Tag: Billy Liucci

Breaking: Texas A&M is set to hire Mike Elko as the next football head coach

According to multiple sources, Duke head coach Mike Elko is in line to become the 30th head coach For Texas A&M Football.

After Saturday night’s chaotic ending following the botched hiring of Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops, Texas A&M’s search for the next head football coach after the firing of Jimbo Fisher has finally reached its conclusion, as, according to multiple sources, Duke head coach and former Texas A&M defensive coordinator Mike Elko has been named Fisher’s immediate successor.

On Sunday afternoon, TexAgs’ Billy Liucci officially confirmed the news that the A&M Board of Regents made the decision late Saturday night, just hours after the Stoops debacle, as the longtime favorite to succeed Fisher at the helm potentially has finally reached the mountain-top.

While Fisher’s $76.8 million buyout will likely remain a record for quite some time, Elko’s reported buyout from Duke sits at around $5 million, making this a win-win from a financial standpoint.

Ending his Duke career with a 16-9 record, Elko has guided the Blue Devils to consecutive bowl appearances, as his first head coaching stint was impressive, to say the least.

Elko’s four seasons in College Station were built on consistent progress. The Aggies’ defense continued to improve yearly, including his ninth-ranked unit during the 9-1 2020 season, the most successful campaign under Jimbo Fisher during his Aggie career.

Regarding relationships, Elko is close with several of A&M’s coaching staff members, including interim head coach Elijah Robinson, who will likely stay with the program, so stay tuned for any updates.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

Breaking: It has now been reported that Mark Stoops is staying at Kentucky

Mark Stoops, who was reportedly expected to become Texas A&M’s next head football coach, is staying at Kentucky.

It has now been confirmed that Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops will not be taking the Texas A&M head coaching position after all, as Saturday’s news has taken a sudden twist after Kentucky Sports Radio host Matt Jones released the news just hours after the first announcement.

Multiple sources, including TexAgs’ Billy Liucci, AggieYell Editor Mark Passwaters, and ESPN insider Pete Thamel, confirmed that Stoops will stay in Lexington (KY) after all, as nothing was finalized between both parties.

Stoops, who is finished his 11th year at Kentucky with a 7-5 record (matching A&M), has compiled a 72-64 record (35-55 SEC) and has taken the Wildcats to seven bowl game appearances, including four wins while recording two 10-win seasons in 2018 and 2021.

At the age of 56, Stoops has a proven track record. Still, after firing Fisher with an enormous $76.8 Million buyout attached, this looks more like a lateral move, if any—Stoop’s $4.5 Million buyout was probably a selling point initially. Still, until we receive the inner details regarding the sudden change in the agreement, the Aggies will return to the drawing board as the coaching search continues.

Saturday’s reports from Thamel and The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman included UTSA’s Jeff Traylor, Arizona’s Jedd Fisch, Duke’s Mike Elko, and Utah’s Kyle Whittingham as fellow candidates for the postion. At the same time, Stoop’s sudden inclusion surprised many. Here is a personal message from the man himself:

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

Report: Kentucky HC Mark Stoops is a candidate to take over at Texas A&M

According to multiple sources, Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops has emerged a legitimate candidate during Texas A&M’s head coaching search.

We’ve reached what looks to be the final stages of Texas A&M’s exhaustive search for the program’s next head football coach after the recent firing of now-former head coach Jimbo Fisher.

Throughout the week, credit to TexAgs’ Executive Editor and Co-Owner Billy Liucci, who has continued to drop several “nuggets” regarding potential names Texas A&M Athletic Director Ross Bjork has and will pursue in the coming days.

Earlier this week, Liucci revealed that Ohio State head coach Ryan Day remains a candidate for the position despite being a long shot to leave the Buckeyes, especially if Ohio State were to lose to Michigan on Saturday. Now, after his most recent update, one surprising name has emerged late, as Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops enters the race, which was further confirmed by ESPN CFB insider Pete Thamel and The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman on Saturday morning.

“One name that is expected to emerge in the next 24 hours is Kentucky coach Mark Stoops,” Thamel stated on ESPN’s College GameDay.”He coaches a rivalry game against Louisville (on Saturday), and the next 24 hours will be critical for his candidacy.”

Stoops, who is finishing his 11th year at Kentucky, has compiled a 72-64 record (35-55 SEC) and has taken the Wildcats to seven bowl game appearances, including four wins while recording two 10-win seasons in 2018 and 2021. At the age of 56, Stoops has a proven track record, but after firing Fisher with an enormous $76.8 Million buyout attached, this looks more like a lateral move, if any.

However, Thamel explained that this is just one name out of several contending candidates, including UTSA’s Jeff Traylor, Arizona’s Jedd Fisch, Duke’s Mike Elko, and Utah’s Kyle Whittingham.

“One source cautioned me that things are fractured at Texas A&M,” Thamel stated. “a lot of people put up a lot of money to pay off Jimbo Fisher, so don’t expect this to be a linear search to the finish.”

While Mark Stoops and Ryan Day are the hot-button names of the day, anything can change at the drop of a hat.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

Report: Sources indicate that Texas A&M has fired head coach Jimbo Fisher

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Texas A&M head football coach Jimbo Fisher has been fired.

As of Sunday, Nov. 12, Texas A&M head football coach Jimbo Fisher has been fired, according to several sources who indicated the news earlier this morning. Associate head coach Elijah Robinson will be promoted as the interim head coach, according to ESPN CFB insider Pete Thamel.

In six seasons at the helm, Fisher finished with a 45-25 overall record and a 27-21 record in SEC play, but outside of the 9-1 finish during the Covid-impacted 2020 season, including a victory in the Orange Bowl. Fisher’s tenure has been woefully underwhelming since, especially when the play on the field failed to match recruiting success in recent seasons.

Coming as a shock to many, TexAgs Co-owner and Executive Editor Billy Liucci was the first break on the story that Fisher may be let go as early as Sunday morning, just days after the Board of Regents met on Thursday, Nov. 9.

Financially, this will cost the program over $76.8 million, as his dense contract is set to expire in 2031, but hey, they knew this all along before the final decision was made.

Texas A&M is fresh off its 51-10 win over Mississippi State less than 24 hours ago. It will now face Abilene Christian next Saturday for yet another early kick-off (11:00 CT.) before taking on LSU on the road in the regular season finale.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

Texas A&M QB Max Johnson’s status vs. Mississippi State is still up in the air

Texas A&M quarterback Max Johnson could miss Saturday’s night’s matchup vs. Mississippi State.

Even though Texas A&M head football coach Jimbo Fisher stated that starting quarterback Max Johnson, who sustained an apparent rib injury in the Aggies 38-35 loss to Ole Miss last weekend, is set to play vs. Mississippi State on Saturday night, trusting Fisher’s word may not be enough to garner confidence that Johnson is healthy enough to see the field.

For reference, after a rumor regarding Johnson’s rib injury made its way through social media just a day after the Ole Miss loss, Fisher surprisingly revealed that the veteran signal-caller was injured but would not miss any playing time during his annual Monday press conference.

“Max was able to finish the game, was a couple off tough shots, but we’ll wait and see how it goes. But he should be good. I’m planning on him playing and hopefully we’ll see as it goes day-by-day.”

Fast forward to Wednesday, Fisher stated that Johnson had been practicing during the week, which solidified that Max would start against the Bulldogs, Right? Well, Friday’s reveal from TexAgs Executive Editor Billy Liucci stated on TexAgs Radio that he does not expect Johnson to suit out on Saturday. At the same time, star wide receiver Evan Stewart is doubtful to play.

However, starting cornerbacks Tyreek Chappell and Deuce Harmon have practiced all week and are slated to return. Again, if Max Johnson cannot go, former Fresno State quarterback Jaylen Henderson, who only has one career pass attempt, will start in his place. Buckle up, folks.

Texas A&M will return to Kyle Field to take on Mississippi State on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 6:30 pm. CT. The game will air on ESPN2.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

Star Aggies WR Evan Stewart sits down for a bye week interview with TexAgs

Big Play wide receiver Evan Stewart sits down with TexAgs to discuss his bye week plans, his health, and the state of the Aggie offense.

Earlier this week, second-year wide receiver Evan Stewart sat down with Billy Liucci at TexAgs to talk about everything from his injury recovery to the music he listened to as a kid riding in the car with his parents.

Stewart, as always, provided some great insight into the state of the offense and how the defense has come into its own. Despite the last two tough losses and the news of top recruit Drelon Miller de-committing, the ascending superstar appears locked in and ready to return to the practice field. Below are a few quotes from the interview:

When asked about his mentality while playing nicked up.

“I know a lot of my opponents know who I am and what I’m capable of when I’m 100 percent. Just off my name, I feel like they know they have to guard me pretty closely. Even when I’m not 100 percent, I’m still explosive and consistent on every route, getting open and catching the rock. I don’t think it changes too much from my game and how I want to play.”

Evan Stewart talks about how he is going to spend the bye week.

“I have to get into my social media presence this week because I’ve been locked in for the season. I’ll interact with a few more of my fans and make a few more posts than usual. I’m also just going to kick it at the crib and get ready for South Carolina next week. I’m honestly just ready to get back on the practice field too.”

He was not at a loss for words when praising the defense, naming numerous defensive players and what they bring to the team.

This was an entertaining interview that everyone should check out. Evan Stewart is very open from a personal standpoint, and Luicci asked some great questions that even had both get up to show off their dance moves.

Even while battling nagging injuries, Evan Stewart has been recognized nationally as a top player at the position. In six starts this season, Stewarts is tied with Ainias Smith in receiving yards with 31 receptions for 451 yards and four touchdowns through seven games.

The Aggies will take the time during the bye week to heal up and see about getting the offense back on track for a strong finish in the back half of the season.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on Twitter: @whosnextsports1.

Paul Finebaum discusses Texas A&M’s pivotal road trip to Tennessee with TexAgs’ Billy Liucci and David Nuño

Earlier this week, SEC Network’s Paul Finebaum sat down with Billy Liucci and David Nuño of TexAgs to discuss Texas A&M vs. Tennessee.

Lost in the pre-game coverage shuffle before Texas A&M’s (4-2, 2-1 SEC) pivotal road trip to face Tennessee (4-1, 1-1 SEC) on Saturday afternoon, SEC Network’s Paul Finebaum joined TexAgs’s Billy Liucci and David Nuño earlier this week to reflect on the Aggies recent 26-20 loss to Alabama, and the challenge the Vols present within a packed Neyland Stadium.

Texas A&M’s 2023 season isn’t in utter turmoil, no matter the apathy that has set in with a portion of the fanbase. While blatant coaching mistakes, offensive line issues, and poor play in the defensive secondary plagued the Aggies through the second half against the Crimson Tide, one loss in the SEC doesn’t destroy their chances in the West. For Finebaum, Jimbo Fisher’s resilient squad can change the narrative with a win in Knoxville.

“I favored Alabama, and not for a specific reason. Rather just because they were on a roll. They were beatable. Watching from an Aggie perspective, it had to be exasperating. If you move things around, it could have been a breakthrough win. There are more questionable decisions that bother me. I don’t think this is armageddon. This is a bad loss, but you can get it back. I think that Knoxville is so imperative. Tennessee is a mystery. The only way to make up for Saturday is to win in Knoxville.”

One of the more surprising stats concerning Fisher’s lack of success on the road is precisely the fact that he has not defeated a ranked opponent on the road since 2016, while the Aggies, under his tutelage, have yet to win a true SEC road game since 2021, makes Saturday’s matchup even more critical regarding his future with the program.

This is one of three SEC road games remaining on the schedule, and as Finebaum stated in the interview, it’s time to get the program back where they were just two short weeks ago.

“I felt better about Jimbo Fisher talking to everyone on the A&M campus. A win in Knoxville pushes this program forward, and that has been the problem. It’s one thing to win at Kentucky or South Carolina. Winning at Tennessee would be a big win. Fisher needs big wins. He needs to take the program back to where it was a couple of weeks ago.”

This game will likely come down to A&M’s secondary vs. the big arm of Vols quarterback Joe Milton, who, like Alabama QB Jalen Milroe last week, is more of a “big play” signal caller lacking consistency in the pocket.

“Joe Milton is a mystery. He makes big plays, just like Jalen Milroe. Maybe better in decision-making.”

However, if the Aggies’ elite pass rush can continue its dominance in the trenches throughout the game, this could once again land at the feet of quarterback Max Johnson’s ability to move the offense down the field.

Texas A&M will travel to face the Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday, Oct. 14, at 2:30 p.m. CT, inside Neyland Stadium (TV: CBS).

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

According to TexAgs’ Billy Liucci, Texas is much more prepared for the SEC than Oklahoma

According to TexAgs’ Billy Liucci, Texas is much more prepared for its jump to the SEC in 2024 than Oklahoma.

Texas A&M’s inaugural SEC season in 2012 was one for the records books, led by star freshman quarterback Johnny Manziels‘ Heisman-winning 11-2 revival of pure unadulterated excitement in College Station, Texas, while also being a complete abnormality when comparing other programs’ entrance into the toughest conference in the country.

Since entering the SEC, The Aggies have gone a collective 90-48 behind both former Head Coach Kevin Sumlin and current Head Coach Jimbo Fisher, coming off the program’s worst record in 14 seasons (5-7, 2-6 SEC), setting up what is a crucial 2023 campaign to get things back on track behind a talented roster, and experienced coaching staff.

However, the legendary Lone Star Showdown vs. the Texas Longhorns has been on a frustrating pause since the 2011 season after the Aggies departed from the Big 12, but after the exciting announcement during the SEC Spring Meetings in early June, culminating in the 2024 SEC schedule reveal just a couple of weeks later, Texas vs. Texas A&M on the gridiron is officially back, and here to stay (tentatively).

Looking ahead, Texas A&M’s nearly 13-year SEC mainstay seemingly put them far ahead of Texas and other future newcomer Oklahoma. Still, as we know, the progress of a program is heavily based on recruiting success, and according to TexAgs’ Billy Liucci, who appeared on the Paul Finebaum show on Monday, believes that current Longhorns Head Coach Steve Sarkisian has his program is much better postion to compete in the conference right off the bat compared to the Sooners:

“Texas is doing a hell of a lot better than OU is in terms of preparing to come into this league” Liucci stated “Sooner fans are in for a rude awakening are in for the rudest awakening because they’ve been going, except last year, 10-2, 11-1, making the playoffs. They’ve been doing that because they’ve been doing it against the Big 12.”

As usual, Liucci has a great point, especially when emphasizing Oklahoma’s horrific defensive showings in the last four or so seasons which were covered mainly by record-setting offenses during Lincoln Riley’s reign, including their 12-2 2018 season with the No.1-ranked offense, and the 109th-ranked defense.

In the SEC, defense, especially winning in the trenches, has been Georgia’s bread and butter during their Championship run. When comparing Texas’ impressive performance against Alabama last season, including their rematch in 2023, Sarkisian’s player development and recruiting prowess places him a step above Oklahoma until further notice.

The 2023 SEC season marks the final time for the East and West divisions, providing teams the opportunity for matchup parity while traveling to a multitude of venues while keeping their most essential rivalries, specifically the Lone Star Showdown, which could end up yielding significant implications for both teams in 2024.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=5]

TexAgs’ Billy Liucci previews Texas A&M’s 2023 CFB season on ‘That SEC Podcast’

On the third day of the 2023 SEC Media Days, TexAgs’ Billy Liucci appeared on “That SEC Podcast” to preview the Aggies’ 2023 CFB Season

The 2023 college football season is just 44 days away, as Texas A&M will kick off their pivotal campaign against New Mexico inside what should be a packed Kyle Field on Saturday, Sept. 2

This week, the 2023 SEC Media Days in Nashville, Tennessee, have taken over the airwaves as Aggies Head Coach Jimbo Fisher took the podium on Monday to preview the upcoming season while continuing to keep certain aspects of the team under wraps, providing plenty of fodder for many in media to utilize for the next two months.

The trio of players who represented the Maroon and White includes wide receiver Ainias Smith, defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson, and defensive end Fadil Diggs, whose memorable style and swagger painted a bright picture of what will hopefully be a successful rebound as their highly disappointing 5-7 2022 season.

As I could not make the trip to Nashville this week, TexAgs took the coverage reigns, as the consistently excellent trio of Billy Liucci, David Nuńo, and Olin Buchanan provided a litany of interviews and analysis during the week’s entirety.

On Wednesday, Liucci, who is part owner and Executive Editor for the site, sat down with the guys from “That SEC Podcast,” who gave his preview of Texas A&M’s crucial upcoming football season while providing a sneak peek into the Aug. 8 premiere of Netflix’s “Untold: Johnny Manziel” documentary.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=5]

Paul Finebaum, Billy Liucci discuss reestablished rivalry between Texas A&M and Texas

Paul Finebaum and TexAgs executive editor Billy Liucci made waves this week while discussing the renewal of the Lone Star Showdown in 2024.

The Texas Longhorns that we all love to hate are finally making their way to the SEC alongside Oklahoma in 2024, meaning that the Lone Star Showdown between Texas and Texas A&M is poised to resume for the first time since 2011. Great news all around.

Well, after TexAgs co-owner and executive editor Billy Liucci made his way to the Paul Finebaum show on Wednesday to discuss the reestablished rivalry, the issue regarding who will host the first matchup, which Texas A&M AD Ross Bjork made clear would take place in College Station, took over the conversation from the onset.

“Ross has drawn his line in the sand that the first game is going to be played right here accross the street at Kyle Field. Chris Del Conte acts like he’s not aware of that at all”

Strictly based on what SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey stated during the SEC Spring Meetings last week, the symbolic “line in the sand” that Liucci referenced comes from the top, making Ross Bjork a simple messenger among the chaos. Finebaum later asked if the reason for the decision had to do with Aggie fans’ belief that the rivalry would permanently cease to resume after the 2011 season; Liucci responded,

“It’s almost like, hey, you owe us one after all that. And I dont think the SEC would think of it that way… but it sure seems to me that the A&M Athletic Director (Ross Bjork) has been led to believe, or even told that first game is going to be there”

Think what you’d like about the decision. Still, in the end, this is essentially a “welcome to the NFL” moment for Texas, who, after years of facing porous defenses and losing to Kansas in semi-annual fashion, will now enter an SEC gauntlet that will chew you up and spit you out week to week (See Texas A&M’s 2022 season for reference).

The bottom line, resuming this historic rivalry only makes college football better. Hopefully, a new generation of Aggie and Longhorns fans can experience the joys of watching the Lone Star Showdown live on for years to come.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=5]