lost 53–50 after 4 overtimes to Kansas State University, the most overtimes in program history until 2018.

November 19, 2011: Aggies Become Bowl-Eligible

On November 19, 2011, the Aggies defeated Kansas 61–7 and became bowl-eligible for a third straight season.

November 24, 2011: Loss to Texas in Final Rivalry Game

On November 24, 2011, the Aggies lost at home to Texas by a score of 27–25, in what would be the last game of the rivalry for the foreseeable future, as the Aggies were to join the SEC beginning in 2012.

December 1, 2011: Sherman Fired as Head Coach

On December 1, 2011, Sherman was fired by Texas A&M. The Aggies compiled a record of 25–25 during Sherman's four-year tenure.

December 13, 2011: Sumlin Hired as Head Coach

On December 13, 2011, A&M hired Houston head coach Kevin Sumlin as the program's 28th head football coach, the first African American head coach in Texas A&M football history.

2012: Contract Extension for Franchione

Following the 2004 season, A&M officials extended Franchione's contract through 2012 and raised his salary to $2 million.

2012: Successful Season Led by Manziel

In 2012, Sumlin led the Aggies to an 11–2 record, including victories over Alabama and Oklahoma in the AT&T Cotton Bowl. Johnny Manziel won the Heisman Trophy, and the Aggies finished the season ranked in the top 5.

2012: Aggies Join the SEC

The Aggies joined the SEC in 2012.

November 30, 2013: Sumlin Signs Contract Extension

On November 30, 2013, A&M signed Sumlin to a six-year, $30 million contract extension.

2013: Fisher Wins National Championship

On December 4, 2017, Jimbo Fisher arrived in College Station after a very successful eight-year run at FSU, leading the Seminoles to the 2013 national championship.

2013: Fisher's Orange Bowl Win with FSU

On January 2, 2021, Texas A&M faced the #13 North Carolina Tar Heels football team at the 2021 Orange Bowl, where the Aggies won 41–27. The victory produced a combined 3–0 Orange Bowl record for Fisher following his previous successful outings with the Florida State Seminoles football team at the 2013 Orange Bowls.

2014: Forbes Value Recognition

Despite A&M football's struggles during the Sumlin era, the program was recognized by Forbes in August 2018 as the most valuable in the country, based on average revenue and profit figures from the 2014–16 seasons.

2014: Aggies Finish Season 8-5

For the 2014 season, the Aggies finished the season 8–5 overall and 3–5 in SEC play. After the season, Sumlin dismissed his defensive coordinator, Mark Snyder, and replaced him with John Chavis.

2015: Contract Extension for Sherman

After the 2010 season, A&M signed Sherman a contract extension through the 2015 season. His salary was raised to $2.2 million.

2015: Another 8-5 Finish for Aggies

In 2015, A&M again finished 8–5. The season was marked by a strong start with struggles to close the season. A&M finished the season with a loss to Louisville in the Music City Bowl.

2016: Fisher's Orange Bowl Win with FSU

2016: Third Consecutive 8-5 Season

Sumlin led the Aggies to a third consecutive 8–5 mark in 2016. Texas A&M finished the 2016 season with a loss to Kansas State in the Texas Bowl.

November 26, 2017: Sumlin Fired as Head Coach

On November 26, 2017, Sumlin was fired from the position after his team finished 7–5.

December 4, 2017: Fisher Introduced as Head Coach

On December 4, 2017, Jimbo Fisher was formally introduced as the Aggies head coach. A&M signed Fisher to a 10-year contract worth $75 million.

August 2018: Program Valued Nationally

In August 2018, the program was recognized by Forbes as the most valuable in the country, based on average revenue and profit figures from the 2014–16 seasons.

November 24, 2018: Record Overtime Victory

On November 24, 2018, Texas A&M had a record 7-overtime 74–72 victory over Louisiana State University.

2018: Aggies Finish with 9-4 Record

In 2018, Fisher led the Aggies to a 9–4 record. The season included a seven-overtime victory over LSU.

2018: Elko Serves as Defensive Coordinator

On November 26, 2023, Duke head coach Mike Elko was officially named as the new Aggies head coach. Elko had prior ties to Texas A&M, serving as Jimbo Fisher's defensive coordinator from 2018 to 2021.

December 27, 2019: Aggies Win Texas Bowl

On December 27, 2019, Texas A&M defeated #25 Oklahoma State 24–21 at the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bowl.

2020: Improved Season Despite Pandemic

The Aggies improved substantially in 2020 despite the challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, finishing with a 9–1 overall result and a #5 national ranking.

January 2, 2021: Aggies Win Orange Bowl

On January 2, 2021, Texas A&M faced the #13 North Carolina Tar Heels football team at the 2021 Orange Bowl, where the Aggies won 41–27.

January 2021: Fisher Receives New Contract

In January 2021, following the Orange Bowl victory, A&M gave Fisher a new ten-year contract worth $95 million.

October 9, 2021: Upset Victory over Alabama

On October 9, 2021, Texas A&M had an upset 41–38 win over the #1 Alabama Crimson Tide football team.

November 6, 2021: Victory over Auburn Tigers

On November 6, 2021, Texas A&M had a 20–3 rout of the Auburn Tigers football team.

2021: Elko Serves as Defensive Coordinator

On November 26, 2023, Duke head coach Mike Elko was officially named as the new Aggies head coach. Elko had prior ties to Texas A&M, serving as Jimbo Fisher's defensive coordinator from 2018 to 2021.

2022: Disappointing Season and Coaching Changes

In 2022, the Aggies lost six of their first nine games and suffered a six-game losing streak, finishing with a 5–7 mark. Fisher gave up play-calling duties and hired Bobby Petrino as offensive coordinator.

November 12, 2023: Fisher Fired as Head Coach

On November 12, 2023, Fisher was fired as Aggies head coach after having a 6–4 record through 10 games in the 2023 season. His contract was bought out for $77.5 million.

November 26, 2023: Elko Named Head Coach

On November 26, 2023, Mike Elko was officially named as the new Aggies head coach. Elko signed a six-year contract with A&M worth $7 million annually.

2024: Elko's Inaugural Season

In 2024, Elko wrapped up his inaugural season at Texas A&M with a 5-3 SEC record and 8-5 overall standing, including a 4OT loss to Auburn. This result was good enough to face USC in a competitive 2024 Las Vegas Bowl, which the Aggies ultimately lost 31-35.