**Texas A&M’s Jackie Sherrill Reflects on Storied Rivalry with Texas**

The historic rivalry between Texas A&M and the University of Texas is reigniting this week after a 13-year hiatus, and Jackie Sherrill, one of the most colorful figures in Texas A&M history, is making his presence felt. Sherrill, who coached Texas A&M in the 1980s and turned 81 on Thanksgiving, recently stirred the pot leading up to the much-anticipated game with a nod to past rivalry pranks.

In a recent golf tournament in Houston featuring 50 former Longhorns and 50 former Aggies, Sherrill handed out ball markers made from shaved pieces of cattle horn. The horn chips, an inside joke about "sawing off" the horns of the Longhorns, brought the competitive spirit back to life. Texas and Texas A&M have a long history dating back to 1894 and have played 119 games so far, with Texas leading the series 76-37-5.

Reflecting on his tenure, which started in 1982, Sherrill boasts a 52-28-1 record with Texas A&M. His arrival marked a cultural change at the school, as he built a reputation with flair, whether by leading the Aggies on the field or engaging in off-field antics such as famously castrating a bull in front of his Mississippi State squad ahead of a game against Texas in 1992.

Sherrill’s era at Texas A&M brought a profound shift for the Aggie program. He transformed the team’s mentality and perception, famously winning crucial games that allowed Aggies to finally “stick their chest out.” He led the team to three straight Southwest Conference titles in his seven-year stay.

The upcoming game against Texas is particularly significant as the winner will advance to the conference championship game and maintain playoff hopes. A&M's Kyle Field, redeveloped in 2015 with a seating capacity nearing 110,000, is expected to host record crowds, and the tension between the teams is palpable.

Former Aggies defensive coordinator and head coach R.C. Slocum, who succeeded Sherrill, highlighted the importance of this game, noting how it has dominated conversations across Texas for decades. The rivalry’s revival, initiated by Texas and Oklahoma’s entry into the SEC and A&M AD Ross Bjork’s declarations, has only intensified the anticipation.

Sherrill’s footprint is unmistakable. His advice to Texas coach Mack Brown to engage deeply with Texas high school coaches underlined his understanding of Texas football's ecosystem. Sherrill may not have yet advised Mike Elko, the current Aggies coach, about the Longhorns, but his intention to emphasize the game's importance is clear.

"The state of Texas deserves the game," Sherrill remarked, capturing the essence of what this rivalry means, not just for the schools involved, but for college football as a whole.