Texas A&M Athletic Director Trev Alberts has been at the forefront of adjusting to every recent change that has affected the college football landscape, especially concerning the House vs. NCAA settlement. After replacing former AD Ross Bjork, who departed to take the same position with Ohio State in the spring of 2024, Alberts immediately executed sweeping changes throughout the athletic department.
Entering his second full athletic season in the prestigious position, Alberts fully understands the need to match the University’s financial advantages to winning, and winning consistently at every level. With the 2025 football season just 16 days away, coach Mike Elko and Alberts are on the same page, dedicated to building the program through recruiting and replenishing any needs through the transfer portal.
However, while football remains king in College Station, new men’s basketball head coach Bucky McMillan will enter his inaugural season in early November. Meanwhile, Albert’s controversial decision to bring back baseball coach Michael Earley has been widely criticized and will take center stage next spring.
On Thursday, Alberts sat down for an extensive interview with TexAgs Live host David Nuno, providing his essential opinion on the ever-changing college football landscape and how he has continued to lead Texas A&M’s Athletic Department through the new NIL changes that have affected every program in the country. Here’s what he had to say.
Trev Albert’s opening remarks
“I am really proud of the team. Our coaches and staff… Our entire university has attacked this change in the appropriate way. I feel good where we are right now.”
Alberts has the confidence to make changes when necessary
“I never have been afraid of change. I kind of enjoy it. I view this opportunity as a chance to make a difference.”
“I am the product of the blessed privilege of getting to be a college football player in the early ’90s and late ’80s. I wouldn’t be
Alberts on the need to “fight” for college football and college athletics
“We have a duty and responsibility to fight for college football and college athletics to continue to make a difference and impact the lives of young people. We need to take that seriously.”
Alberts on the many changes to college athletics
“We have not had the ability to proactively lay out the rules… You will see certain schools make announcements. We will get more communication from the CSC as they continue to fill out their staff.”
“We are in a period of, still, some unknowns.”
Alberts on “protecting” the Texas A&M brand
“Part of the challenge sitting in my seat is to protect the integrity of this brand. At the same time, we can’t create barriers for our coaches… There is a balance. We try to be as aggressive as we can but fight hard to make sure we are doing things within the rules.”
Alberts praises head football coach Mike Elko
“We have really smart football coach who knows what he is doing, with great strategy and surrounded himself with good people and the rest of our coaches, as well. I am confident in our ability to create the right strategy within the rules.”
Alberts on the resources available to every student athlete
“We offer lots of services to student athletes. Some don’t take advantage. We feel like it’s our responsibility to make those resources available.”
Alberts on the four individuals who will work with corporate sponsors
“There will be four full-time people that aren’t selling sports sponsorship. They are out and engaged with the corporate sponsors folks, working with the Association of Former Students and people who run companies… The focus is first with football, but with all of our sports is grow fair market value NIL for student athletes. It organically grows your cap. That’s the piece we need to leverage and be really good at.”
Alberts on growing Texas A&M’s “brand value”
“We have to start thinking of ourselves as a media company. That sounds weird, but it’s more about the brand value. Everything we do is going to be how strong our brand is. We know where we are and where others are around us.”
Alberts on Texas A&M’s immense potential
“We have created strategies to accelerate the brand growth. Winning is a big part, but that is what makes me so excited about being at Texas A&M. I say this as respectful as possible, we have done great things here, but look at the upside and potential for Texas A&M. That’s what it’s exciting to be a part of.”
Alberts on President Donald Trump’s impact on college athletics
“You are happy the President of the United States thinks there is value in college athletics to even talk about it. I think college athletics is critically important to being an American. It’s who we are. It’s our culture.”
Alberts on the future of college athletics beyond NIL
“All the things outside of football will be professionalized. Eventually, you will see more corporate sponsors and partners in different areas. I think there is a real opportunity for us there.”
Alberts on college athletics being “undervalued”
“I think college athletics is undervalued. We have to accelerate that kind of growth. It’s the monetization of the brand that we had to think through.”
Alberts on the new Playfly sponsorship deal with Texas A&M
“Playfly has experience in tying those types of events to NIL. Absolutely, events add to the total revenue for the department.”
“Jerry Jones is looking for ways to use Jerry World for a lot of other ways other than Cowboy football games. We need to do that kind of stuff, and we will. We are working hard on it.”
“There are legal things we have to work through. That is not an excuse for why we didn’t have anything this summer. We are going to do more of these types of events.”
The 12th Man has continued to pay off
“Every possible roster spot we are allowed to have a scholarship for, we are funding… There are very few places that have the kind of support.”
“The 12th Man has given us everything we need, and it’s our time to go and execute. Put our heads down, and get it done.”
Alberts on his close relationship with Mike Elko
“These jobs require the Athletic Director and the head football coach to have a partnership and trust. You will not be successful in fighting each other.”
Alberts believes that Mike Elko is building something great in College Station
“I trust Mike Elko that he knows how to build the right culture, roster and staff to win at the highest level. I admire him and his work ethic. He is a genuine and authentic human being. We have the right football coach for Texas A&M. I think he will be very, very successful.”
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: ‘It’s who we are. It’s our culture’: Everything Texas A&M AD Trev Alberts said to TexAgs