Here is a brief timeline of Texas A&M administrators making it extremely obvious as of late that they’re thinking about firing head football coach Kevin Sumlin, an apparent change in tone from previous years, when admins publicly backed him repeatedly.

May 2017

Athletic director Scott Woodward says Sumlin “knows he has to win and he has to win this year,” coming off a trio of eight-win seasons:

Texas A&M AD Scott Woodward didn't mince words on Finebaum today. "Coach knows he has to win and he has to win this year." #12thMan pic.twitter.com/Qopj1oV1rB — Colin Deaver (@KAGS_Colin) May 30, 2017

“Last year was extremely disappointing,” Woodward said.

“Nothing changes for me,” Sumlin would say later.

Sept. 3, 2017

In an unhinged Facebook post after a come-from-34-points-ahead loss to UCLA, an A&M university system regent writes on Facebook that he wants Sumlin fired:

I'm sure I may be criticized for this post but I honestly don't care. I've been on the Board of Regents for the A&M System for almost seven years. During that time, I've not once commented on Kevin Sumlin and his performance during his tenure at our school. I never said a word when he and his agent manipulated a much bigger and longer contract. I said nothing about his arrogance and his mishandling of multiple player controversies. I said nothing when we had multiple awesome recruiting classes, only to see key players leave our school or underperform. But tonight I am very disappointed and I have to say this. Kevin Sumlin was out-coached tonight, which isn't new. He recruits well, but can't coach the big games, or the close games. Our players were better tonight. Our players were more talented tonight. But our coaches were dominated on national TV, yet again. I'm only one vote on the Board of Regents but when the time comes my vote will be that Kevin Sumlin needs to GO. In my view he should go now. We owe it to our school and our players. We can do better. Share this as you see fit.

Sept. 29, 2017

An interviewer asks A&M chancellor John Sharp if Sumlin is safe. The chancellor responds that he’s “not the athletic director,” implying it’s not his decision.

The AD works for the chancellor, so his deference to an AD who’s publicly put Sumlin on notice is not a good sign for Sumlin.

“I like Kevin. Nice guy,” he said.

He added that, “yup,” he’s still steamed about that UCLA loss.

Usually, administrators publicly back a coach until near the end.

There’s a long history of the “vote of confidence,” where an athletic director or a president goes out of his or her way to remind everyone that the coach is doing a great job and has my complete faith, or whatever. That’s a hollow endorsement, usually, and it tends to be an awful sign for the head coach who’s getting it.

At least A&M’s bosses are dispensing with shallow niceties, I guess?