Wednesday Talking Points

Yesterday, Texas A&M Athletic Director Scott Woodward appeared on the Paul Finebaum show (on location in Destin, Fla.) and was asked directly about the status of head coach Kevin Sumlin.

Woodard gave Sumlin a vote of confidence, but also said this:

"Coach knows he has to win and he has to win this year," he said. “We have to do better than we’ve done in the past.”

The AD also said, however, that Sumlin's status isn't just based on “objective data reading of wins and losses.”

So what's that all mean? Honestly, not a whole heck of a lot, and certainly not what you've seen all over the web this morning. SUMLIN ON THE HOT SEAT! AD SCREWS UP BY SAYING SUMLIN NEEDS TO WIN NOW!

Yeah, whatever.

Here's the reality of the situation: anyone who has watched the Aggies or monitors the football program in any capacity knows how much time and treasure has been put into it in recent years. 8-5 should not hack it. Sumlin should feel like he's coaching for his job, because he has advantages other coaches don't -- and they're getting better results.

What's earthshattering about that? Nothing.

But recruits will be upset!

News flash: recruits can read. Other coaches will tell them negative things about the program without Woodward opening his mouth. A&M has already had to face this on the recruiting trail before yesterday. Again, not news.

But it's so public!

Are we that scared of honesty in this day and age? Woodward stated what, from his point of view, is obvious. He also turned around and watered it down by saying it's not all about wins and losses. So what's it really mean?

Not a darned thing.

That's the truth. Woodward didn't set a defined total on "win now", and said it's not just about wins and losses. He could look at a team that goes 8-5 again with a rookie quarterback, largely new receivers and a subpar bunch of defensive ends and think that means progress, especially if the recruiting class is good. The people who would have to buy Sumlin out may agree with that. We don't know. Nobody really does right now.

On the face of things, it sounds like Woodward fired a shot across Sumlin's bow.

SEE? SEE? PRESSURE'S ON! IT'S ALL BAD!

That's grasping out a soundbite and not looking at everything he said.

From my perspective, here's the deal: Sumlin is on the hot seat. Big deal. He's been there for more than a year. He's talked to Woodward and knows the deal. But if there's no set bar, no "10 wins or else", it's all hot air. There's a ton of wiggle room for both sides here, so in the end it's nothing more than words to placate an angry fanbase.

It's time for Sumlin to take action and get the program moving forward. If Woodward doesn't think that's happening, then his time to take action will be in December.

There were a couple of things from the SEC Spring Meetings yesterday that I did find interesting, and both involve Prince Charming himself, Nick Saban.

Apparently, Saban let his displeasure with the new signing period be known. He doesn't want it moved up; he didn't want it, period. From his perspective, I get that. Alabama likes to go in and cherry pick guys who have are really good and have been committed to other programs close to national signing day. In this case, those guys may be off the market already, while they're preparing for the SEC Championship Game and the playoffs.

AWWW, too bad. The early signing period, in my opinion, is awesome and should be moved even farther up. It will add a new dynamic to recruiting.

I'm sure he'll gripe at me at Media Days if and when I bring it up.

Also, Barrett Sallee said that it seemed like Saban and Georgia coach Kirby Smart (his former DC, remember) were not on the friendliest of terms. Which begs the question:

Saban has friends?

There's more to this than stating the obvious. This is A&M's big recruiting month. Sumlin expects it to be productive (and said so at the Houston Touchdown Club); Fletch thinks A&M gets "at least three" commits.

I'll go a step farther and say they top three.

Joshua Moore announces on the 18th. A&M has a decent (at least) shot there. They have the YESSIR BBQ the same day. That has tended to be a successful endeavor in recent years. You have multiple targets that are getting close to making a decision.

A&M should be in double-digits in commits for 2018 and have the 2019 class underway by the end of the month.

The Bannon Hancock band, which includes our own JPhillips97 and Echoes97, is having its CD release party Saturday night at the Firehouse Saloon, 5930 Southwest Fwy. in Houston. If you like country music, especially Texas country, you'll love their stuff. These guys can flat-out play. They can give any "real" band (you know, one with a major label) a run for their money.

Come on out. Have a time. I'll be there.

Wait, that may not help....