Texas

Texas A&M AD details cuts, changes in light of House settlement

Published

3 months ago

June 23, 2025

Texas A&M AD details cuts, changes in light of House settlement

Tony Catalina, Austin American-Statesman
| Hearst – Austin Transition

COLLEGE STATION — Texas A&M athletics plans to trim its department budget by almost $10 million as a result of the recent House v. NCAA settlement, which requires universities to pay their student-athletes.

Trev Alberts, A&M’s athletic director, told reporters Monday about the department’s plan to increase scholarships, reduce spending and staff, and create a new position to deal with the ramifications of the settlement, which calls for student-athletes to be paid by their schools.

Student-athletes were previously able to sign endorsement deals or make salary demands from third parties under loosened name, image and likeness rules. Alberts said he was “really excited about having a hard cap” and excited about work on NIL Go, a clearinghouse that will review NIL deals.

“This (settlement and resulting committee) has to work for the future of college athletics,” Alberts said. “It’s worth saying, you know, an unregulated market that we’ve lived in the last three to four years is not in the best interest of anybody, including the student-athletes.”

A&M’s plan is not finalized, with some savings and cut estimates still being calculated, according to a fact sheet provided by Alberts. The settlement — a result of a 2020 class-action lawsuit against the NCAA — approved by a federal judge earlier this month says that each university must pay athletes $20.5 million out of their revenue-sharing agreements. The decision took over a year to be finalized after the NCAA agreed last May to settle the suit. Texas A&M trimmed several athletics positions in April 2024, just before the NCAA bowed out of its legal fight against revenue sharing.

“I knew that this (settlement) was coming,” he said, “but, you know, I think any time you have a transition, (staff changes are) kind of normal in a sense.”

How Texas A&M is finding the money to pay its players

Alberts, 54, said he felt the department was “a little heavy” in its executive staffing. Hecame to A&M in March 2024 after serving two-plus years as the AD at Nebraska, where he was an All-American linebacker in the 1990s.

The total of the cuts, along with projected revenue increases, will provide an additional $26.5 million in “financial resources,” the fact sheet states. Texas A&M athletics in fiscal year 2024 made $266.4 million in operating revenues and spent a total of $243.7 million, according to public records obtained by kbtx.com in College Station. Most of that $22.7 million in profit was due to football, which raked in more than $118 million compared to $90 million in expenses. That includes over $27 million being paid to former coach Jimbo Fisher, per KBTX.

Football is A&M’s only revenue-creating sport, Alberts said, but revenue-sharing will be spread among six Aggies programs: football, baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, softball and volleyball.

“We’re going to have (a) best-in-class, fair-market value, NIL strategy,” Alberts said. “It’s where I think Texas A&M has a great strategic advantage… bringing all of our combined assets together to create the best fair-market value NIL strategy for all of our student athletes, (that) should be a separator for us.

“How do we leverage the largest living alumni in the SEC?…”

The changes following the settlement are already being felt, said Alberts, who spent over an hour Monday on campus, discussing the future of the school and college athletics as a whole with local media members.

The university’s cuts will come from about $1 million in decreased expenses tied to the number of student-athletes; more than $2 million in cuts for sports teams (roughly 2-8% budget reduction); nearly $4 million, or more, in cuts to department administrative staff, department support and team support staff; and moving away from the $1.8 million provided in Alston Awards, which are four-figure annual funds student-athletes can use for academic-related expenses.

The fact sheet shows a yet-to-be-determined “line-item reduction” in disbursements to the 12th Man Foundation, which funds “scholarships, programs and facilities” in support of A&M athletics. Analysis is also pending on “admin operational savings,” which are budget cuts for support staff.

The department is planning on revenue from $5 million in additional disbursements by the 12th Man Foundation; a new multimedia rights agreement that is expected to bring in $12.5 million; and a potential ninth football conference game. A yet-to-be-determined amount is expected from SEC and College Football Playoff revenue distribution, too.

“… You first put as the North Star: ‘What is in the best long-term interest of Texas A&M and Texas A&M athletics?’ Period,” Alberts said. “This is not ‘What’s in the best interest of Trev Alberts or any other individual or organization.’ It has to be, ‘This is about Texas A&M.’”

The sheet also says the moves will provide sports programs with more autonomy, among other things, and the staffing cuts will make the department more sustainable.

Alberts was on the job for a little over a month when Texas A&M cut 18 student and professional positions last year.

More scholarships for several sports

SEC schools elected to increase scholarships at each school and decrease the money pooled for players, Alberts said Monday. He said because of the vote, the SEC is the only Power Four conference to reduce the $20.5 million cap to $18 million for its member schools.

Texas A&M entered the 2024 athletic calendar with 255 scholarships, and after the court’s ruling, the Aggies will go forward in the 2025-26 school year with 410, an increase of 155 from the previous season.

MORE: Texas A&M football: 3 true freshmen who could contribute on Day 1

Football’s roster sizes will jump to 105 from the original 85 limit, while baseball’s scholarship allocation will more than double to 34 from its previous 11.7 model. Softball, ranked the No. 1 team in the country at time this season, will increase from 12 to 25, and volleyball, which just reeled in one of the top recruits in the nation, from 12 to 18.

Part of that plan is adding a staff member to help coordinate and facilitate expansion into the new NIL space.

“We’re not ready to announce a name, but we are hiring a new position. That’ll be an associate athletic director reporting directly to me that is an attorney, and it’s basically, ‘What is our strategy on how do we leverage every one of our assets?’” Alberts said.

Although men’s outdoor track and field shared a national championship, the Aggies largely struggled as a department in 2024. Football finished the year 8-5 following a 7-1 start; baseball missed the playoffs as a consensus preseason No. 1 and softball and basketball had early exits in their respective postseasons.

Despite a rough first year, results-wise, at the helm, Alberts said all the change favors A&M. The school has one of the largest alumni bases in the country and has thrown millions behind NIL and recruiting efforts the past several years. It’s paid off with top 10 football recruiting classes, including the No. 2 class in the country for 2026.

“I believe this is Texas A&M’s time. This whole situation in college athletics, this is our time to separate and go, and I know I’ve had people say, ‘We’ve heard that a lot,’ but I believe that,” Alberts said. “I believe that, because this is one of the few places in the country that can actually adjust and adapt to this reality in a way that’s better than most. And that’s why I’m here, to be honest with you.”

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Majority of Texas’ SEC Opponents Have Relied on Backup QBs

Published

7 days ago

September 24, 2025

Press Room

Majority of Texas’ SEC Opponents Have Relied on Backup QBs

Sep 20, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) passes the football against the Miami Hurricanes during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images / Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

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Texas emergency response officials gather in College Station to take on healthcare issues

Published

1 week ago

September 23, 2025

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Texas emergency response officials gather in College Station to take on healthcare issues

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – Emergency services leaders from across the State of Texas are in College Station this week to share and learn about best practices.

Officials with emergency services agencies from the Texas-New Mexico border down to Beaumont are in College Station for the Texas EMS Alliance conference.

It’s a three-day conference where EMS agencies ask questions and learn from one another, then take the knowledge back home with them.

EMS agencies across the state of Texas gathered in College Station for the Texas EMS Alliance Conference.(kbtx)

Officials say collaboration of this level is essential for the growth of EMS agencies across the state of Texas.

Adam Gallagher, EMS Chief with Robertson County EST, said the conference is jam-packed with opportunities to learn, network, bounce ideas, and problem-solve.

“We feel like we’re kind of running into the same problems, but we didn’t know we were until we all got together in the same group to be able to discuss and go, ‘yeah, I’m seeing that problem too. Let’s figure out how to fix it.’ And this program- this organization, this conference- does that for us,” he explained.

A significant issue for agencies across the state, according to Gallagher, is rural healthcare funding. That’s why they are being taught how to best push for advocacy.

He added that there hasn’t been a hospital with an emergency room in all of Robertson County since before the year 2000.

Emergency service officials across Texas gather to solve shared challenges and bring life-saving ideas back to their communities.

Butch Oberhoff, president of the Texas EMS Alliance, said this makes it more challenging for EMS officers to provide life-saving care. That’s why collaboration is key.

“‘What can we do to save more lives in Texas?’ And the ‘Whole Blood Initiative’ sort of was produced from that, and now Texas leads the nation in providing whole blood in the pre-hospital environment. We’re saving lives, we’re saving health care dollars, believe it or not,” said Oberhoff.

The Whole Blood Initiative is a program that supplies EMS agencies with life-saving blood for emergency trauma care. It’s a resource especially needed for rural healthcare agencies that lack the resources available in bigger cities.

The Whole Blood Initiative aims to equip EMS agencies with the necessary life-saving blood.(kbtx)

“Rural healthcare is especially challenging in any rural part of Texas. But by having a voice and working with other EMS agencies, we can bring resources back to those communities,” Oberhoff furthered.

It’s an issue we’re also seeing in Robertson and Leon counties.

“We’re not a fancy service. We’re not flashy, but there’s things that we do that take the taxpayers into consideration, and that’s why it’s important that we don’t put the burden on them; that we come here and we talk and we advocate, and we go to the state and we say we need federal funding for these things,” added Gallagher.

Texas House Representative Tom Oliverson (R-District 130) made an appearance as a keynote speaker, honing in on the importance of rural health care funding across Texas.

Gallagher told KBTX a portion of the $50 billion from the Trump administration’s Big Beautiful Bill will be allocated toward funding rural healthcare.

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ASU football report card: Sun Devils regroup with big win over Texas State

Published

2 weeks ago

September 14, 2025

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ASU football report card: Sun Devils regroup with big win over Texas State

The Arizona State Sun Devils were pushed by Texas State last season, but led from start to finish when the teams squared off on Sept. 13 in Tempe. ASU prevailed 34-15 in front of a sellout crowd at Mountain America Stadium.

ASU (2-1) led 20-3 at the half, then scored on its first possession of the third quarter to take a 27-3 lead that was never in jeopardy.

“Establishing the run was huge, and a couple of the first early drives, we were trying to figure it out,” ASU coach Kenny Dillingham said. “Running the ball is one of those things that you have to be dedicated to because of the move in the game.

“Everybody moves a little differently on the defensive line. You have got to figure it out. So once we got to figure it out, our guys did a good job, and then we simplified the plan. We probably cut our play sheet down by about 25-30%, if not a little more. We really made sure that our guys were all dialed in and all on the same page, and it showed.”

What went right

More pass catchers involved: Much has been made of the reliance on junior WR Jordyn Tyson in the first two games. Dillingham said he was going to get more players “involved,” using that word as many as seven times in answering that question early in the week. Against Texas State, five players had catches and two others were targeted, with tight end Chamon Metayer recording a career-high six catches.

Defensive line pressured the passer: The Sun Devils totaled five sacks, the most in a game since a 2023 contest against Colorado, when they also had five. There were several other occasions when QB Brad Jackson was hurried. Jackson only ended up going 25-for-36 for 184 yards, after coming in averaging 250. He also had a fumble.

Running game set the tone: Raleek Brown ran for a career-high 144 yards — highlighted by a sparkling 75-yard touchdown run — on just 12 carries. Leavitt scrambled for 59. Five players factored in the rushing total as Dillingham pulled his starters late in the fourth quarter.

Jumped out to an early lead: Last week, ASU allowed Mississippi State to jump out to a 17-0 lead, and it was an uphill climb after that. The first drive ended with a failed fourth-down try at the Texas State 35, and the Sun Devils settled for a field goal on the second, but got rolling after that and were never really challenged.

Got a momentum-changing takeaway: Up 10-3, ASU got a fumble recovery by Myles Rowser and turned that into a touchdown that gave the host team a 17-3 lead. The Sun Devils were sixth in the country in turnover margin last season, but managed only one in the first two games, and it wasn’t an impactful one.

What went wrong

Offensive line still struggling: Leavitt was sacked three times, and there were a handful of other occasions where he had to escape the pocket or get off a throw earlier than he would have liked.

Third-down conversions need to be better: This was a major problem in the first two games as ASU converted only five of 24. It did slightly better, going 5-for-13, but that number still should be better.

Plays called back: ASU only had five penalties for 40 yards, so that was a positive, but once again, a touchdown was wiped off the board. This time, it was a 98-yard kickoff return for an apparent touchdown by Jaren Hamilton that was nullified by a holding call on Alfred Smith. ASU ended up scoring on the possession anyway.

Grades

Offense (B): ASU totaled 433 yards, exceeding its season average of 395.5. That consisted of 245 on the ground and 188 through the air. ASU worked to establish the run early, unlike in previous weeks when they leaned more toward throwing the ball. ASU averaged 6.5 yards per play. Tyson had six catches for 105 yards.

Defense (B): ASU held Texas State to 303 yards and did not give up big plays. The longest play it allowed was a 24-yard run by the quarterback. It had five sacks and got a takeaway. The Sun Devils also got two fourth-down stops. LB Jordan Crook had 12 tackles, 3.5 for a loss, while S Myles Rowser had 10 and a fumble recovery. Keyshaun Elliott and Adrian Wilson each had seven tackles.

Special Teams (D): Matt McKenzie averaged 35.5 on two kicks. He was subbing for the injured Kanyon Floyd and is new to the position. His first was for just 33 yards. It gave the Bobcats good enough field position that they were able to try a field goal on the last play of the first half, although it was short. Jesus Gomez made his lone try from 47 yards. The grade is also docked a bit because of the holding penalty that nullified a touchdown return.

Personnel notes

RB Kyson Brown, WR Jalen Moss, DL Zac Swanson, S Xavion Alford and P Kanyon Floyd were out with injuries. That was in addition to the players lost for the season in DB Plas Johnson (knee) and DL MyKeil Gardner (foot). Adrian “Boogie” Wilson got his first ASU start in place of Alford while Australian newcomer Matt McKenzie subbed for Floyd.

They said it

“I was grateful with what happened at Mississippi State. If we had come out of there with a W, we wouldn’t have attacked the week the way we did. Little issues would have gotten blown over, so those came to show and we honed in on those things and were able to band together as a team. That second half against Mississippi State carried over into this game. We have to figure out how to build upon this and keep the same mojo.” — Leavitt

“It means a lot. I’ve been working for like two years, or a year and a half. I’ve been working a lot. I just thank coaches and everybody who believed in me to play running back and just keep going. It meant a lot.”

— ASU RB Raleek Brown on his big game after missing last season due to injury

“That was definitely our focus all week. With the second half of last week, we kind of saw who we were. I think once we realized that, all week the focus was to come out here and get back to playing our type of ball. And I feel like we went out there and did that tonight.”

— ASU LB Jordan Crook, on needing a convincing win