Texas A&M is set to add another landmark outside Kyle Field in honor of one of the most important figures in program history.
The school announced that a statue of R.C. Slocum will be unveiled Friday, Sept. 4, at 2 p.m. on the north end of Kyle Field, recognizing the former head coach who remains the all-time winningest in Texas A&M football history. Slocum also finished the Southwest Conference era with the league’s best winning percentage, posting a 44-6-2 record for an .865 mark.
Texas A&M University President Susan Ballabina said Slocum’s influence stretched well beyond wins and losses.
"Coach R.C. Slocum's legacy at Texas A&M reaches far beyond the football field," Texas A&M University President Susan Ballabina said.
"His integrity, leadership and commitment to our student athletes have helped shape our university and strengthened our Aggie Spirit for generations. We are proud to honor a coach whose impact continues to inspire our campus and community."
Athletics director Trev Alberts echoed that praise, pointing to Slocum’s standing in Aggie and conference history as well as his continued presence around the program.
"Coach R.C. Slocum is not only the winningest head football coach in Aggie and Southwest Conference history, but he has served Texas A&M selflessly and with great integrity," Aggies Director of Athletics Trev Alberts said.
"Coach Slocum has been a tremendous ambassador for Texas A&M and college football. He has been an invaluable resource for me and continues to stay involved here in Aggieland.
He is very deserving of this honor."
Slocum, in turn, framed the statue as a tribute to everyone who helped shape his run in College Station.
"When I arrived at Texas A&M in 1972, I could never have imagined the journey that lay ahead," Coach R.C. Slocum said.
"The opportunity to coach, teach, and be part of the Aggie family has been one of the greatest blessings of my life. This statue is a tremendous honor, but it really represents the many outstanding players, coaches, colleagues, and Aggies who shared that journey with me.
Nel and I are deeply grateful for the friendships and memories that Texas A&M has given our family, and we will always cherish being a part of Aggieland."
The statue was designed by Steven Whyte of Carmel, California, and commissioned by Fred Caldwell and Brad Freels with support from friends of Slocum and the 12th Man Foundation. Whyte also created the John David Crow statue at the north end of Kyle Field and the War Hymn statue on the east side of the stadium. That War Hymn statue shows 12 Aggie students locking arms and swaying to the chorus of the Aggie War Hymn as a tribute to Aggie students past, present and future.
Slocum’s 14 seasons as head coach tie him with Homer Norton, who coached from 1934-47, for the longest head coaching tenure in Texas A&M history. His 30 years total at Texas A&M, including 16 seasons as an assistant, are the longest football coaching tenure in school history.
His trophy case includes six championships, highlighted by three straight Southwest Conference titles from 1991-93 and Big 12 South championships in 1997 and 1998. He also guided Texas A&M to the 1998 Big 12 Championship, where the Aggies knocked off top-ranked Kansas State in double overtime. The 1994 Aggies also finished with the best record in the Southwest Conference at 10-0-1.
After his coaching career ended, Slocum turned down opportunities elsewhere and stayed in Aggieland as a Special Assistant to the Texas A&M President. He later served two terms as interim Director of Athletics and officially retired on Jan. 2, 2025.
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