OMAHA, Neb. — Even though Texas A&M lost in the 2024 College World Series Finals to Tennessee, the Aggies received a lot of praise for making their deepest postseason run.
The program has quickly rebuilt under coach Jim Schlossnagle and in just three seasons has made it to the CWS twice and now has finished as runners-up.
The stock in the Aggies is rising and teams and coaches nationwide are taking notice of what is happening in College Station. Following the 6-5 series-clinching ball game on Monday night, Tennessee coach Tony Vitello praised Schlossnagle, the Aggies and their fanbase in his postgame press conference.
“It clearly could have been either team’s trophy tonight. So congrats to Texas A&M,” Vitello said. “I mean, you cross paths with players in Hoover [at the SEC Tournament] and just on the field. And, in particular, some of their mainstays are just incredibly cool guys.”
Vitello used to be an assistant under Schlossnagle at TCU from 2011-2013 just ahead of one of the most fruitful periods in Horned Frogs baseball. A lot of that success is owed to Vitello invigorating the program’s recruiting abilities.
Since, Vitello has taken over the Tennessee program in 2018 and brought it to national prominence once again. Throughout the week leading into the game, Vitello and Schlossnagle each spoke highly of one another.
Vitello also mentioned how impressed he was with A&M’s fanbase, dubbed the 12th Man.
“Congrats to Coach Schlossnagle and Texas A&M and their fans that have always kind of blown my mind ever since I was at Missouri,” said Vitello.
Vitello mentioned some prior experiences heading to Kyle Field in College Station when his alma mater, Missouri, faced the Aggies.
“We went to a football game there, and it was unbelievable. Everybody was pretty friendly until [Missuori wide receiver] Brad Smith did his thing,” Vitello said. “But Texas A&M’s definitely won their fair share of football games.”