Strong Wants Texas AM

Charlie Strong shows absolutely no fear of Texas A&M: Rivalry renewal buzz a big win for Texas

Charlie Strong had a struggle of a first year at the University of Texas. His Longhorns stumbled and bumbled to a 6-7 record — and put on a historically pathetic performance in a bowl game in Houston no less.

But the UT coach is winning the offseason.

And Strong's doing it by taking direct aim at Texas A&M University and coach Kevin Sumlin, abandoning the recent Texas tradition of running away from the fierce instate rivalry. Instead Strong is asking for it.

Texas A&M that is. Strong's making it clear he wants to see the storied Texas-Texas A&M rivalry return to college football.

"That game is so much a part of this state," Strong tells ESPN. "Over 100 years, we've played that game. Why stop it now because we're in different conferences?

"At some point, when it's right for everybody with the different schedules, I would love to play Texas A&M again."

Strong's remarks are creating major waves — and for good reason. Texas' coach is stepping up — and in many ways challenging a program that's clearly passed the Longhorns by on the football field (for now).

Strong is using stronger language and passion for the rivalry than Sumlin is showing. In the same ESPN piece, the Aggies coach says "it's important that we play again" and "it will happen somewhere down the road." Sumlin almost seems to be paying lip service to the whole thing, saying what he knows A&M alums want to hear.

Strong is stepping up — and in many ways challenging a program that's clearly passed Texas by on the football field.

But even that is a step forward for Sumlin. When I asked the Aggies coach early in his tenure about the inexcusable dissolution of the Texas-Texas A&M football game, he seemed resigned to no game, noting how other great rivalries had died.

"I never thought I'd see the day where there's no Nebraska-Oklahoma (game)," Sumlin told me.

Then again, Texas is the school that had to come around. Seemingly in a huff over A&M bolting to the SEC, then Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds informed his Aggies counterpart that Texas simply didn't have "room" on its non-conference schedule for A&M until at least 2018.

Texas has a new bolder athletic director now. But its coach seems to be driving this rivalry renewal push. AD Steve Patterson has publicly advocated playing more far-flung national programs like Notre Dame than USC rather than mentioning restarting a Texas rivalry that dates back to 1894. But Patterson's handpicked football coach seems to know what's truly important.

Strong showing no fear and jonesing for A&M is no small symbolic move. He's already proven he can beat Sumlin and the Aggies in direct fights for some top recruits.

Beating Texas A&M on the football field is the next step. And Charlie Strong clearly wants the chance to do it as soon as he can.

Charlie Strong clearly wants to lead the University of Texas onto the field against Texas A&M.

Photo by Michelle Watson CultureMapSnap

Charlie Strong clearly wants to lead the University of Texas onto the field against Texas A&M.

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Cougar Red and Houston Blue

UH expands 'Houston Blue' uniforms, despite NFL cease-and-desist

UH continues using Houston Blue uniforms despite NFL rebuke

Photo courtesy of Houston Athletics

Luv ya Blue running wild.

University of Houston Athletics are in a “Luv ya blue” mood and they don’t care who knows it — not even the NFL.

The university has announced that its football and volleyball teams will wear new Houston Blue jerseys, reminiscent of the classic colors of the Houston Oilers era. The volleyball team's uniform will debut theirs starting November 9 against Texas Tech, while the football team will debut theirs against Baylor on November 23. At the latter event, the first 20,000 fans will receive commemorative Houston Blue rally towels.

The resemblance of the new colors to the Oilers brand was not lost on the NFL. When UH Athletics started incorporating Houston Blue into their uniforms in September 2023, the NFL sent a cease-and-desist letter claiming the uniforms were an attempt to leech off the legacy of the Oilers and the intellectual property of the team now known as the Tennessee Titans. As if to prove the point, the Titans have occasionally worn Columbia blue throwback uniforms at certain games.

UH is unbothered according to vice president for intercollegiate athletics Eddie Nuñez.

“As a university deeply connected to the fabric of Houston, incorporating ‘Houston Blue’ into our uniforms is a powerful way to celebrate the city’s rich history,” he said. “From iconic blue street markers to the Houston Police Department’s signature blue police cars and helicopters, this color holds a special place in the hearts of Houstonians. We’re thrilled to share this tradition with our fans and offer them the chance to show their pride through exclusive merchandise, making it an exciting time for Cougar Nation to rally together.”

The accompanying press release for the uniforms came with a helpful history lesson showing that the Oilers adopted a color widely associated with Houston, not the other way around. The city has incorporated blue into public infrastructure, from street curbs to city vehicles, since the 1920s. The Oilers weren’t even the first Houston team to use blue in their uniforms. That honor belongs to the minor league baseball team, the Houston Buffs. In addition, the university made minor changes to the uniform in response to the NFL's concerns.

UH will be offering a wide range of merchandise to sell in the new Houston Blue colors in person and online through the University of Houston Bookstore as well as at select local retailers. These include shirts, hats, polos, jerseys, and hoodies. Get them before the NFL sends a more strongly-worded letter.

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Fans of Houston sports and Houston food can now score tickets to The Tailgate, CultureMap's all-out party devoted to everyone’s favorite way to get in the gameday spirit. The event, presented by Verizon, goes down from 6-9 pm November 11 at 8th Wonder. Find out more about it here.

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