Kevin Sumlin rejects notion Texas A&M is rebuilding

Kevin Sumlin had to face questions about not coaching Johnny Manziel this season at Texas A&M during his afternoon session at SEC Media Days, and while many observers think the Aggies are due for a rebuilding year without the former Heisman winner, Sumlin said he doesn’t have time for that.

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The Aggies have recruited well the last two years, in large part because of what Manziel did in College Station, but also because of the personality of Sumlin and the culture he has built at Texas A&M and success he has had in the SEC.

Winning at the same clip without Manziel, Mike Evans and Jake Matthews, all of whom were drafted in the first 22 picks in the 2014 NFL Draft will be a challenge, especially with a defense that finished dead last in a number of defensive metrics a year ago, but Sumlin is not going to adjust his expectations.

"“We don’t have time for a bunch of rebuilding years. There would be another guy standing up here real quick. We’re going to try to go out there, win every game, put our guys in a position to do so, with the mentality that we are here to win. Just to say this is just one of those years, I don’t think I’ve ever done that as a coach, as a head coach or as an assistant.”"

Would you expect Sumlin or any other coach in any sports to come right out and admit this is going to be a “redshirt” year and tell fans not to get their hopes up? Absolutely not.

Sumlin has talent on the roster, including five-star recruits Kyle Allen, Myles Garrett and Speedy Noil who will make significant contributions this year as freshmen, but if Texas A&M was an eight-win team with those three first round picks a season ago, reaching that plateau this year may prove to be a rebuilding year.

Just don’t tell Sumlin that, he doesn’t have time for it.