Aggie Nation in Mourning: Beloved Former Coach R.C. Slocum Dies in Tragic Building Collapse at Texas A&M
College Station, TX — In an unthinkable tragedy that has shaken the very heart of Texas A&M University, legendary former head football coach R.C. Slocum has died at the age of 79 following a catastrophic building collapse on the university’s campus late Monday evening.
Authorities say the incident occurred at the John D. White ’70 – Robert L. Walker ’58 Music Activities Center just after 6:45 p.m. during a donor appreciation event. Witnesses reported a loud rumble and sudden structural failure as the north wing of the building gave way, sending debris, steel, and shattered glass cascading onto the guests. Slocum, a cherished figure in the Texas A&M community, was in attendance as a guest of honor.
Emergency responders arrived within minutes and began searching the rubble for survivors. Slocum was located by first responders under a collapsed beam and was immediately rushed to St. Joseph Health Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead from traumatic injuries at 8:12 p.m.
“R.C. Slocum was more than a coach — he was a symbol of integrity, resilience, and leadership,” said Texas A&M President Gen. (Ret.) Mark A. Welsh III in a statement late Monday night. “Tonight, we lost a giant. The entire Aggie family grieves.”
A Legend Lost
R.C. Slocum, who served as head football coach from 1989 to 2002, was the winningest coach in Texas A&M history with a record of 123–47–2. Known for his calm demeanor, strategic genius, and deep loyalty to the university, he led the Aggies to four conference championships and numerous bowl games, including a perfect Southwest Conference season in 1993.
“He wasn’t just our coach, he was our North Star,” said former quarterback Bucky Richardson. “When things were falling apart — on or off the field — R.C. always knew how to keep us together.”
Slocum continued to serve the university in various roles after his coaching days, including as special assistant to the president and interim athletic director. In 2021, he announced a personal battle with lymphoma, which he fought courageously and overcame. He officially retired in January 2025, closing the book on over five decades of service to the school he called home.
Shock, Sorrow, and Tributes
As news spread, the reaction was immediate and deeply emotional.
Candles and maroon ribbons began appearing outside Kyle Field within hours of the announcement. By midnight, a spontaneous vigil had formed, with students, alumni, and former players gathering to share stories, prayers, and tears. A single pair of white Aggie gloves and a maroon coaching headset were laid gently at the base of the 12th Man statue.
The football team canceled all practices for the week. Interim head coach DeMarvin Leal posted simply, “Forever our Coach. Rest easy, R.C. #GigEm” on X (formerly Twitter).
Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered flags at state buildings to fly at half-staff and called Slocum “a true Texas treasure.”
Investigating the Collapse
The cause of the building collapse remains under investigation. University officials stated that structural engineers had conducted a routine inspection in January 2025 and found no issues. However, video footage shows the northeast support column shaking moments before the collapse. A joint task force of state officials, structural engineers, and campus safety investigators is being assembled to determine the cause.
“This tragedy demands answers,” said Chancellor John Sharp. “We owe it to the Slocum family and everyone affected.”
At least six others were injured in the incident, including two university staff members and three alumni. None of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening.
A Legacy of Character
R.C. Slocum was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2012. But beyond the trophies and accolades, it was his personal impact that will be most remembered.
“He would text you out of nowhere to check on your mom,” said Dat Nguyen, a former linebacker and NFL Pro Bowler. “He never forgot a birthday. He knew the names of your kids. I owe my life to him.”
Perhaps no moment defines Slocum more than his leadership following the 1999 Aggie Bonfire collapse, which claimed 12 lives. In the aftermath, Slocum canceled football activities and stood by grieving students day and night. When the Aggies upset the University of Texas just days later, it became one of the most emotionally charged victories in program history.
“He never made it about football,” said then-assistant coach Mike Hankwitz. “It was always about people.”
Final Farewell
Funeral services for R.C. Slocum will be held at Reed Arena on Saturday at 11 a.m., with a burial to follow at the Aggie Field of Honor. The service will be open to the public and streamed live for those unable to attend in person.
The university also announced that the north entrance to Kyle Field will be renamed “Slocum Gate,” and a bronze statue of the coach will be erected there by fall 2025.
As the campus mourns the loss of its beloved patriarch, a familiar rallying cry echoes once more across College Station: “Once an Aggie, Always an Aggie.”
And now, more than ever, those words carry the weight of a legacy that time will never collapse.
