Elko Regrets Calling Texas A&M Fan Site a Cesspool After Missouri Loss

Texas A&M coach Mike Elko expressed regret Monday for remarks made after Saturday's 27-6 loss to Missouri, in which he referred to the TexAgs website and an online portion of the fanbase as a "cesspool." Elko said the viral comment, made in the heat of the moment, came across in a way he certainly regretted.

The Aggies dropped to 3-3 overall and 1-3 in SEC play following the defeat in Columbia. The loss marked another offensive struggle, with the team managing only six points for the second consecutive game.

Speaking Monday at his weekly news conference with TexAgs founder Billy Liucci in attendance, Elko acknowledged his poor word choice and sought to clarify his intent.

"I think everybody knows I have a tremendous relationship with Billy," Elko said. "I appreciate Billy. I appreciate him being here today. There's nothing about him and I that have ever been off since 2018."

Elko emphasized accountability for the team's struggles rather than deflecting blame toward external criticism.

"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," Elko said.

TexAgs, founded in 1997, operates as the largest independent source of daily Texas A&M athletics coverage. The site hosts a message board with thousands of subscribers and partners with the university to create name-image-likeness opportunities for student-athletes.

Liucci responded to Elko's Saturday comments via social media, writing that the coach's remarks represented "a wildly unnecessary misstep" in calling out "an incredibly large portion of the loyal but also understandably frustrated fan base."

Texas A&M began the 2026 season ranked No. 8 in the preseason AP Top 25 following an 11-2 campaign and the program's first College Football Playoff appearance. Losses to Kentucky, LSU, and Missouri have since jeopardized those playoff ambitions.

Quarterback Marcel Reed ranks 15th among SEC starters in passing yards per game with 182.8 yards and carries a 45.5 QBR, the No. 92 rating in FBS. He has thrown six touchdown passes and six interceptions this season.

Elko said Monday he handed over defensive playcalling duties to defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill following the 35-6 loss to LSU, allowing him to assume a CEO role focused on addressing systemic problems.

"That was an important step just so I could have the freedom to be involved in everything," Elko said. "I just think that was probably to the detriment of us for a couple weeks -- LSU, Kentucky -- trying to do too many things and probably not doing any of them well, to be honest."

Texas A&M faces FCS opponent The Citadel on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET on SEC Network+ before a road matchup at No. 6 Alabama on October 24.