June 5, 2025 • 11 mins
Today, the guys talk to Texas Longhorns’ baseball Head Coach, Jim Schlossnagle, and discuss the biggest takeaways from the season. What will the offseason look like in recruiting and dealing with roster replacement? What will the emphasis be for the team during the offseason? What conversations has he had with, and will he have with the players on the team? How does he deal with players who desire to play but still need development time? His reaction to the Softball team’s first victory. You can hear it all here on “The Morning Kickoff Show!”
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
But right now, let's talk to the Texas baseball coach,
Jim Slasnagel coach. What an unbelievable season. Unfortunately it came
to an end the other night. But looking back on
this season and the year that was starting from you
taking the job to where we are today, what are
some of your biggest takeaways from this year?
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Yeah, thanks for having me on. You know, the probably
the biggest takeaway, Number one would be just the elite
human beings that we were fortunate enough to coach this
past year. They're going from barely having a roster put
together to everybody just getting to meet each other and
know each.
Speaker 3 (00:43):
Other, and then having the total buy in from.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
The players and the leadership group of this team, and
then how they performed, you know, in the first year
in the SEC. Well, something is something that will never
be you know, forgotten on my end, and I don't
think on their either. So from where we started to
where we are, it's a really great positive step for
(01:07):
the program. But at the same time, it's hard to
get in the position where we were in where you're
hosting a regional and doing that even though we knew
we were a little bit on thin ice. From an
injury standpoint, and it just felt like when you get
in that spot, you want to win, and nobody wants
(01:29):
to sit at home and watch other people play on television.
So disappointing, man, But I think we'll look back on
it hopefully feel like it was a massive billion block
and step forward for the program.
Speaker 4 (01:41):
Coach two part question one. With the season going the
way that it did and being as you said, you know,
kind of rushed into getting things, are you looking forward
to being able to have the time to put together
the team and everything the way you want it, and
also what is the biggest point of interest for you
(02:04):
this off season?
Speaker 2 (02:08):
Well, I would rather be I mean, we're crazy busy
right now trying to reshape the roster for next year.
I would rather be more more crazy busy and still
be playing and uh and figure it out along as
we go. But but yeah, it's a there's a little
we're able to be a little more specific with exactly
(02:31):
what we would like to get in recruiting, whether it
be the transfer portal or holding on to the kids
we've signed. So we're I think it was like seven
forty five in the morning in the morning after.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
We lost the other night, and our office was full
of people.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
Banging it out, trying to try and see who's going
into portal, see who's not. We had to have exit
meetings with our own players and see what their plans are.
And so, as you know in college athletics, this is
super important time of year. So we're going to need
to sign depending on the Major League Draft.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
And what some of our players decide to do, We're.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
Gonna we have probably four or five position players to
sign and three to four pitchers, you know, in the
transfer portal, and all that is depending on the Major
League Draft and what people are deciding to do.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
We're talking to Texas Baseball coach Jim Slasnagel recapping the
season and talking about moving forward, and coach you talked
about it. You know, people don't truly understand what it's
like during this time of the offseason. Obviously you wanted
to continue to be playing, but now you have to
(03:45):
flip the script. As you said in your postgame interview
with Roger Wallace about how quick things need to turn
around and the movement players have entered the transfer portal,
you guys have to look and see who's leaving, who's
coming in. It's pretty much a non stop affair right now, right.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
Yeah, this is actually people say, wow, aren't you busy
during the season, And I mean we are with baseball
and practice and travel and games, but uh, the summer
and early you know, the month of June, July and
maybe the first week in August or the the busiest
times of the year we have. It's not like we
get to go on vacation when the season's over. It's
it's it's triple to work, honestly. So you know, we
(04:30):
sat down, I mean I sat down with every player
on our team and and the honest thing to do
is to give them an evaluation of where we see
them in the program, and then they can make a
decision on what's best for them. Uh. And almost all
those ninety nine percent of those conversations are super positive.
(04:51):
Young you know, there's young people that want to want
to stay and but they also want the opportunity to play.
And so we we we look at each individual situation
and give them the best advice.
Speaker 3 (05:02):
They can so they can make a decision. And then
and then.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
Obviously we're looking at seeing who's out who's out there
and wants to fill the needs that we have at Texas,
and and again we're still trying to hold on to
some of the guys that that we've signed in high
school that are that that'll be draftable players. The problem
is the draft is until July, right in the transfer
and the transferred portal closes the end of June. So
(05:27):
it's a very delicate balancing act in which you don't
always know the rules and we still don't even know
the rules for what next year is going to look like.
Is this this this house settlement hasn't been decided yet,
So imagine playing football and well, you know, a first
down might be ten yards, but it might be eight, but.
Speaker 3 (05:47):
It could be the team, right, we'll we'll let you
know when we get there.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
So I mean, the we we just literally don't know
the rules yet. So it's it's really tough, honestly.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
Till Monny, you said that about the draft five years
ago yesterday, I was drafted and the draft would go
up to I think it was forty to fifty rounds.
Now we getting twenty rounds, and then you got to
deal with those types of players. So I totally understand
what you're going through.
Speaker 4 (06:16):
Go ahead, Mark, coach, how do you deal with a
situation where you have a player and you know that
player needs to develop, but they want to play right now.
But you are like, I need to get somebody that
understands the way that I want it done right now,
because not only do we want to win right now,
I want to develop you into being the guy so
(06:39):
next year when that guy leaves, you're ready.
Speaker 2 (06:45):
Yeah, it's tough because you know, guys want to play,
and I get it. You know, my job is to
balance two things. We want to We do want to
develop our own players over the course of time, but
I'm also coach and at the University of Texas, and
we are charged. You know, we're challenged to win and
(07:07):
be in Omaha, if not every year, pretty darn close
to it. And in today's college baseball, that's awful hard
to do with and abundance of young and experienced players
doesn't mean it can't happen. It just means it's a
balancing act. So you know, we're going to try. The
(07:29):
recruiting class that we've had the most impact on is
the twenty twenty sixth class, the guys that are going
to be seniors this next year. That class is super talented.
So we're probably going to have a pretty decent.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
Portal class this year just to kind of transition.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
This over and then next year, if we can hold
on to even half of that twenty sixth class, we
really have the chance to change the direction of the
program from a talent standpoint.
Speaker 4 (07:56):
Do you have to have that conversation often?
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Oh? Yeah, yeah, I mean I have it with each
individual kid and kind of.
Speaker 3 (08:06):
Give them an idea of where they stand, and.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
Then if they want to if they want to stay
and continue to develop and see what happens, they.
Speaker 3 (08:15):
Do, and sometimes they want to go somewhere.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
Else and play, and that's okay too, There's.
Speaker 3 (08:19):
Nothing there's nothing wrong with that.
Speaker 1 (08:22):
Well, especially the way that the the game, not the game,
but college athletics is set up, there will be plenty
of opportunity for all of these players to get a
chance to play. If there was one area of need,
I think I know the answer to this, but I'd
be crazy not to ask you one area of need
(08:43):
that you will be focusing on that is in both
the class that you're talking about and in the transfer portal.
It would be what.
Speaker 2 (08:53):
Well, I don't know how you replace them, but we
if you know, we just don't assuming that Ryle and
Galvan is going to sign, which we don't know that.
You know, we have to be really good behind the plate.
Speaker 3 (09:07):
Yep.
Speaker 2 (09:08):
Same thing at shortstop with you know, replacing Jalen Flores
depending on what he wants to do, which you know,
those guys are still trying to get as money as
much information as they can. We obviously would love to
have him back, but you got to start in the
middle of the field. We got to replace. We need
a corner at least one outfield corner back and then
(09:29):
and then obviously pitching to fulfill the needs we have
so uh, but certainly catchers. There's never been a good
baseball team without a good catcher and a good softball
team as we saw last night.
Speaker 1 (09:40):
Speaking of that, I just wanted to bring that up.
You saw the situation, Number one, what did you think
of the crazy call as second base? But more importantly,
what did you think of Reese Atwood pulling a Kelly
Leak and going across and getting that big knob.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
Well on the play at second base? I don't I'm
not well versed on the rules of softball relative to baseball.
If that's a baseball play. I'm not making it out
of the game.
Speaker 3 (10:08):
I mean, that's just.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
There's no there's no chance that's obstruction. In no world,
in no world in a baseball game is that obstruction.
But I don't know the softball rules with regard to that,
so I probably shouldn't say anything, but I already did,
so whatever. And then on the three on the three
zero swing, the first one was right down the middle,
(10:35):
and so I think, I don't know Reeve, I don't
know what was going through her mind or if Coach
White gave her the green light, but she probably saw
that first one and said, hey, man, this might if
she throws another one closed, this might be the best
chance I had to drive this running. And man, what
that's so stinking awesome man, for to have the fearlessness
(10:59):
to do that, right, because she could have swung at
it and popped it up and there would be fans saying,
what are you doing? They're trying to put you on
the base. But when you're in those moments, man, you
have to go for it and you can't play scared.
And man, that's so great and a great, great lesson
for our team.
Speaker 3 (11:17):
To learn from.
Speaker 4 (11:18):
No doubt about it.
Speaker 1 (11:19):
We were talking about it, I said the same thing.
I was like, Coach had to trust her to do
the right thing, and she did and it came up clutch.
Speaker 4 (11:28):
Sometimes it's best to ask for forgiveness that improvement. As always, Coach,
we appreciate you have a great off season and we
look forward to doing this more.
Speaker 1 (11:41):
Maybe even more during the summer. I'll make sure and
stay in contact.
Speaker 2 (11:45):
Okay, take care, guys. That great summer.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
Yeah, I appreciate it.
But right now, let's talk to the Texas baseball coach,
Jim Slasnagel coach. What an unbelievable season. Unfortunately it came
to an end the other night. But looking back on
this season and the year that was starting from you
taking the job to where we are today, what are
some of your biggest takeaways from this year?
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Yeah, thanks for having me on. You know, the probably
the biggest takeaway, Number one would be just the elite
human beings that we were fortunate enough to coach this
past year. They're going from barely having a roster put
together to everybody just getting to meet each other and
know each.
Speaker 3 (00:43):
Other, and then having the total buy in from.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
The players and the leadership group of this team, and
then how they performed, you know, in the first year
in the SEC. Well, something is something that will never
be you know, forgotten on my end, and I don't
think on their either. So from where we started to
where we are, it's a really great positive step for
(01:07):
the program. But at the same time, it's hard to
get in the position where we were in where you're
hosting a regional and doing that even though we knew
we were a little bit on thin ice. From an
injury standpoint, and it just felt like when you get
in that spot, you want to win, and nobody wants
(01:29):
to sit at home and watch other people play on television.
So disappointing, man, But I think we'll look back on
it hopefully feel like it was a massive billion block
and step forward for the program.
Speaker 4 (01:41):
Coach two part question one. With the season going the
way that it did and being as you said, you know,
kind of rushed into getting things, are you looking forward
to being able to have the time to put together
the team and everything the way you want it, and
also what is the biggest point of interest for you
(02:04):
this off season?
Speaker 2 (02:08):
Well, I would rather be I mean, we're crazy busy
right now trying to reshape the roster for next year.
I would rather be more more crazy busy and still
be playing and uh and figure it out along as
we go. But but yeah, it's a there's a little
we're able to be a little more specific with exactly
(02:31):
what we would like to get in recruiting, whether it
be the transfer portal or holding on to the kids
we've signed. So we're I think it was like seven
forty five in the morning in the morning after.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
We lost the other night, and our office was full
of people.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
Banging it out, trying to try and see who's going
into portal, see who's not. We had to have exit
meetings with our own players and see what their plans are.
And so, as you know in college athletics, this is
super important time of year. So we're going to need
to sign depending on the Major League Draft.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
And what some of our players decide to do, We're.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
Gonna we have probably four or five position players to
sign and three to four pitchers, you know, in the
transfer portal, and all that is depending on the Major
League Draft and what people are deciding to do.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
We're talking to Texas Baseball coach Jim Slasnagel recapping the
season and talking about moving forward, and coach you talked
about it. You know, people don't truly understand what it's
like during this time of the offseason. Obviously you wanted
to continue to be playing, but now you have to
(03:45):
flip the script. As you said in your postgame interview
with Roger Wallace about how quick things need to turn
around and the movement players have entered the transfer portal,
you guys have to look and see who's leaving, who's
coming in. It's pretty much a non stop affair right now, right.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
Yeah, this is actually people say, wow, aren't you busy
during the season, And I mean we are with baseball
and practice and travel and games, but uh, the summer
and early you know, the month of June, July and
maybe the first week in August or the the busiest
times of the year we have. It's not like we
get to go on vacation when the season's over. It's
it's it's triple to work, honestly. So you know, we
(04:30):
sat down, I mean I sat down with every player
on our team and and the honest thing to do
is to give them an evaluation of where we see
them in the program, and then they can make a
decision on what's best for them. Uh. And almost all
those ninety nine percent of those conversations are super positive.
(04:51):
Young you know, there's young people that want to want
to stay and but they also want the opportunity to play.
And so we we we look at each individual situation
and give them the best advice.
Speaker 3 (05:02):
They can so they can make a decision. And then
and then.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
Obviously we're looking at seeing who's out who's out there
and wants to fill the needs that we have at Texas,
and and again we're still trying to hold on to
some of the guys that that we've signed in high
school that are that that'll be draftable players. The problem
is the draft is until July, right in the transfer
and the transferred portal closes the end of June. So
(05:27):
it's a very delicate balancing act in which you don't
always know the rules and we still don't even know
the rules for what next year is going to look like.
Is this this this house settlement hasn't been decided yet,
So imagine playing football and well, you know, a first
down might be ten yards, but it might be eight, but.
Speaker 3 (05:47):
It could be the team, right, we'll we'll let you
know when we get there.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
So I mean, the we we just literally don't know
the rules yet. So it's it's really tough, honestly.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
Till Monny, you said that about the draft five years
ago yesterday, I was drafted and the draft would go
up to I think it was forty to fifty rounds.
Now we getting twenty rounds, and then you got to
deal with those types of players. So I totally understand
what you're going through.
Speaker 4 (06:16):
Go ahead, Mark, coach, how do you deal with a
situation where you have a player and you know that
player needs to develop, but they want to play right now.
But you are like, I need to get somebody that
understands the way that I want it done right now,
because not only do we want to win right now,
I want to develop you into being the guy so
(06:39):
next year when that guy leaves, you're ready.
Speaker 2 (06:45):
Yeah, it's tough because you know, guys want to play,
and I get it. You know, my job is to
balance two things. We want to We do want to
develop our own players over the course of time, but
I'm also coach and at the University of Texas, and
we are charged. You know, we're challenged to win and
(07:07):
be in Omaha, if not every year, pretty darn close
to it. And in today's college baseball, that's awful hard
to do with and abundance of young and experienced players
doesn't mean it can't happen. It just means it's a
balancing act. So you know, we're going to try. The
(07:29):
recruiting class that we've had the most impact on is
the twenty twenty sixth class, the guys that are going
to be seniors this next year. That class is super talented.
So we're probably going to have a pretty decent.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
Portal class this year just to kind of transition.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
This over and then next year, if we can hold
on to even half of that twenty sixth class, we
really have the chance to change the direction of the
program from a talent standpoint.
Speaker 4 (07:56):
Do you have to have that conversation often?
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Oh? Yeah, yeah, I mean I have it with each
individual kid and kind of.
Speaker 3 (08:06):
Give them an idea of where they stand, and.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
Then if they want to if they want to stay
and continue to develop and see what happens, they.
Speaker 3 (08:15):
Do, and sometimes they want to go somewhere.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
Else and play, and that's okay too, There's.
Speaker 3 (08:19):
Nothing there's nothing wrong with that.
Speaker 1 (08:22):
Well, especially the way that the the game, not the game,
but college athletics is set up, there will be plenty
of opportunity for all of these players to get a
chance to play. If there was one area of need,
I think I know the answer to this, but I'd
be crazy not to ask you one area of need
(08:43):
that you will be focusing on that is in both
the class that you're talking about and in the transfer portal.
It would be what.
Speaker 2 (08:53):
Well, I don't know how you replace them, but we
if you know, we just don't assuming that Ryle and
Galvan is going to sign, which we don't know that.
You know, we have to be really good behind the plate.
Speaker 3 (09:07):
Yep.
Speaker 2 (09:08):
Same thing at shortstop with you know, replacing Jalen Flores
depending on what he wants to do, which you know,
those guys are still trying to get as money as
much information as they can. We obviously would love to
have him back, but you got to start in the
middle of the field. We got to replace. We need
a corner at least one outfield corner back and then
(09:29):
and then obviously pitching to fulfill the needs we have
so uh, but certainly catchers. There's never been a good
baseball team without a good catcher and a good softball
team as we saw last night.
Speaker 1 (09:40):
Speaking of that, I just wanted to bring that up.
You saw the situation, Number one, what did you think
of the crazy call as second base? But more importantly,
what did you think of Reese Atwood pulling a Kelly
Leak and going across and getting that big knob.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
Well on the play at second base? I don't I'm
not well versed on the rules of softball relative to baseball.
If that's a baseball play. I'm not making it out
of the game.
Speaker 3 (10:08):
I mean, that's just.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
There's no there's no chance that's obstruction. In no world,
in no world in a baseball game is that obstruction.
But I don't know the softball rules with regard to that,
so I probably shouldn't say anything, but I already did,
so whatever. And then on the three on the three
zero swing, the first one was right down the middle,
(10:35):
and so I think, I don't know Reeve, I don't
know what was going through her mind or if Coach
White gave her the green light, but she probably saw
that first one and said, hey, man, this might if
she throws another one closed, this might be the best
chance I had to drive this running. And man, what
that's so stinking awesome man, for to have the fearlessness
(10:59):
to do that, right, because she could have swung at
it and popped it up and there would be fans saying,
what are you doing? They're trying to put you on
the base. But when you're in those moments, man, you
have to go for it and you can't play scared.
And man, that's so great and a great, great lesson
for our team.
Speaker 3 (11:17):
To learn from.
Speaker 4 (11:18):
No doubt about it.
Speaker 1 (11:19):
We were talking about it, I said the same thing.
I was like, Coach had to trust her to do
the right thing, and she did and it came up clutch.
Speaker 4 (11:28):
Sometimes it's best to ask for forgiveness that improvement. As always, Coach,
we appreciate you have a great off season and we
look forward to doing this more.
Speaker 1 (11:41):
Maybe even more during the summer. I'll make sure and
stay in contact.
Speaker 2 (11:45):
Okay, take care, guys. That great summer.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
Yeah, I appreciate it.
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