After a tough Week 1 loss to Notre Dame, Texas A&M has bounced back, securing seven consecutive wins under first-year head coach Mike Elko. A victory over LSU in Week 9 cemented the Aggies’ dominance in the SEC, prompting an emotional Elko to express his pride in the team.

Elko passionately declared that Texas A&M is a “real program,” appearing to take a jab at the broader college football scene. He criticized other programs for being run by “politicians” before directing his message at recruits.

“This is a real program,” Elko stated, according to team reporter Brent Zwerneman. “It’s not fake. It’s not a politician running this program, talking fast and BSing everyone. This is a real program, and to all the recruits out there, this is a real place.”

While his comments had an edge and served as a recruiting appeal, many speculated on who Elko was targeting. Some thought it was a dig at his predecessor, Jimbo Fisher, while others suggested he was criticizing rival SEC schools like LSU.

Elko also seemed to address issues with the NIL system, reinforcing his stance on having a genuine program.

“When I first got here, the narrative was all about NIL, mercenaries, and selfishness,” Elko continued. “But look where we are now. That’s a testament to the character of the players in that locker room.”