With a 26–4 record in his first season at UT, Texas baseball head coach Jim Schlossnagle has guided the Longhorns to No. 2 in the national rankings. The Texan likened Schlossnagle’s debut season to the accomplishments of prior legendary baseball head coaches while they were with the Longhorns.

In just a few short months, Jim Schlossnagle has made an unforgettable first impression in Austin. Taking over as head coach of the Texas Longhorns baseball program in 2025, Schlossnagle has surged out of the gates with a 26–4 record, guiding the storied program to No. 2 in the national rankings. It’s not just a hot start—it’s a statement. One that has Longhorn fans dreaming of Omaha in June and insiders whispering comparisons to some of the greatest names ever to lead Texas baseball.

The Texan newspaper recently explored the impact of Schlossnagle’s debut and didn’t shy away from drawing parallels between the new skipper and his legendary predecessors. While it’s early, Schlossnagle’s arrival already feels like a turning point—one reminiscent of Augie Garrido’s transformation of the program in the early 2000s or Cliff Gustafson’s dynasty-building run through the ’70s and ’80s.

But what exactly is it about Schlossnagle’s first season that has the fanbase so fired up—and is it fair to already mention his name in the same breath as Garrido or Gustafson?

A Culture Shock with Results

When Schlossnagle made the switch from TCU to Texas, it sent shockwaves throughout college baseball. After 18 years of turning the Horned Frogs into a perennial power, including five College World Series appearances, Schlossnagle took on the challenge of resurrecting Texas baseball’s modern era. The Longhorns have never lacked tradition—they’re one of the winningest programs in NCAA history—but recent years were marred by inconsistency and postseason frustration.

Enter Schlossnagle.

From his first day on campus, the message was clear: The expectation is excellence, and nothing less. “We don’t celebrate winning here,” Schlossnagle said during fall camp. “We expect it.”

The buy-in has been immediate. His team has not only won games—they’ve dominated. Texas has posted series sweeps against ranked opponents, showcased one of the deepest pitching staffs in the country, and taken over the national stage with clean, confident play.

The 26–4 record speaks volumes, but Schlossnagle’s cultural overhaul is the real foundation behind the team’s success.

Statistical Domination

What makes this start so impressive isn’t just the record, but the quality of play behind it. Texas ranks in the top five nationally in team ERA, fielding percentage, and slugging. A well-balanced lineup loaded with power hitters and disciplined bats has been complemented by a lockdown bullpen and elite starting rotation.

Junior right-hander Carter Rasmussen has blossomed under Schlossnagle’s staff, holding opponents to a .183 batting average while leading the Big 12 in strikeouts. Freshman slugger Kyle Mendez has provided a jolt at the plate, already notching 10 home runs while batting over .340.

More impressively, Schlossnagle’s teams aren’t just winning—they’re responding to adversity. Come-from-behind victories against SEC powerhouse Arkansas and a 13-inning thriller against Oklahoma showcased the team’s toughness and unity, hallmarks of Schlossnagle’s coaching philosophy.

“We’re learning how to win different ways,” said senior catcher Blake Johnston. “Coach S just expects us to play the right way. And when you do that, the wins follow.”

Echoes of Legends: Garrido and Gustafson

When Texas fans think of great coaches, two names always come first: Augie Garrido and Cliff Gustafson.

Garrido, who coached the Longhorns from 1997 to 2016, brought two national titles to Austin and revitalized the program with a mix of California cool and Texas toughness. His emphasis on mental conditioning and small-ball mastery redefined Texas baseball for a generation.

Before him, Gustafson was the architect of dominance. Across his 29-year tenure (1968–1996), he won 22 conference championships and guided Texas to the College World Series an astonishing 17 times, winning national titles in 1975 and 1983.

To compare Schlossnagle to these titans isn’t premature—it’s appropriate. His 26–4 start is among the best debut seasons in program history. Gustafson won 24 of his first 30 games in 1968. Garrido, adjusting to a new region and roster, stumbled early in his 1997 debut but rebounded by year’s end. Schlossnagle, however, has wasted no time in asserting dominance.

“He reminds me of both of them,” former Longhorns assistant coach Tommy Harmon said. “He’s got Augie’s attention to detail and Gustafson’s grit. But most of all, he’s got his own style—and it’s working.”

A Master Recruiter and Motivator

While Schlossnagle inherited a solid foundation, many of the key contributors this season are new faces—either freshmen or transfers who followed him from TCU. His ability to identify talent and develop players is one of his trademarks, and it’s already paying dividends.

He’s also winning on the recruiting trail. Texas recently secured commitments from five Top 100 national prospects, including two elite pitchers who were also being courted by SEC powerhouses. Schlossnagle’s brand—modern, intense, and proven—is resonating across the country.

“He’s a rock star,” said ESPN analyst Kyle Peterson. “Everywhere he goes, he wins. But more importantly, he develops men. That’s why players and families trust him.”

That blend of recruitment and development is what elevated both Garrido and Gustafson—and it’s what Schlossnagle is replicating.

The Omaha Standard

Every discussion about Texas baseball ultimately leads to Omaha. The Longhorns have made 38 trips to the College World Series—more than any other program. It’s a standard, not a goal.

For Schlossnagle, Omaha is familiar ground. He’s been there six times, though a national title has eluded him. It’s the one box left to check on an otherwise sterling résumé.

If this season’s first two months are any indication, that may be changing soon.

“From the moment he arrived, you could feel a different energy,” said former Longhorns pitcher Huston Street. “He knows what it takes to win in Omaha, and he knows how to get the best out of his guys. That’s a lethal combination.”

Winning the Texas Way

One of the biggest challenges for any new coach at Texas is understanding the weight of tradition. It’s not just about winning—it’s about winning the Longhorn way. That means toughness, pride, and excellence on and off the field.

Schlossnagle seems to understand that instinctively. He’s embraced former players, brought back alumni to speak with the team, and revived old traditions that had faded in recent years.

His approach blends modern analytics with old-school grit. Players track exit velocity and spin rates during practice—but they’re also running hills at dawn and watching film with notebooks, not just tablets.

“He’s made us feel like part of something bigger than just this season,” said junior infielder Max Lopez. “We’re playing for the past, present, and future of Texas baseball.”

Fanbase Rejuvenation

Attendance is up. Energy around the program is at its highest level since the 2005 national championship team. Students are showing up early, and alumni are buzzing about a potential return to Omaha glory.

“We’ve waited a long time for this kind of energy,” said longtime fan Claire Martinez, who’s held season tickets for 20 years. “He’s got the whole city believing again.”

What Comes Next?

While the regular season is far from over, the Longhorns’ hot start has put them in prime position to host a regional and potentially a super regional. The ultimate test, of course, will be in June.

With series against Big 12 contenders Baylor and Texas Tech looming, Schlossnagle’s squad will be tested. But there’s little doubt that this team has the tools—and the leadership—to make a deep postseason run.

And if Schlossnagle does reach Omaha in his first year at Texas?

The comparisons to Garrido and Gustafson may no longer be just whispers. They’ll become proclamations.

Jim Schlossnagle hasn’t just started strong—he’s made history. With a 26–4 record and a top-two national ranking, his first season with the Texas Longhorns has electrified a program and fanbase craving a return to glory.

In doing so, he’s channeled the best qualities of the legends who came before him—Gustafson’s consistency, Garrido’s inspiration—and added a relentless, modern edge that might be even more dangerous.

The Texan’s comparison to past coaching greats isn’t just hyperbole. If this is the beginning, the rest of college baseball better take notice: Texas is back. And Jim Schlossnagle is just getting started.