NoahAg said:

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seebond said:

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Klein - Needs time, He's young and will figure it out. I like that he has a style and identity, but I do worry that we can be too one dimensional.

Bateman - He's the worry in my opinion. That said, I think Elko is the guy and will have his hands on everything this season. It's like the new hire that came in and needs that extra oversight from the boss. It is now or never for him and Elko will not let the defense look like it did at the end of last year - I can guarantee that.

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I disagree. A&M shouldn't have to hire unproven, unripe coordinators who are still trying to "figure it out."
If he can't show improvement this season he needs to go. Otherwise, Elko will eventually take the fall.

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You're right, A&M should only be hiring proven coaches. Like:
* Jimbo Fisher
* John Chavis
* DJ Durkin
* Bobby Petrino

IMHO they on some level were about the best we could get given the circumstances. With a solid to excellent year, if Elko felt the need, upgrades would be readily available.

NoahAg said:

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seebond said:

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Klein - Needs time, He's young and will figure it out. I like that he has a style and identity, but I do worry that we can be too one dimensional.

Bateman - He's the worry in my opinion. That said, I think Elko is the guy and will have his hands on everything this season. It's like the new hire that came in and needs that extra oversight from the boss. It is now or never for him and Elko will not let the defense look like it did at the end of last year - I can guarantee that.

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I disagree. A&M shouldn't have to hire unproven, unripe coordinators who are still trying to "figure it out."
If he can't show improvement this season he needs to go. Otherwise, Elko will eventually take the fall.

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I mean we kind of tried a proven title winner and that didn't work out so great either so…

I think he is a good hire and needs some time but either way he's not going anywhere for a few years so it's a choice to be hopeful or a complainer.

Agree. So when you squeeze a citrus and like juice comes out, do you call it an orange?

I hope most of you BAS complainers don't get to enjoy the mountain peak because the climb was hard.
I know we will get drunk in the sweet taste of victory someday - and I would hope that for you, it doesn't taste as sweet because of all you incessant whining along the way.

What year did you graduate?

SteveA said:

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What year did you graduate?

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2012.
Been an Aggie all my life. 4th generation to attend. Cheers

Edit: I lived the Fran years as a teen, which may have been the worst given my friend group of Tech-tards and sips. But it was in the crucible of these debates and being the lone aggie that my eternal optimism was born.
We can win, just haven't yet. Got to put all the pieces together.

seebond said:

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NyAggie said:

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Elko could go 8-4 every year a d that would be significantly better than what would have happened had we hired stoops,

That said, I believe in Elko too, however he'll need to start showing it in more than just recruiting, and I believe he will.

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This is what I am saying.
And the BAS on here is just insane. We did as well as anyone would have expected us to in Year 1. My thinking is that we can build on that.. And I'm hopeful that Coach Elko can coach and develop guys instead of watching them plateau like Sumlin and Jimbo and the likes on many and all coaches have done.

Yes, we ended last season in terrible fashion. I do not think that dampens my attitude towards this year at all. Matter of fact, I think it pissed Elko off - He has too much pride in his defensive mind to let that happen again.

I also think in 5 years or so we lose Klein as a HC - I think he's got that kind of potential. It was a coup for us to take him away from KState and honestly, I am excited to see what he can learn and create. I'd rather have a guy learning and growing and developing as a coach with something to prove than the old fat cats that we've had where the game has passed them by... Mazzone, Jimbo..

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Agreed

Guy12 said:

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NoahAg said:

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seebond said:

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Klein - Needs time, He's young and will figure it out. I like that he has a style and identity, but I do worry that we can be too one dimensional.

Bateman - He's the worry in my opinion. That said, I think Elko is the guy and will have his hands on everything this season. It's like the new hire that came in and needs that extra oversight from the boss. It is now or never for him and Elko will not let the defense look like it did at the end of last year - I can guarantee that.

---

I disagree. A&M shouldn't have to hire unproven, unripe coordinators who are still trying to "figure it out."
If he can't show improvement this season he needs to go. Otherwise, Elko will eventually take the fall.

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You're right, A&M should only be hiring proven coaches. Like:
* Jimbo Fisher
* John Chavis
* DJ Durkin
* Bobby Petrino

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I guess the trick is, how do we hire proven coaches, but also keep them from turning into ******s once they get here? There seems to be an epidemic of that.

seebond said:

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I am super confident that Elko is the guy. The recruiting momentum is just proof of what he is building.

I also just was thinking today that we so nearly avoided disaster.
Our Athletic Department was so close to hiring Mark Stoops - a modern-day Fran hire.
Elko was the obvious choice from the jump and we all saw that.

Given that we as the fanbase intervened to stop what this athletic dept always does makes me feel like this regime may finally do something we haven't seen before - sustained success at the highest level.
It was us that turned this thing around.

My optimism with the program under Elko has never been higher - and maybe that is due to what state it could've been in.

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Ha! The "fanbase" had nothing to do with not hiring Stoops. Y'all just keep thinking that our opinions as the fanbase means anything to the powers that be.

We were an 11th hour phone call away from having a "Sumlin after dark" situation Part Deux

After swinging for the fences and failing with the hiring of (and overpaying and then extending) a "name with skins on the wall", I think some folks might have received a little ego check. And that is a good thing!

I love the Elko hire and I think he will keep this program on an upward trajectory. Will he put together a team to make a run in the playoff during his tenure? Only time will tell.

Sadly, Elko has 80+ years of program history to overcome as well as the minefield he had to negotiate last year. Let's hope he is the one to do it!

Cheo said:

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I feel like Elko is a common sense guy. Many times under Jimbo Sleazy Fisher, I felt like he was entirely in another universe, counting his millions.

Elko understands the urgency and the moment I feel. However it all remains to be seen on the field. Results.

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I am not sure he felt a sense of urgency losing 4 of his final 5 games last season.

TexasAggie_97 said:

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Cheo said:

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I feel like Elko is a common sense guy. Many times under Jimbo Sleazy Fisher, I felt like he was entirely in another universe, counting his millions.

Elko understands the urgency and the moment I feel. However it all remains to be seen on the field. Results.

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I am not sure he felt a sense of urgency losing 4 of his final 5 games last season.

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Oh no…that was just a rope a dope like Ali used against Foreman in the Rumble in the Jungle in 1974!!!

Mike has our SWC rivals where he wants them!!!

seebond said:

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I hope most of you BAS complainers don't get to enjoy the mountain peak because the climb was hard.

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What climb?

We've been marching in circles around the base of the mountain for 86 years.

Maybe if we have the band blow their trumpets every 7 years, we'll just bring the whole thing down...

Cheo said:

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I feel like Elko is a common sense guy. Many times under Jimbo Sleazy Fisher, I felt like he was entirely in another universe, counting his millions.

Elko understands the urgency and the moment I feel.

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You realize Elko is making 7 MILLION dollars per year, right?

He could get fired right now and never have to work again.

Agree with you wrt Klein. I hope he proves us right not for the sake of being right but for the sake of better Aggie football results. I don't expect a sexy offense but I do expect a grinder offense that is highly frustrating for opposing defenses .

halfastros81 said:

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Agree with you wrt Klein. I hope he proves us right not for the sake of being right but for the sake of better Aggie football results. I don't expect a sexy offense but I do expect a grinder offense that is highly frustrating for opposing defenses .

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Yes and Yes.
Being right is just a plus, but For Aggie Football's sake - I absolutely have total faith that Elko is going to get the defense in the right place.
The offense is the big ?

4 said:

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seebond said:

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I hope most of you BAS complainers don't get to enjoy the mountain peak because the climb was hard.

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What climb?

We've been marching in circles around the base of the mountain for 86 years.

Maybe if we have the band blow their trumpets every 7 years, we'll just bring the whole thing down...

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Well played on the reference!
I am just a firm believer that we have everything in place - the results just haven't produced for a variety of reasons - mostly self-inflicted. for sure.

But we have the finances, facilities, recruiting base, fan support that all these big players have. We lack nothing other than we haven't done it yet. It will come.

I'm more concerned about the defense than the offense. Secondary was one step above awful at season's end last year .

Having said that it's a complementary game and better offense makes for better defense and vice versa. Need improvements in both and need to not be blaming lack of quality depth for late season drop offs. That last part is a repeating theme that happens yr after yr and Elko needs to end it. Everyone knows you need quality depth to make it thru a season . It's not an acceptable excuse.

halfastros81 said:

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I'm more concerned about the defense than the offense. Secondary was one step above awful at season's end last year .

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It was bad. But I think it was eye-opening to see Elko's comments. He will make sure that gets fixed.
I am certain of that.

4 said:

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Cheo said:

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I feel like Elko is a common sense guy. Many times under Jimbo Sleazy Fisher, I felt like he was entirely in another universe, counting his millions.

Elko understands the urgency and the moment I feel.

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You realize Elko is making 7 MILLION dollars per year, right?

He could get fired right now and never have to work again.

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Look 4 ...
No one here needs you pissn all over our unfounded ranting comparisons with FACTS and LOGIC. Completely uncalled for.
Take your crap to Premium..

People seem to keep forgetting that Klein's O led the SEC in scoring in SEC gameslast year.
With Moss at the end it would have been even better.

It is the D that I am worried about. On O, to me, the only question is TE play and production.
I think all other positions will be productive.

I, too, believe in Elko

Wake me up when we go 10-2/11-1.

8-4/7-5 likely.

Dang, goes to show how little mental capacity I invest in this right now. Completely forgot about Bateman and Klein being the coordinators til I got a refresher on this thread.

cs69ag said:

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People seem to keep forgetting that Klein's O led the SEC in scoring in SEC gameslast year.
With Moss at the end it would have been even better.

It is the D that I am worried about. On O, to me, the only question is TE play and production.
I think all other positions will be productive.

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This. Klein was dealt the hand of having to prepare Weigman when he knew he wasn't right (mentally, physically or both) and the team was rallying behind Marcel during camp. Once Reed got going the offense showed it's capability and then Moss went down which was a massive blow, not to mention the OL injuries.

Yet they still produced until the injuries became too much against the defenses we went up against late in the year.

Defense was abysmal. Bateman is a coordinator in name only. Elko has already said he's controlling it.

I'm more concerned about Elko having to step in 1 year after we heard everything we did about true ceo, overall program management blah blah that he already has to now coach the defense.

That said, if the offense struggles Klein is gone, but if the defense struggles nobody should even worry about Bateman because it'll be an indictment on the HC.

I'm looking forward to the season though. Should be fun. Ags have talent and if Elko and the staff develop and prepare them well then look out.

Year 2 will tell a lot

Year 3 more

Year 4 to discuss if we fire him or we worship him

No Aggie coach has done a thing since 1939 so we will see

seebond said:

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I am super confident that Elko is the guy. The recruiting momentum is just proof of what he is building.

I also just was thinking today that we so nearly avoided disaster.
Our Athletic Department was so close to hiring Mark Stoops - a modern-day Fran hire.
Elko was the obvious choice from the jump and we all saw that.

Given that we as the fanbase intervened to stop what this athletic dept always does makes me feel like this regime may finally do something we haven't seen before - sustained success at the highest level.
It was us that turned this thing around.

My optimism with the program under Elko has never been higher - and maybe that is due to what state it could've been in.

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Thank you, seebond. We will work tirelessly to make you proud this season.

10-2 Nice.
9-3 Good enough ... for now.
8-4 Same ol same ol.
7-5 Is Stoops still available?

Mike Elkos Burner said:

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seebond said:

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I am super confident that Elko is the guy. The recruiting momentum is just proof of what he is building.

I also just was thinking today that we so nearly avoided disaster.
Our Athletic Department was so close to hiring Mark Stoops - a modern-day Fran hire.
Elko was the obvious choice from the jump and we all saw that.

Given that we as the fanbase intervened to stop what this athletic dept always does makes me feel like this regime may finally do something we haven't seen before - sustained success at the highest level.
It was us that turned this thing around.

My optimism with the program under Elko has never been higher - and maybe that is due to what state it could've been in.

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Thank you, seebond. We will work tirelessly to make you proud this season.

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I try keeping an upbeat positive attitude around here. Which I know is rare.

gA_CMAB_FA said:

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10-2 Nice.
9-3 Good enough ... for now.
8-4 Same ol same ol.
7-5 Is Stoops still available?

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Agreed. But Stoops should never be an option.
I really think we can build something here.

It may not always be linear, but I'm confident it'll happen.

seebond said:

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gA_CMAB_FA said:

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10-2 Nice.
9-3 Good enough ... for now.
8-4 Same ol same ol.
7-5 Is Stoops still available?

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Agreed. But Stoops should never be an option.
I really think we can build something here.

It may not always be linear, but I'm confident it'll happen.

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Problem is - we've been waiting for it to happen for 85 years…..

Aggie Dad 26 said:

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The 2024 Auburn football team lost to California, Vandy, miss St, Arkansas, Oklahoma, LSU, and mizzou. There are more but those are the talking points.

This is why I dont believe in Elko. He had 1st place, he had control of the teams destiny and choked it away

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Apperently our "destiny" was 8-5 which is fitting and humorous

Elko is 8-5 as a head coach. You can believe in him but we are a long ways away from him even being considered above average. He needs to stack recruiting classes together and find an elite qb. QB recruiting and development will determine Elko's fate just like it did with Fisher.

Elko started 7-1 (5-0 SEC) before losing 4 of his last 5 games, including 3 consecutive losses to end the season. Our only win in that span was over New Mexico State, and we have lost 4 consecutive games to Power 4 opponents since a 38-23 win over LSU on 10/26. Dating back to a 42-30 road loss at LSU on 11/25/2023, we have lost 4 consecutive November SEC games and 2 bowl games for 6 consecutive losses to Power 4 opponents in November or later. We have not won a Power 4 game in November or later since a 51-10 home win over Mississippi State on 11/11/2023 and a bowl game since a 41-27 win over North Carolina in the 2021 Orange Bowl on 1/2/2021.

Losses to 9-4 (5-3 SEC) South Carolina and 13-2 (7-1 SEC) CFP semifinalist Texas were understandable, but a loss at 5-7 (2-6 SEC) Auburn was inexcusable. If we had beaten Auburn, we would have finished 9-3 (6-2 SEC) regular season record and reached the SEC Championship Game for the first time. Yes, Texas would have probably beaten us again, but we might have even won it to finish 10-4 (6-2 SEC).

An 8-4 regular season finish with at least one November SEC win and a subsequent bowl win for a 9-4 finish will be a much better finish than ending last season with 4 consecutive losses to Power 4 opponents. This is my minimum expectation for Elko's 2nd year.

Klein doesn't have it. Watching those god-awful calls against tu were atrocious! His offensive play calling beats average teams. He will be the first coordinator gone…..hopefully soon!