R.C. Slocum

R.C. SlocumR.C. Slocum is the winningest football coach in Texas A&M's history. After his last season at A&M in 2002, he had compiled a career record of 123-47-2 (.721). The 123 victories in his first 14 years ranks eighth all-time and puts him in the company of coaching legends such as Barry Switzer (137), Tom Osborne (137), Steve Spurrier (132), Joe Paterno (131), LaVell Edwards (129), Amos Alonzo Stagg (128), and Bud Wilkerson (124).

Slocum won six championships as head coach of the Aggies; three SWC titles, two Big 12 South Division titles, and the 1998 Big 12 Conference Championship. He was league Coach of the Year four times and was runner up for National Coach of the Year honors in 1994. His teams went to 11 bowl games with five of those being New Year's Day bowls. On 10 occasions, the Aggies, under Slocum, finished ranked in the AP Top 25 and three times finished in the Top Ten. During Slocum's tenure, the Aggies were especially hard to beat at home where they won .854 of their games at Kyle Field. At home, the Aggies compiled 22 and 29 game winning streaks. In conference play, A&M compiled a Southwest Conference record unbeaten streak of 29 games; four straight seasons without at loss. As Texas A&M closed out the Southwest Conference era, Slocum's winning percentage of .865 (44-6-2) was the best in league history besting the .797 percentage set by the legendary Darrel Royal of the University of Texas.

R.C. is a native of Orange, Texas where he was an All-District end at Stark High School. He attended college at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, La. There, he was a four year letterman and set school records for receiving as an end. Following his senior season he was named Most Valuable Lineman. R.C. received his undergraduate degree from McNeese and was a member of Blue Key National Honor Fraternity. He also received a Master of Education Administration. In 2002, he was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus and in 2003 was inducted into the McNeese Athletic Hall of Fame.

Lake Charles High School , in 1968 and 1969 was the first stop in R.C.'s coaching career. From there he went to Kansas State University where he coached the 70 and 71 seasons. In 1972, R.C. started a long association with Texas A&M as an offensive assistant with new head coach Emory Bellard. In 1973, he moved over to the defensive side of the ball as defensive ends coach. Later he would move to coach the linebackers and become defensive coordinator for the 79 and 80 seasons. The next stop, in 1981, was the University of Southern California where R.C. was the defensive coordinator under John Robinson. Slocum's defense led the Pac-10 Conference that year and the team played in the Fiesta Bowl. In 1982, R.C. returned to Texas A&M as defensive coordinator with new head coach Jackie Sherrill. Prior to the 1985 season, Slocum was promoted to Assistant Head Coach. That season saw the Aggies lead the SWC in defense and win the conference championship. The first of three straight championships and foundation of the reckless style of defensive play that later led A&M's defense to be called the "Wrecking Crew".

In 1989, R.C. Slocum was named head football coach at Texas A&M. He coached in the East/West Shrine All Star game, the Japan Bowl, and the Hula Bowl and has been involved in many charities including the Children's Miracle Network, the Peaceable Kingdom Retreat for Children, the Houston Live Stock Show and Rodeo, and Special Olympics. R.C. has also served as a Trustee of the American Football Coaches Association and is currently the President of the American Football Coaches Foundation. Since 2002, R.C has served as a Special Advisor to the President of Texas A&M. In February 2006, Coach Slocum was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

Slocum is married to the former Nel Jennings and has two sons, Shawn Slocum, an assistant football with the Green Bay Packers and John Harvey Slocum, who is in the construction business in College Station. Nel has a son, Randy Jennings.


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“Coach George Smith is not only an influence on young people, but the influence is multiplied many times in the beliefs of the young people he helped mold into amazing human beings. George is an outstanding coach, but more importantly, he is an outstanding gentleman.” —Tina Jones, Principal of St. Thomas Aquinas High School