COLLEGE STATION - Mike Elko regrets his comments from Saturday about the fan site TexAgs.com and Texas A&M fans.
"I regret the way it was taken," Elko said Monday during his weekly presser. "I regret the way it came out. I regret the way it ran. … Certainly throughout the course of that interview, at no point ever did I lend any blame to anything other than myself. I am the reason why this team is struggling."
Elko had called out members of the fan base on the website Saturday in his post-game press conference following his team's 27-6 loss to Missouri.
"There's a difference to me between the fan base and social media," Elko said after the game. "There's one group that I really don't care much about. Billy's cesspool can go be Billy's cesspool."
TexAgs co-owner Billy Liucci - the Billy referenced in "Billy's cesspool" - attended Monday's press conference, which is not a normal occurrence.
"I think everybody knows I have a tremendous relationship with Billy," Elko said. "I appreciate Billy. I appreciate him being here today."
TexAgs is among the top college sports fan sites in the country.
The Aggies enter the halfway point of the year with three conference losses and a remaining schedule featuring three teams ranked in the top 15 of the Associated Press poll: Alabama, Tennessee and Texas. The Aggies play a non-conference game this week against The Citadel at Kyle Field.
The defense has largely lived up to the billing this year, while special teams has played quite well. Marcel Reed and the offense, however, have been very disappointing.
The Aggies have failed to score touchdowns in its two road games this season, while Reed has an equal number of passing touchdowns and interceptions (6).
Elko is in his third season leading the Texas A&M program. He is 22-10 through two-and-a-half seasons with a 13-7 conference record and one College Football Playoff appearance.
"I think everybody knows I appreciate our fan base and everything that they're about," Elko said.
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There’s more to Houston with the Chronicle. Subscribe today for just 25¢.This article originally published at Texas A&M's Mike Elko says he regrets how his ‘cesspool' comment about website came across to fans.