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Cash crunch may save Taylor, Earley
Very few Aggies have a favorable opinion of women’s basketball coach Joni Taylor or baseball coach Michael Earley at this point, as they have not delivered anything close to desired results. But Taylor is still employed more than two months after basketball season ends and there is (as of right now) no real smoke indicating Earley’s in trouble.
Under normal circumstances, they probably would be. And maybe Earley may be soon, but I’m skeptical.
Here’s why: A&M athletics shelled out $27.5 million dollars in severance money in the 2024 fiscal year alone. That’s more than double the next closest program in the SEC.
The vast majority of that money went to Jimbo, of course, and A&M is still on the hook for another $7.27 million a year until 2031 to finish paying him. So if you’re looking to do things like the improvements to Olsen and possibly to Reed, then you need all the money you can get. And, while donors are still willing to shell out money for transfers and NIL money to keep current players in place, they’re more than a little tired of buying out coaches.
So that’s why I think Earley has a good chance of staying around for at least another season. They’ll probably let Taylor’s contract run out and let her walk, while Earley will get a chance to rectify this disaster of a season.
Earley’s success in 2026 may depend on the draft
If Earley returns, A&M should have some players back: Gavin Grahovac, Caden Sorrell, Terrence Kiel Jr., Blake Binderup, Weston Moss, Kaiden Wilson, Gavin Lyons, Bear Harrison, Isaac Morton and a few others. But they’re losing Jace LaViolette, Wyatt Henseler, Kaeden Kent, Gavin Cash, Ryan Prager and likely Justin Lamkin and Myles Patton — heck, Shane Sdao may go pretty early, Tommy John surgery or not.
They may also miss out on some key pieces from the recruiting class, though that’s not as certain. LHP Johnny Slawinski, OF Josiah Hartshorn and SS Nico Partida are ranked in ESPN’s top 150 draft-eligible players, which puts them in the danger zone of signing and going pro. Earley has assembled a great recruiting class for next season, but it will miss some big pieces of those guys go pro.
My guess on where A&M stands with some key 2026 recruits:
Bryce Perry-Wright: The 4-star DE likely has A&M at the top of his list. But it’s really close.
Aaron Thomas: The 4-star OL from Arizona also likely has A&M as his leader, but again, officials are key.
Drew Evers: The big offensive lineman has kept his recruitment pretty quiet, but Ohio State, Texas and A&M seem to be in the best shape.
Tristian Givens: A&M has moved ahead for the 4-star EDGE. If A&M closes as they possibly can, the defensive line will be nasty.
ATH Brandon Arrington: A&M leads over Oregon, who is making the ($) push, and USC is in third.
WR Ethan "Boobie" Feaster: A&M has the lead over Alabama. LSU lost a wideout so they may push harder to get back in. Texas is right out.
S Jireh Edwards: A&M is likely third behind Georgia and Alabama. The official visit is crucial. He had A&M at the top for a reason and he’s shown he can be swayed by a trip, so they need to remind him of why he was so big on the Aggies.
DT Lamar Brown: It’s either LSU or A&M, depending on the day. I lean A&M, but you know the pressure to stay in Baton Rouge will be immense. A&M likes where they stand, though.
WR Ryan Mosley: Third behind Georgia and South Carolina.
LB Tai'Yion "Tank" King: I’m still under the impression A&M leads for him and will stay that way until further notice.
DE Jamarion Carlton: A&M has been working incredibly hard on Carlton and I think they may finally have an edge for him. But Texas remains a big time threat.
WR Jase Mathews: I am guessing, and it’s just a guess, that Ole Miss and Auburn are ahead.
OT Avery Morcho: Another tackle they have a real shot with. A&M wins the proximity battle for the Missouri City Ridge Point product, over the likes of TCU and SMU.
OT Zaden Krempin: He has announced today that he has a final four of A&M, Texas, LSU and Michigan. It’s anyone’s guess at where he goes, honestly. A lot of people thought SMU was the favorite, and he cut them.
OT John Turntine III: Even though I think he’s the guy A&M would most like, I’m still not feeling it. Texas and Michigan (again) are the big contenders and I think Texas leads. But it could be that Texas gets Felix Ojo, Michigan gets Turntine and A&M gets Krempin.
CB Dorian Barney: I still like A&M here for the 4-star corner.
LB DaQuives Beck: Another guy where I like A&M’s chances.
CB Camren Hamiel: Either A&M or Oregon. I lean A&M.
NICKEL Bralan Womack: Ohio State is a heavy leader here.
S Tamarion Watkins: He’s visiting June 12 it looks like A&M and South Carolina are going to duke it out for him.
DE Anthony Jones: He’s the big prize and I know some folks feel good about his recruitment, but I’m not feeling this one. I still think he’s Alabama’s to lose. But stranger things have happened…
