Skip to main content

Texas A&M suspends assistants after Chalk Talk presentation comments

Texas A&M has suspended two assistant coaches after derogatory language was used at a football presentation over the weekend.
  • Author:
  • Publish date:

Texas A&M assistant football coaches Jim Turner and Jeff Banks have been suspended for two weeks after they used derogatory language at a football team presentation, according to the Houston Chronicle.

“We want to sincerely apologize to the passionate Aggie fans and to women for our failed attempt at humor during this week's Aggie Football Chalk Talk and fundraiser,” the coaches said in a statement. “We clearly understand now that our comments and slides were not appropriate or consistent with the values of our football program or our Department. We must do better, and we will.”

During a "Chalk Talk" presentation, lyrics were changed to the “Aggie War Hymn.”

View the lyrics below:

Yahoo football writer Anwar Richardson was contacted by someone who was in attendance at the event and shared four photos of another presentation that included lewd language.

Head coach Kevin Sumlin issued a statement. 

“There is absolutely no place in our program or in our University community for inappropriate conduct or degrading comments towards women, or anyone, regardless of intent. While I was in attendance at the Chalk Talk event this week. I was engaged in meeting participants, taking photosgraphs and signing autographs and I was unaware of the contents of Jim and Jeff's presentations until this morning. Upon learning of the details, I immediately consulted with Director of Athletics Scott Woodward, and made the decision that both Jeff and Jim will be suspended without pay for two weeks effective immediately and will serve 20 hours of community service. I have addressed the issue with both of them and have their commitment to be better representatives of our program. On behalf of Aggie Football, I want to apologize for the comments at Chalk Talk and also for my failure to review their individual presentations. I want to thank the almost 700 women who came out this week who not only participated in the program but who supported a worthy cause in the Twin City Mission.”