Former Texas A&M football player and head coach Gene Stallings joined Wednesday's edition of TexAgs Radio to share his thoughts on the A&M-Alabama budding rivalry, the latest news and notes from around college football and more.
Key notes from Gene Stallings interview
- I'm excited to watch football and Texas A&M. Jimbo Fisher has done a good job, and the season is getting started. I like watching Alabama, and I have a granddaughter that works for Clemson. I’m excited about the season getting started.
- I'm doing fine. I had a stroke or two, but I'm doing as well as I can. I would be better if we got some rain.
- I want the best team to win. In the last couple of years, Alabama has had the upper hand. When A&M and Alabama play, I can assure you that it will be a big game.
- I remember the 2021 A&M-Alabama game well. It was an outstanding game. I try to watch as much college football as I can. When A&M, Alabama and Clemson play, I tune in.
- When I was at A&M, beating Texas 10-7 was an awfully big game. Beating Alabama in the Cotton Bowl too. I've been involved in quite a few big games. Those little games are important too.
- When I was on the Board of Regents and had the privilege to go to College Station to attend board meetings. College Station has grown. Fans give their 100 percent in the way they support A&M athletics.
- You go to school for an education, not to play football. Where can you go to get a better degree? The facilities in College Station are second to none. When I was at A&M, the Vietnam War was going on. Everyone loved A&M, but no one wanted to commit to the military.
- I'm going to try to come down for a game or two. I'm 86. I still enjoy college football, and no one puts on a better show than A&M.
- I cannot imagine coaching during the transfer portal era. There is some problem when you commit to a school and want to transfer.
- I was fired at A&M, and I can’t tell you how many students showed up at my house to show respect. There’s a whole lot more to college football than winning the game.
- I didn’t really like the Nick Saban and Jimbo feud. I know both coaches. To see two of the top coaches have words, if I were either one, I would have been disappointed.
- I had coaches I didn’t like. I appreciated Darrell K Royal. I had a great appreciation for him even though he was at Texas and I was at A&M. I had an appreciation for Frank Broyles too.
- I think an eight-team playoff is better than four teams. It means you can play football longer, and if you finish in the top eight, you can win the national championship.
- I had a good relationship with the media. There were eight to 15 writers that covered me, and I gave them a watch when I was done. I told them to be honest with their evaluations.
- When you have the number one recruiting class in the country, that’s a good step. You have to stay healthy. You can’t win if you have good players on the bench.
