A storied Aggie coach returns to the field, seeking redemption and rekindling a legacy marked by Heisman glory and controversial endings.
A former Texas A&M Aggies head football coach is officially back wearing a headset, resurfacing in professional football after a winding and turbulent coaching journey that still resonates loudly in College Station.
The Houston Gamblers announced Kevin Sumlin's return as head coach, marking his comeback to the USFL after a year away from coaching and just three seasons after his first stint in Houston ended unceremoniously.
The reunion is a second chance for both sides, and a reminder that football careers rarely move in straight lines.
For Aggie fans, Sumlin's name still carries weight.
His tenure at Texas A&M Aggies from 2012 to 2017 reshaped the program's national profile, even if the ending left scars. He arrived in College Station fresh off a dominant run at Houston, where he compiled a 35-17 record and a 12-1 breakout season in 2011 that made him one of the hottest names in college football.
Sumlin's Aggie era peaked almost immediately.
In 2012, he helped guide quarterback Johnny Manziel to a Heisman Trophy and an 11-2 season that stunned the SEC. Texas A&M was loud, relevant, and nationally feared, something that hadn't been true in decades.
Yet despite never posting a losing season, momentum gradually faded, and a 7-5 finish in 2017 ultimately led to his dismissal.
The years since have been far less forgiving.
His stop at Arizona unraveled quickly, producing declining win totals and a disastrous start to the shortened 2020 season that included a 70-7 rivalry loss to Arizona State. That chapter closed with little resistance and even less optimism.
Sumlin attempted to reset his career on college staffs, landing at Maryland as associate head coach and co-offensive coordinator. That opportunity ended abruptly following an off-field incident and DUI charge, bringing another sudden stop to his climb back into relevance.
Now, the Gamblers are betting on familiarity and upside.
Houston fired Sumlin in 2022 after a 3-7 USFL campaign, but the league, the roster dynamics, and the expectations are different this time around.
For Sumlin, it's a chance to reestablish credibility in a professional setting where results matter more than reputation.
For Texas A&M fans, it’s another reminder of a complicated era. One that delivered historic highs, frustrating plateaus, and a legacy that still sparks debate.
Love him or loathe him, Kevin Sumlin's story isn't finished ... and his return to the sideline ensures it won't be forgotten anytime soon.