Mike Elko Says ‘Billy’s Cesspool Can Go Be Billy’s Cesspool’ as Texas A&M’s Playoff Chances Sink to 0.6%

Texas A&M coach Mike Elko drew a line between the Aggies’ fan base and social media after a 27-6 loss at No. 14 Missouri on Saturday, then gave one online group a name.

The loss dropped Texas A&M to 3-3 overall and 1-3 in the SEC, its third defeat in four games.

Mike Elko Separates Texas A&M Fans From TexAgs Message Board

Asked what he would say to Texas A&M fans who are losing faith in the team, Elko started with a distinction. “There’s a difference to me between the fan base and social media. So there’s one group that I really don’t care much about.”

The next sentence pointed at TexAgs, an independent site and message board that covers the Aggies. Billy Liucci is its co-owner and executive editor. “Billy’s cesspool,” Elko said, “can go be Billy’s cesspool.”

To the fan base, he made a promise. “Our fan base, stay with us, be behind us. We’re going to build something that we told you we were going to build.”

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Five days earlier, at his Monday news conference, Elko said his program tries to isolate itself from outside opinions, and he called social media a big part of the mental side of the game.

David Ubben, a national college football writer, wrote that “TexAgs has to open up a side message board called ‘Billy’s Cesspool’ now.”

Elko arrived from Duke in November 2023, after Texas A&M’s pursuit of Kentucky coach Mark Stoops was called off.

One fan tied that search to Saturday’s remark. “‘Billy’s cesspool got up in arms over Stoops’… that’s why you’re here Elko.”

Accounts differ on how much fans had to do with that decision. Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde reported in November 2023, citing sources, that regents or big-dollar boosters told then-athletic director Ross Bjork they would not support hiring Stoops. Yahoo Sports’ Dan Wolken wrote in October 2025 that fan backlash grew significant enough for the board of regents to veto the decision.

Texas A&M Faces Scrutiny Over Missouri Loss and Reed at QB

Stewart Mandel, editor-in-chief of college football coverage for The Athletic, wrote that Elko should not alienate the most influential figure in the A&M fan base, then turned to the results. “How are things this ugly this quickly a year after winning 11 games?”

Texas A&M won 11 straight games and reached the College Football Playoff last season. Elko had gone 8-0 in October as Texas A&M’s coach before Saturday, and the loss also snapped a three-game winning streak against Missouri.

Jamal Roberts ran 34 times for 222 yards and two touchdowns as Missouri piled up 252 rushing yards, while Texas A&M managed 216 total yards and 29 rushing yards on 23 carries.

One fan wrote that Elko doesn’t have to answer to the message board, then asked what comes next. “It’s obvious the season is over. Where do we make the changes and how does he address the hard topics?”

Asked after the game why he hasn’t turned to backup quarterback Brady Hart, Elko said making that change does not feel right at the moment and that he will do whatever he believes is right for the team. Marcel Reed, the senior starter, went 19-of-39 for 187 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions, and he finished with minus-18 rushing yards on seven carries.

By Pro Football Network’s QB Impact metric, Reed’s season grade of 73.2 ranks tied for 94th of 165 graded and qualified FBS quarterbacks.

Looking Ahead to The Citadel and Alabama

Texas A&M returns to Kyle Field for its Oct. 17 Week 7 game against The Citadel, with kickoff at noon CT, before a trip to Alabama on Oct. 24.

PREDICT THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF:PFN’s CFB Playoff Predictor

PFN’s College Football Playoff Meter gives Texas A&M a 0.6% chance to make the playoff, a 98% chance to beat The Citadel and a 24.8% chance to win at Alabama.

Elko closed his answer about the fans by acknowledging where the team stands. “So we’re in a really bad spot right now, but we’ll work our way out of it.”

This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.