This week is an anniversary of sorts for Texas A&M. Only in this case, a celebration cake might be inappropriate -- unless it came with arsenic or, to be less graphic, one of those candles you can't blow out.
A year ago this week, the A&M football program took a blow on the national scene that kicked off a series of events it has yet to recover from. The Aggies had a rare opportunity to show off for college football fans in a nationally televised Thursday night game at Miami. Instead, the Aggies proved why they are still playing catch-up to the Oklahomas and Texases of the Big 12, why Texas Tech had passed them and why Oklahoma State was next in line.
Instead of beating a name university in a historic arena, the Aggies were exposed and outclassed by a team that ended up finishing 5-7.
Instead of Jorvorskie Lane bulldozing through the middle of a Hurricane defense known more for speed than power, the big back with as many rushing touchdowns as any Aggie in history was shown on the telecast brooding on the sidelines. He had two carries in the game and one ugly scene on the bench. The Aggies lost bad and were on their way to an infamous few months.
It didn't help that coach Dennis Franchione dismissed the loss as being part of -- his words -- the "exhibition season."
But as the Aggies would soon find out, defending that misstatement was like a day at South Beach compared to what happened next.
A secret e-mailed newsletter -- VIP Connection -- written by Franchione's personal media relations assistant Mike McKenzie and sent out to a couple dozen boosters for a fee found its way into the public light. The newsletter, which gave out information on injuries and Franchione's assessments of players, violated several NCAA regulations and the Big 12's code of conduct.
About two weeks after the VIP Connection came to light, A&M athletics director Bill Byrne was having to defend the university he had spent nearly five years building up. And he wasn't happy about it.
Byrne was candid about A&M's investigation into the matter. His anger over the situation was obvious by the words he chose and the seriousness in which he spoke them. The man who gloats over every Aggie win and accomplishment, academically and on the playing field, made sure everyone knew at the press conference announcing the school's findings on the newsletter that it was the low point of his tenure at A&M.
Byrne was candid about A&M's investigation into the matter. His anger over the situation was obvious by the words he chose and the seriousness in which he spoke them. The man who gloats over every Aggie win and accomplishment, academically and on the playing field, made sure everyone knew at the press conference announcing the school's findings on the newsletter that it was the low point of his tenure at A&M.
The truth is, with the trouble that lies around the corner for major universities these days, if the VIP Connection is the lowest point of Byrne's tenure in Aggieland, he's done all right for himself.
But as long as Franchione was coach, the dilemma would not pass.
Radio and TV stations from the cities of the Aggies' next opponents were more interested in "e-gate" and Franchione's status than they were about Lane's weight, the zone read or whether A&M would make a bowl. Questions normal for a game day steered away from football and honed in on the kinds of things no athletics director -- or coach -- wants circulating in the press about his or her program.
Even a victory over a rival was short-lived for the players, who for the most part stood behind Franchione. Center Cody Wallace inadvertently, in a between-the-lines kind of way, said in a postgame interview after A&M beat Texas that it was Franchione's last game.
Franchione came in with family by his side, made the announcement that he was stepping down, and the news was again about Franchione's status. It partially ruined the Aggies' fun over beating the Longhorns for a second straight time.
Then another bowl loss, after an embarrassing gaffe by a yell leader dissing legendary Penn State coach Joe Paterno, didn't do anything to help the A&M football image.
It did, however, put a cap on the Franchione era.
All has not been bad since that dreadful Thursday night in Miami last year. The hiring of coach Mike Sherman was quick and pleasing to the Aggie faithful.
Of course, Sherman is the first to point out that his hiring will be judged on wins and losses, and Arkansas State was not a good start for his regime.
But Saturday starts a new year, and all could be forgotten or forgiven with a victory over the Hurricanes, who are better this year than they were when they beat the Aggies 34-17 in a game that wasn't that close.
Richard Croome's e-mail address is richard.croome@theeagle.com.
Notice about comments:
TheEagle.com is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. TheEagle.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not theeagle.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
Full terms and conditions can be read here.
