Elko Regrets Cesspool Comments After Texas A&M Loss

Texas A&M coach Mike Elko apologized Monday for remarks made after the Aggies' 27-6 loss to Missouri, addressing criticism involving TexAgs and the team's fanbase while taking responsibility for the program's struggles.

According to ESPN, Elko said his postgame comments came during an emotional moment after Texas A&M fell to 3-3 following the defeat at No. 14 Missouri. The coach said he regretted how the comments were received and delivered.

Elko addressed the issue at his weekly news conference with TexAgs executive editor and co-owner Billy Liucci in attendance. He said he valued his relationship with Liucci and the Texas A&M fanbase.

"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," said Elko, Texas A&M coach.

Elko also explained that the criticism was not intended to shift blame away from himself. He said he remains responsible for improving a team that has struggled after entering the season with high expectations.

"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. 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," said Elko, Texas A&M coach.

Before the apology, Elko had separated criticism from supporters of the program and comments made on social media after the Missouri loss.

"There's one group that I really don't care much about. Billy's cesspool can go be Billy's cesspool," said Elko, Texas A&M coach.

He then emphasized his message to supporters who remain behind the program during a difficult stretch.

"Our fanbase: Stay with us, be behind us, we're going to build something that we told you we were going to build. We're in a really bad spot right now, but we'll work our way out of it," said Elko, Texas A&M coach.

Liucci responded after the comments, writing on X that criticizing a large portion of the fanbase was unnecessary. TexAgs, founded in 1997, provides daily Texas A&M athletics coverage and hosts a message board for subscribers.

"Calling out an incredibly large portion of the loyal but also understandably frustrated fan base was a wildly unnecessary misstep," wrote Liucci, TexAgs executive editor and co-owner.

Texas A&M entered the season ranked No. 8 in the preseason AP Top 25 after an 11-2 season and the program's first College Football Playoff appearance in Elko's second year. The Aggies later suffered losses to Kentucky, LSU and Missouri.

Elko also changed his coaching responsibilities after the loss at LSU, handing defensive playcalling duties to defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill while moving into a broader CEO role.

"That was an important step just so I could have the freedom to be involved in everything," said Elko, Texas A&M coach.

Elko said the offense must improve after quarterback Marcel Reed ranked 15th among SEC starters in passing yards per game with 182.8, six passing touchdowns and six interceptions, while the Aggies scored six points in each of their previous two losses.

Texas A&M is scheduled to play The Citadel on Saturday before returning to SEC competition against No. 6 Alabama on Oct. 24.