AUSTIN (KXAN) — He helped lead Texas A&M to a runner-up finish at the Men’s College World Series, left for their rival program in Austin, and ultimately returned all within a week. To say Michael Earley has had a hectic past seven days would be an egregious understatement.
Earley was officially introduced as the Aggies’ head baseball coach Tuesday, replacing Jim Schlossnagle who left to take over the Texas Longhorns after the A&M’s first-ever MCWS championship series appearance. He spent almost a week as the Longhorns’ hitting coach following Schlossnagle over, but in the end, he said he “found out a lot about myself,” during this head-spinning process.
“I’m glad I’m here, and they’ve asked me how long I want to be here, and I’m just trying to win my first game,” he said. “I want to win a lot of baseball games and be here for a long time.”
It’s Earley’s first head coaching job, but it’s one he said, “he’s been preparing for every day.” Prior to his three seasons under Schlossnagle as the Aggies’ hitting coach, he spent four years in the same post during five total seasons with Arizona State. He helped the Sun Devils lead the nation in home runs in 2019 and in his three years for the Aggies, the club has belted more than 300 homers. The results are there, but there was something else that Aggies athletic director Trev Alberts said about Earley that moved the needle on his hiring.
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“His leadership with the team during the course of the year was pretty evident,” Alberts said. “I knew the players respected him, and that’s really important. You have to hire coaches in this day and age that players identify with. The way Michael laid out a vision and how self-aware he was. He knew where his blind spots are. After the first Zoom I did with him, I was pleasantly surprised.”
Alberts said it was after the first meeting with Earley that he became a serious candidate for the job. As the process continued, it became more clear that — with unwavering player support — it was Earley’s time.
Earley’s philosophy is to develop the person first and the ballplayer second and Alberts said that was a big reason he was drawn to Earley. He said he talked to the players and asked their thoughts about what they want in the next coach.
“They wanted somebody who loves them,” Alberts said. “They want somebody who pours into them and cares about them more than just a baseball player. It’s the servant leadership piece. The players earned the right to have a voice. It doesn’t mean they’re hiring the coach, but they’ve earned the right. “
Of all the players who entered the transfer portal with Schlossnagle leaving, Earley has been working on getting them back to College Station. Infielder Gavin Grahovac, who had a tremendous freshman season for the Aggies this year, withdrew his name from the portal and is coming back, and Earley hopes that’s just the start.
“We’re still working through some stuff with guys, and it’s been interesting, to say the least,” he said. “It’s like you’re re-recruiting guys you’ve already recruited. It’s an interesting process but I like where we’re at with it.”
Earley is also recruiting guys from other places, too. Former Texas Longhorn and Texas Tech Red Raider infielder Gavin Kash said Tuesday he’ll join the Aggies next season.