In a move no one saw coming, Texas A&M athletics director Eric Hyman resigned on Tuesday.
“I appreciate my time here at Texas A&M University and I am proud of our student-athletes’ achievements both on the field and in the classroom,” Hyman said in a statement, via the Houston Chronicle. “The best part of an AD’s job is forming wonderful relationships with student-athletes, colleagues, former students and Texas A&M has been no exception. I will always value my time here and the friendships I have made with Aggies. I wish Texas A&M University nothing but continued success.”
Hyman is the latest to join a group making a conga line out of College Station, following quarterbacks Kyler Murray and Kyle Allen and offensive coordinator Jake Spavital. Many believe this departure encircles embattled head coach Kevin Sumlin, though that may not necessarily be the case.
It's no secret that Sumlin/Hyman didn't have much in the way of relationship, chain of command was cloudy at best.
— Billy Liucci (@billyliucci) January 5, 2016
While most will see new AD as increased pressure on Sumlin, actually could be a positive for the HC if the two are on the same page
— Billy Liucci (@billyliucci) January 5, 2016
Hyman arrived in College Station shortly after the Aggies joined the SEC in 2012 and, well, stayed another four years. TexAgs, a fan site closely affiliated with the Aggies’ athletics department, wrote of Hyman in its official story, “However, he seemed to have a distant relationship with Aggie sports fans, who often complained he wasn’t approachable or visible. Fans on message boards and talk shows often wondered what he did to earn his seven-figure salary.”
And Hyman added to that perception when he was seemingly caught off guard by his own resignation earlier this week.
I asked Hyman on Mon. how long he planned to be at A&M. He laughed & said: "Why, are there people who want me out?" https://t.co/kZLDTUl0ND
— Kate Hairopoulos (@khairopoulos) January 5, 2016
Texas A&M’s athletics director is leaving. Just how much of an impact that will have on the department as a whole remains to be seen.
