Texas A&M Fires Pitching Coach and Opens Aggressive Transfer-Portal Push

Earley plans a 30-day portal drive to add immediate-impact pitchers, to hire new coaches to fix a steep pitching decline, to shore up the roster ahead of expected MLB Draft departures.

Overview

Hours after Monday's 7-1 College Station Regional loss to USC, head coach Michael Earley dismissed second-year pitching coach Jason Kelly.
Texas A&M's pitching regressed this season to a 5.24 team ERA with 90 home runs allowed, up from a 4.30 ERA and 61 homers in 2025, which Earley cited as a key reason for the staff change.
Earley announced an aggressive plan to pursue transfer-portal players during the current 30-day window, saying the program will target immediate-impact pitchers who can plug starting and bullpen holes.
The Aggies must also plan for heavy roster turnover because top hitters Gavin Grahovac, Caden Sorrell, and Chris Hacopian are expected to enter the 2026 MLB Draft, increasing pressure to add veteran talent.
Texas A&M has institutional resources to pursue high-end portal targets and will likely seek experienced coaching hires and ready-made pitchers to pair with incoming freshmen as it rebuilds for 2027.