Texas A&M has fired Kevin Sumlin. Thanks and best of luck, Coach

It’s finally over.

After years of growing discontent with late-season fades, an inability to beat division foes at home, and constantly teetering on the verge of turning the corner and becoming a top-flight program, but ultimately coming up short, Texas A&M has let Kevin Sumlin go.

Sumlin and his staff and players apparently first learned of the decision on Tuesday when they got out of practice, creating an awkward energy surrounding Aggie Football in the days leading up to the LSU game, which A&M lost for the sixth consecutive season.

Kevin Sumlin was the third-most tenured SEC coach, behind Nick Saban and Dan Mullen. Not necessarily out of coaching prowess, for the reasons stated above, but of the sheer attrition level that exists in the most demanding conference in the country.

For better or worse, the Sumlin era at Texas A&M is at an end. Let it be an amicable one.

Coach Sumlin swept into the SEC and redefined the identity of Texas A&M Football. His early success spurred major facilities upgrades and he’s continued to bring in top-flight players like Myles Garrett and Christian Kirk throughout his tenure. He has represented A&M with dignity and provided us with plenty of exciting football.

In the end, it wasn’t enough. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t good. Kevin Sumlin struggled to build a top-flight team, but he has done a terrific job of building up the program and setting the stage for it to finally turn the corner. Let’s hope that it does soon.

Thanks and Gig ‘Em, Coach Sumlin.