Did Texas A&M take swipe at Texas coach Jim Schlossnagle in new commercial about ‘loyalty’?

The Texas-Texas A&M rivalry has no bounds and zero chill. Take the latest in-house commercial from A&M as proof positive the rivalry is alive and well.

Nobody show this to Texas baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle, either.

Each year, schools produce advertisements, known as “PSAs” or public service announcements, to promote themselves during televised athletic events. A&M released their 2024 version on YouTube on Tuesday featuring multiple Aggies from all parts of the campus.

“What does Texas A&M University stand for?,” the narrator begins. “We stand for excellence, respect and loyalty.”

When the word “loyalty” is said, an image of two Texas A&M baseball players appear on camera, smiling from the dugout at Blue Bell Park.

There’s no question that loyalty has long been part of the Aggie culture, so that’s no surprise. But there’s simply no way to see this collision of image and voiceover as anything more than a shot at Schlossnagle, who left A&M for its chief rival this summer after the College World Series.

It’s a clever shot, indeed. Hat tip to the director and production crew.

Schlossnagle’s move to Texas came days after he guided the Aggies to the CWS championship series. The A&M fan base went apoplectic. Schlossnagle agreed to a seven-year contract worth $15.4 million that will put on him on pace to become the highest paid in the SEC.

Initially, it was thought that Schlossnagle would bring his entire coaching staff with him. And they all came, at least for the introductory press conference. But Michael Earley had a change of heart and accepted the now-vacant head coaching position in College Station.

The whole uproar only turbo-charged the Longhorns and Aggies’ rivalry as the two schools are now competing in the SEC.

Cotton Holdings Inc. capitalized on the fervor by agreeing to become the new title sponsor for the Lone Star Showdown, a head-to-head contest between the two schools. At the end of the athletic year, a trophy will be given to the side with more head-to-head wins in all athletic contests.

Related: How does the new Lone Star Showdown work between the Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies?

The SEC sent the Texas football team to Kyle Field first on Nov. 30. Then, the basketball schedule came out, and the UT men’s basketball team will open league play on the road as well.

Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte said earlier this month that he’s open to a split-series format with baseball, like in the old Big 12 days. Texas A&M would host Game 1 of the three-game series, and Games 2 and 3 would be played at Texas. The formal would flip the following year.

As of now, the Longhorns “will welcome Texas A&M to Disch-Falk Field,” Del Conte said.