Mike Elko Addresses Controversial Remarks About Texas A&M Fans

Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko is looking to move past a controversial postgame moment after publicly criticizing a portion of the Aggies’ fan base following a disappointing loss to Missouri.

Elko addressed his remarks during his weekly press conference Monday, acknowledging that his comments about TexAgs.com, a popular Texas A&M sports website, came out in a way he regretted. The coach’s apology comes as the Aggies attempt to turn around a season that has quickly fallen short of expectations.

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"I regret the way it was taken. I regret the way it came out. I regret the way it ran. That certainly was never my intention. And certainly, throughout the course of that interview, at no point ever did I lend any blame to anything other than myself," Elko said. "I am the reason why this team is struggling. I have owned that since this has started. I continue to own that. It's my job to figure out how to get it better."

Following Texas A&M’s 27-6 defeat against Missouri on Saturday, Elko was asked about fans who might be losing confidence in the program. His response distinguished between the Aggies’ overall fan base and the criticism circulating on social media and online message boards.

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Elko then referred to TexAgs and its co-owner, Billy Liucci, as a "cesspool," drawing attention away from the team’s performance and toward his relationship with supporters.

Elko attempted to clear the air, emphasizing that he maintains a strong relationship with Liucci and appreciates what Texas A&M fans bring to the program.

"I think everybody knows I have a tremendous relationship with Billy. I appreciate Billy. I appreciate him being here today. There's nothing about him and I that have ever been off since 2018. I think everybody knows I appreciate our fanbase and everything that they're about and everything that they mean to Texas A&M. Outside of that, I'll leave it alone."

After opening the season with optimism, Texas A&M suffered consecutive SEC losses to Kentucky and LSU before defeating Arkansas. The Missouri loss then exposed additional issues, leaving the Aggies at 3-3 overall and 1-3 in conference play.

Elko has also acknowledged that his responsibilities as head coach and defensive playcaller may have become too much to manage effectively. He recently handed defensive playcalling duties to coordinator Lyle Hemphill, allowing himself to focus more broadly on improving the team.

While the apology addresses the controversy surrounding his remarks, it does not resolve the problems on the field. Texas A&M still needs to demonstrate that it can compete consistently against SEC opponents and deliver the results expected from the program.

With the pressure mounting, Texas A&M’s response in the coming weeks could prove critical to determining whether Elko can get the program back on track.