AggieYell Mailbag
Here’s the latest edition of the AggieYell Mailbag, sponsored by Tipton Auto Group:
Q: Does A&M have any history of extending coaches mid-season like I’m hoping we do with Elko? Or is it usually something that we do either pre or post season? If I remember correctly Jimbo’s infamous extension was before any games were played that season. In less words – should we be concerned in any way that no extension has been reached yet, or is this just par for the course for our program and the raise will come at the end of the season? Thanks Mark. (Shanehammett12)
A: They do have a history of extending coaches during the season. Kevin Sumlin was extended late in the 2013 season before everything went to hell. Jimbo’s was signed just days before the 2021 season began.
As for being concerned, I wouldn’t be at this point. Mike Elko has given no indication he wants to leave or he’s dissatisfied with anything, his family wants to be here and I don’t think he wants to deal with another rebuild AND leave a team that is contending for an SEC and national title. He would probably view negotiations on a new contract as a distraction, and he is dead set against distractions.
Q: Curious on the LB rotation. You have noted that freshman Mikhail has played a lot. When we have 3 LBs in, why not York, Williams and Sanford?
For one thing, Scooby’s not playing this week. But more to your point, Mikhail comes in in projected run situations. He’s big, he’s physical and he tackles well. He may not be developed to the point where he’s an every down linebacker, but he can do this singular job well. And he has.
Also, has Jernigan just gotten passed? (Tsmith3001)
Not “just”. He hasn’t played this season and looks like he’ll redshirt.
Q: If soccer is not one of the revenue sharing sports, how do we rebuild a strong program? I’m guessing they were already on full scholarships. (QuickDrawMcGraw77)
A: there will be NIL money allotted to non-revenue sports, including soccer. But if you want to compete, do what Jamie Morrison did with the volleyball program: scout extensively, recruit effectively and use the transfer portal well.
Q: I had touched on this in another thread this past week. SEC schools seems to feel they need a coach with SEC experience. Someone that understands the SEC. Over the past 12-13 years since we have been in the conference there have been coaches that had previously been at one SEC school end up coaching at another school in conference.
Now with multiple SEC schools with coaching vacancies, what are the chances we see musical chairs and see coaches that were fired from one SEC school this year end up coaching at another SEC school next year, either as a head coach or coordinator? (Reckless75)
A: Not real high, honestly. Sam Pittman may get a job as an offensive line coach, but Hugh Freeze is radioactive and I don’t see a big rush to get Billy Napier. If Bobby Petrino doesn’t get the Arkansas job, I can’t see anyone in the SEC taking him on as a coordinator. Brian Kelly has an extensive track record to defend, with more issues off the field than on it. The man is corrosive.
Q: I can probably get this answer by looking up past mailbags but…which of our current tight ends are eligible to return next year? (H273)
A: Theo Ohrstrom, Micah Riley and Kiotti Armstrong.
Q: Every game from this point on is going to be the most important game for Aggies as far as I can remember. Each one brings it’s unique importance. I have a poor memory. Can you remember and remind me of a more important game than the ones we will be playing? I really don’t remember any since being in the SEC. Exciting times. (Spar2cus)
A: Maybe the final games of 2020, when A&M still had a shot at the CFP then. Then the Orange Bowl. But I tend to agree with your way of thinking — these are huge.
Q: Are we really good or is everyone else just bad (Richard23)
A: Yes.
Q: Prediction that the first offensive play the Aggies run is a fly (Go) route to test that number 7 ranking Missouri has in pass defense? (Maroon Mudbug)
A: It’s definitely possible, but I still lean towards a running play.
Q: It seems to me that we have become more creative in our run game after Moss went out.
Jet sweeps. Screens. QB runs.
Is that correct? (Richard23)
A: Absolutely. I’m not sure how much of that is an adjustment to Moss being out or just gradual addition of new wrinkles, but there’s definitely a lot more eye candy now.
Q: 1. Where is Ms. Terry looking for homes?
A: Anywhere she wants, but I don’t think they’re leaving Tuscaloosa.
2. How do Lyle Hemphill and Jay Bateman split duties on defense? Lyle is Assistant HC/Defense and Jay is Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers.
Bateman calls the plays and coaches the linebackers. Hemphill is in the box, providing information. He also helps scheme the defense. He coaches the safeties.
3. Will Bateman/Elko/Hemphill do anything different with the LB’s this week to try and control Ahmad Hardy and the run game?
Oh, I think you’ll see more run blitzes than usual. You stop Hardy and they’re in trouble.
4. Do you foresee more man or zone coverage in the backend? (Tsip despiser)
I think they’ll mix it up, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a good bit of press man early due to their tendency to throw short.
Q: Wherever happened with the drama from Texas and their OL Coach. Did they replace him? (LTGrenader)
A: No, he’s still there.
Q: What going on with Scooby? (Quickdrawmcgraw77)
A: Same thing as before. Must have aggravated it.
Q: Any thoughts on our punt protection and if we are changing anything schematically or personnel wise to correct the issues? (Goose93)
A: I think schematically, they’re definitely going to change some things.
Q: If you were in charge of Elko’s new contract how would you structure it? Considering lessons learned from the past…but you have other schools and agents who are still making a mess of it. (Aggiefox27)
A: I would increase his base pay, increase the money he can get in incentives and keep the buyout percentage where it is.
Q: I believe college football teams can now go up to 105 scholarship players. And A&M is giving a scholarship to every player. But in the era of NIL and for other reasons, it is not possible to keep 85 players happy and I would think even more difficult with 105 players. So why would a team want to go to 105 scholarship players, when it seems like no more than about 60 players usually play in games throughout a season (outside of mop up roles)? (Davdi)
A: In a word, attrition. It wasn’t that long ago that A&M played in a game with 21 players out — essentially a quarter of the team. You still need guys to man the scout team and play special teams, so that’s why they need 105 (at least).
Q: I had a female student to go to A&M on a basketball scholarship. She majored in Applied Math, and due to how hard the major and the hours she had to put in toward basketball, she gave up her scholarship to concentrate on studies. My granddaughter is already getting letters from D1 schools to play volleyball. She wants to major in Biomedical Science which I am sure will require a lot of studying. If she was your daughter, would you advice her to just enjoy high school and traveling volleyball, concentrate on making the top 10%, and go to A&M as a regular student. (FbFan222)
A: I would ask her what her true passion is. If it’s playing college volleyball, then she should pursue that route. If she wavers on it or says biomedical science, then she should go to A&M. That would be my advice, at least.
Q: A lot of people made fun of us when we paid Jimbo $76 million. I know we are winning and in a better place two years later on the entertain and enjoyment side of things. Has anyone calculated whether our current success is on a pace to cover that loss in financial terms? How much could continued winning make the $76 million look like a good financial decision or is that even possible? I know making the playoffs would make us feel good but how much would that help us overcome the payment. I’m assuming money would have dried up under Jimbo but is flourishing under Elko. Will anyone analyze the net benefit to Texas A&M for firing Jimbo? (Bbatt)
A: I think programs already have and have determined that there is a net benefit to doing it. That’s why James Franklin and Brian Kelly are unemployed.
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