“You’ll never get the A&M out of me”: Bob Brock's Final Games Against Texas A&M
Feb 28, 2018 | Softball
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By: Scott Retzlaff, 12thMan.com
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When Bob Brock brings his Sam Houston State Bearkats to College Station on Wednesday, it will be a day full of memories and emotions for the longtime coach. It's only fitting that a trip to Texas A&M is a part of his final coaching season.
Brock is retiring after an illustrious career that has seen him win well over 1,100 games. Along with his time as A&M's head coach from 1982-96, he's had head coaching stops at Baylor and Sam Houston State, while also serving as assistant coach at Tennessee.
His numbers and honors speak for themselves. He won nearly 700 games at Texas A&M. He received multiple Regional Coach of the Year awards and was named National Coach of the Year in 1983. He is a member of the Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame, and was inducted into the NFCA Hall of Fame in 2016.
The accolades and numbers are nice, but championships will always stand alone. He led the Aggies to three of them.
"I'm most proud of the national championships we won at Texas A&M," admitted Brock. "I'd be crazy not to pick that out. That means a lot to me, and I've been able to stay in contact with a lot of those people over the years." Bob Brock and the Aggies celebrating their 1987 NCAA Championship
Coach Brock laid quite a foundation for Aggie softball. Along with the three titles, Brock's teams in 1984 and 1986 finished as national runner-up.
When you talk to current A&M softball players and coaches, you get a feel for how much former Aggie teams, players, and coaches mean to them. They understand the work that went into building the program. It's all about legacy and tradition. Jo Evans understands what Brock meant, and means to the Aggie softball tradition.
"When you think of Bob Brock, you think of those championships they won and all the great players that came out of here," said Evans. "The walls in our clubhouse are full of pictures of those great players, the All-Americans and the trophies. He's a big part of that. He's left quite an impression on the softball world."
Coach Brock isn't shy about his continued love for Texas A&M. He's had other stops in his career, but he's quick to admit that A&M will always have a special place in his heart.
"I still say 'we' a lot when I talk about Texas A&M," stated Brock. "You'll never get the A&M out of me."
"That's another thing that's so great about him is how much he loves Texas A&M," added Evans. "It hasn't mattered where he's been. He's always been very open about his love for Texas A&M, the Aggies, and how much he loved his experience here. I appreciate that about him."
Aggie softball hasn't had many head coaches over the years, which speaks to the consistency of the program. It's been quality, not quantity in terms of coaches. A&M has had three coaches selected to the softball Hall of Fame. Brock is proud to be one of those, and he praises the Texas A&M program for being a model of consistency over the years.
Though his coaching career has taken him elsewhere, he still has a great deal of excitement for what Aggie softball has accomplished through the years. He's also excited for the future of the program, which very much includes the opening of Davis Diamond.
"It's going to be amazing if it's anything like the pictures I have seen," stated Brock. "To be a part of helping that program get going is really special. Back in the day, I was so excited about the Aggie Softball Complex being built. It's great that the program has continued to grow and get new things done."
Success on the diamond has been a standard for Brock over the years. He's proud of that success and has cherished his role as a coach. What he's cherished even more, however, has been his role as a mentor for so many student-athletes, coaches, and staff members over the years.
Shawn Andaya (now Pulliam) is one of many former players who rave about their time playing under Brock.
Pulliam, who wasn't highly recruited during her high school career, was signed to a full scholarship by Brock. All she needed was a chance, and Coach Brock delivered.
"I feel very blessed to have played for Coach Brock," said Pulliam. "Coach Brock took a chance on me, and it changed my life. I was from a tough neighborhood in Stockton, California, and not exactly headed in the right direction. It all changed when he took a leap of faith in me and gave me a chance. I am a graduate of Texas A&M and reached the highest pinnacle of the sport to be a National Champion."
When asked about his retirement from the game, Pulliam says the game won't be the same without him.
"Coach Brock is one of the winningest coaches in NCAA Softball," she added. "What an amazing accomplishment when you look across the nation and see all the talented coaches in the sport. Softball will miss him dearly."
Gay McNutt shared the same sentiments about her time playing for Brock.
"Grateful doesn't even come close to how I feel about my time spent under Coach Brock as a player," stated McNutt. "I will always be indebted to him for being a leader, a motivator and a mentor. My four years at Texas A&M will always be remembered as some of the best, and I have Coach Brock to thank for that. I wish him the best as he goes through his final season, and as he enters his new journey."
Comments like these show the kind of impact Brock has made over the years. Now that his coaching career is coming to a close, he's had a bit of time to reflect on the successes, both on and off the field.
"That's the part that clouds me up a little bit," Brock acknowledged. "I've had players go on to be coaches. I've had players go on to have tremendous success in life. I've worked with people on staffs who continue to grow in their careers. That kind of stuff is what kept me in the game so long. Seeing the kids grow and graduate has meant a lot to me, and that's the part that I'm really going to miss."
All of this leads to a doubleheader at the Aggie Softball Complex. It's one final coaching experience for Brock at the Aggie Softball Complex. What are his hopes and expectations for the day?
"I guess the most important thing is to not get thrown out that day," Brock joked. "I'll have a lot of emotions. I'm never at a loss for words, but just thinking about it chokes me up a little bit. It will be a happy time, and I'll have so many memories. Those memories will carry with me far after my coaching career."
His coaching career may be coming to an end, but his love of Texas A&M and Aggie softball is sure to remain.
"I've always been treated very well when I've been at Texas A&M," Brock finished. "This is my last game as a coach there, but it doesn't mean I can't come and watch the Aggies in the future."
However Wednesday's games end up, Evans and the Aggies are excited to play host to the former A&M coach one more time.
"It gives us an opportunity to acknowledge him, what he's done for the sport and what he's done for Texas A&M," Evans continued. "It will be great for him to be here. We'll be able to shake his hand, give him a hug, congratulate him and wish him well in his retirement. He's certainly earned it."
