CAMP UNDER FIRE: Texas A&M Aggies Assistant Coach Accused of Favoritism — Players Report ‘Double Standards’
The Texas A&M Aggies football program, long admired for its disciplined culture and storied traditions, finds itself embroiled in internal conflict after several players have come forward with allegations of favoritism against Assistant Coach Marcus Holloway. In what some insiders are calling “Camp Under Fire,” the situation threatens to fracture team unity just weeks before the start of the 2025 college football season.
Multiple players, speaking anonymously for fear of retaliation, have described a toxic environment where Coach Holloway reportedly grants preferential treatment to a small group of athletes — mainly upperclassmen and high-profile recruits. These players allegedly receive extended reps during practice, exclusive access to training facilities after hours, and leniency when violating team rules. In stark contrast, others are benched for minor infractions and subjected to harsher disciplinary actions.
“There are two sets of rules,” said one junior linebacker. “Some guys can be late to team meetings and still start on Saturdays. Others miss a lift and get buried on the depth chart. It’s demoralizing.”
Tensions reportedly reached a boiling point during a recent closed-door scrimmage, where Holloway allegedly overruled Head Coach Darnell Briggs’ decision to sub in second-string players. Eyewitnesses claim he shouted down support staff and insisted “his guys stay in.” The incident, while not officially documented, has been widely discussed in locker room circles and has drawn the attention of university athletic administrators.
Despite mounting pressure, Holloway has denied all allegations. “Every decision I make is in the best interest of this program,” he stated during a brief media appearance. “We coach hard, we coach fair. That’s our standard.”
But fairness is precisely what players say is missing. Internal communications obtained by The Battalion, Texas A&M’s student-run paper, show a pattern of feedback inconsistently applied during player evaluations. In one case, a redshirt freshman was cited for a “lack of commitment” after missing one optional film session — the same week a senior cornerback skipped two with no written notation.
Veteran position coaches have privately voiced concern. “You can’t build a winning culture on fractured trust,” said one, speaking off the record. “This isn’t just about play time. It’s about integrity.”
With the SEC Media Day looming and preseason rankings set to be announced, the university has issued a statement: “We are aware of the concerns raised within the football program and are reviewing the matter internally.”
Whether this internal review results in disciplinary action remains to be seen. For now, the Aggies continue training under a cloud of uncertainty — a program once united now split along invisible lines of favoritism, ambition, and resentment. If trust is the foundation of every successful team, Texas A&M may find itself rebuilding from the ground up.
