Texas AD Chris Del Conte Eager To 'Rekindle' Rivalry With Texas A&M In SEC
As the Texas Longhorns prepare for life in the Southeastern Conference, they also must prepare for the rekindling of an old rivalry. It's a new conference, but the flame still burns bright in the Lone Star State.
Once Texas and Oklahoma arrive in the SEC come July 1, 2024, all eyes will be fixated on the first matchup between the Longhorns and Texas A&M. The two powerhouse programs in Texas have not met on the football field since their season finale matchup in College Station back in 2011.
Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte recently spoke of the rivalry's return during an interview on the Paul Finebaum Show. Hired to replace Deloss Dodds in 2017, Del Conte stressed the importance of the game, stating how in-state rivalries are a staple in all aspects of college athletics.
"Think about Auburn not playing for Alabama for 40 years or something for a huge stretch," Del Conte told Finebaum. "I could never imagine that. I think what makes college (sports) so great is those rivalries — those deep-rooted, family rivalries that last a lifetime. You cherish them.
"To not play Texas A&M for all these years, it's just sad and ludicrous. I feel bad for our fans and I feel bad for the state of Texas."
When the Aggies left for the SEC following the 27-25 victory by Texas, Dodds told reporters that it was A&M's decision to end the rivalry. According to the Austin-American Statesman, then-A&M school president R. Bowen Loftin said that the Aggies would be more than happy to schedule a game with the Longhorns so long as it met the scheduling parameters.
"We're open to a date that meets all our needs," Bowen told AAS' Kirk Bohls.
The rivalry between the two programs dates back to the late-1800s when Texas and A&M met for the first time in 1894. From 1898-2011, both schools met across the state for an annual matchup, often on Thanksgiving weekend. All-time, the Longhorns hold a 76–37–5 advantage in 118 games.
The return of the Lone Star Showdown isn't the only rivalry expected to be reignited in the SEC. The Longhorns are expected to face Arkansas, a former Southwest Conference foe, in the coming years. The Razorbacks and Longhorns met annually from 1932 until Arkansas' departure for the SEC in 1991.
Arkansas hosted Texas during Week 2 of the 2021 season, beating the Big 12 program 40-21.
"They had this storied history in the 1960s playing for national championships and the greatest game of the century," Del Conte said of the series between Texas and Arkansas. "You start to think of all those things. To go back and rekindle those games are great for college football and our community. Rivalries in my opinion really matter in sport."
The Longhorns and Sooners will each pay $50 million in 2024 to leave the Big 12 Conference a year early after agreeing to the terms of a buyout for the programs’ grant of rights deals with Big 12 media partners Fox and ESPN. The money will be distributed among the Big 12's eight "legacy" programs to offset an expected decrease in their 2024 conference revenue.
As for the Red River Showdown, Del Conte said that the rivalry would remain in Dallas at the Cotton Bowl until further notice.
"To be able to keep the Oklahoma game in Dallas and to rekindle those old relationships, it's an exciting time," said Del Conte.
The Longhorns will remain in the Big 12 for the upcoming 2023 season, playing in a 14-team format with the additions of BYU, Central Florida, Cincinnati and Houston. Texas will face former Southwest Conference rival Houston for the first time since 2002 at TDECU Stadium on Oct. 21.
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