COLLEGE STATION, TX -- The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents today authorized Texas A&M University President R. Bowen Loftin to negotiate and execute new employment contracts with Aggie head football coach Kevin Sumlin and his assistant coaches as proposed by Director of Athletics Eric Hyman.

“Coach Sumlin and the Aggie football coaching staff accomplished a great deal in our first year in the Southeastern Conference,” Hyman stated. “They are laying the foundation for continued success in the most challenging conference in the country. There is a lot of positive momentum across the campus and this will help us continue in that forward direction.”

“Coach Sumlin and the entire football program can see the commitment made by the university and the 12th Man Foundation in facilities such as the Lohman Lobby, the R.C Slocum Nutrition Center and the Davis Performance Center,” Hyman explained. “It is imperative to continue the positive momentum.”

Texas A&M has reached agreement on key contractual terms, such as compensation, with Sumlin and the assistant coaches. Remaining contractual details are still under review, with the contracts expected to be executed in the very near future.

“I am very appreciative of the support of our administration toward our football program,” Sumlin said.

The Aggies finished 2012, their inaugural season in the SEC, with an 11-2 overall record and a 6-2 mark in SEC play, tying LSU for second place in the SEC Western Division. The Aggies ended the season ranked No. 5 in the country, the top finish in the polls since Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant’s 1956 Aggie club also finished with a No. 5 ranking.