I kind of am.

Why? They have had a good run, now it is time to pass the torch. Let someone else have the chance. Both Programs could stand improvement.

No. Neither program has been able to establish itself as a top ten program much less a legitimate threat to ever win a NCAA title.

The fact that only two people (now three) have responded to the initial post speaks volumes.

Maybe Nelson was at the point of retiring, but Nash will be hard to replace. If SSS Bill kills the swimming program and letting Nash go is the first step, I would vote for Byrne to leave.

"It takes a man to be a father....."

I have been trying to reply for days. The site had a technical problem. Nash has been a solid coach going back to when I was in school ('80). A&M used to have a top ten water polo team then - it was better than the swim team. I think Byrne wants more than "solid" coaches. There was little sign that Nash could take the Aggies to top ten status. We would always be second ten. We have a top ten facility, and it needs a coach who can recruit nationally. We will struggle to equal tu here because I think great swimmmers are generally from a socioeconomic group that might favor Austin over College Station. But Auburn was national champions in both men's and women's swimming two years in a row. It takes talent to do that.

A bit more about swimming....

The talent gap between tu and A&M is much wider than the point difference at the Big12 championships. Texas is so deep they hold back some of their best swimmers in certain events to keep the score somewhat close. At the NCAAs A&M achieved its 11th place finish mostly via relays. We scored individual points only in 3 individual events. And we had individuals only in consolation finals, not finals.

So we need a new, exciting coach to take this team to top ten status. He needs to change the perception of a program satisfied to be second ten and communicate to recruits we're moving up.

Spicewood, you make good points. Hopefully (but I think not) there were others that were in your situation.

Though not a TU, Auburn has always had a good swimming program. Our program was getting better and is getting better. I can't comment about Nash as I don't know the guy.

The biggest problem any of our coaches have is that tu is 90 miles down the road and frankly they outperform us in virtually every sport, at least every major sport. Of course, in the 90's we were more competitive with them everywhere except in basketball, whereas now we are more competitive with them maybe in softball, v-ball, soccer, tennis, golf, archery, etc. While those sports are important to the participants, they don't make money for the school/athletic department.

Byrne wants 1st places out of every coach, NCAA playoffs out of every coach. Unfortunately, some coaches can't or won't provide what Byrne wants. Obviously, they will be shown the door.

"It takes a man to be a father....."

Being a former member of the A&M track team...I would have to say that Nelson's retirement was legit. I'm sure he felt some pressure, but he has been around A&M since the 60's...

I think most of you people look too far into things...I'm sure Byrne knows a lot more about what's going on than you do...