"Voice of the Aggies" Andrew Monaco 'surprised' with Calzada's decision

Key notes from Andrew Monaco Interview

• Surprised. I am a big fan of Zach Calzada and what he did here. No matter what happens, you can never question his toughness. You're always one play away from playing. It was a competition in the Fall. It went to Haynes King, but in the second series vs. Colorado, Calzada was in. He developed and delivered. There are few quarterbacks in the portal that can say they took down the No. 1 team in the country. He will be an attractive player in the portal, and he has to do what's best for him. It has been a memorable season for him, and as Jimbo Fisher says, he put it on film.
   
• This is a little different from bowl preparation in the past when it was a continuation from the previous season. It used to be the exclamation point on that season. Fisher is always big about a team only lasting one season. This bowl is different because of the adjustments, but what doesn't change is that it's 'next man up.' That has been the mantra all year long for this Aggie football team.
   
• If you have a bad recruiting class, in the past, that would limit you for years. That changes now with the transfer portal. You can fill those gaps. You still have to recruit, but does it put more pressure on coaches to win? You can't miss in recruiting or in the transfer portal. A lot has changed in college football, and the coaches and staffs that don't adapt will be left behind.
   
• It may not be the quarterback you're thinking that comes in as a transfer. We know Bo Nix or Max Johnson is there, but it may not be that person. The thing that I go back to is when Haynes King won the job. He knew he won it for Week One. Will Conner Weigman‍ be that way? Probably. If someone wants to walk in and be named the starter without a competition, this probably isn't the place. There will be competition.
   
• The decision-making and the athleticism of the escapability of Haynes King will come into play. Will he get more comfortable in the pocket as the season goes on? Calzada started to get more comfortable. Even though Zach wasn't the scrambler or runner that Haynes is, he could get himself a couple of steps. He was more athletic than you thought, and Haynes has a better arm than you think. These guys are not one or two-dimensional. I'm looking forward to that same type of growth.
   
• Will Conner Weigman be the type of player that Haynes King was when he was backing up Kellen Mond? You're bringing in a student-athlete that can understand that playbook. Eli Stowers was devouring that playbook before he moved to tight end. You hope Weigman can do the same.
   
• You hate losing a Mike Elko. The players believed in Elko. He wanted to be a head coach. Here is the opportunity back in the ACC where he was before. When a school says they want you, it's a good feeling and a chance for him to take the next step. It's a loss, but if you look at Jimbo Fisher's track record, he has always made the right move. You have to trust that he will do that again. On the outside, I think it's a very attractive job for other defensive coordinators. You have to think Fisher is ready to make that hire, and that's why coaches are elite. You don't want to lose a Mike Elko, but you're prepared for that. Jimbo Fisher has had home run hires in the past.
   
• This Gator Bowl means something for Wake Forest. They have an opportunity for a special season, and now they're looking for a chance to put an exclamation point on it. We heard the same thing about the NC State in the previous Gator Bowl, and the Aggies took over in that game. I'm not sure Wake can stop the run. Jimbo Fisher knows how to coach against ACC schools, but do they know how to coach against Jimbo Fisher now that he's in the SEC?
   
• Grittiness is there with this basketball team, but they have to do it for 40 minutes. I've seen great 20 minute stretches, but can they do it more consistently? More of these players are accepting and thriving in their roles. Never doubt the chemistry or the heart of this team. They found a way and gave themselves a shot against TCU and Wisconsin. Saturday felt like that Notre Dame game. Instead of saying it wasn't their night, they got themselves back into that game. Missed free throws came back to haunt them. Are these issues fixable? You better believe it.
   
• A&M took a late lead in that second half, but TCU regained the lead. The Aggies never got it back. There was never a dagger or kill shot. You were forced to play the fouling game. Notre Dame played its game in the entire first half. A&M didn't play well and was only down 10. Those leads aren’t insurmountable with this defense.
   
• This staff has done a good job of bringing players in from all over the country and making sure they mesh. They have adapted to their roles. I'm pleased with where they are at 7-2 and wish they were playing today, but the attention turns to Oregon State on Saturday.