Under Interim Coach Elijah Robinson, Texas A&M Aggies Look To End Season On Winning Streak
COLLEGE STATION -- Why Elijah Robinson?
When Texas A&M athletic director Ross Bjork informed Jimbo Fisher early Sunday morning alongside interim president Mark Welsh that he'd no longer serve as head coach, the next move was to find an acting replacment. Bjork, currently in his fifth season with the program, knew the move had to be swift, as preparation for Senior Day was on the horizon.
The Aggies (6-4, 4-3 SEC) needed someone to rally the players to still fight for a nine-win season, even with change coming at the top. While watching him at practice interact with the team on the practice field this week in preparation for Saturday's matchup against Mississippi State, Bjork found his answer.
"[A scout] was fixated on the defensive line group. There's a lot of talent there, but he was fixated on how they were being coached," Bjork said early Sunday evening during his 25-minute presser at Kyle Field. "To me, Elijah is all about the players."
Robinson, who was hired by Fisher from Baylor back in 2018, will serve as the interim coach through the final two games and A&M's bowl game next month. The Aggies will close out their regular season at home against Abilene Christian before traveling to Baton Rouge to take on LSU.
Texas A&M quarterback Max Johnson (14) is yelled to by Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher during a football game between Tennessee and Texas A&M at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn.
Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
And yes, Robinson, 38, will be considered for the permanent job depending on the results of the final three games, per Bjork. Of course, A&M will begin its search for its 30th coach, one that's hopefully attached to the program well into the future of the new Southeastern Conference.
"We need to find somebody who can build this sustainable tenure. We have to," said Bjork. "Can we find the next R.C. Slocum who can be here a long time, build it, win those championships. Consistency of leadership and continuity; it's so important."
Bjork said during the near half-hour meeting that conversations of a change of leadersip with Welsh and A&M chancellor John Sharp began last week. It was considered necessary as A&M athletics had been "stuck in neutral," and the program was not reaching its full potential.
Fisher, who was closing in on his sixth season with the program, was hired by former athletic director Scott Woodward in December 2017 to bring championships to the program. After winning a national championship at Florida State, A&M expected similar results, offering him a 10-year, $75 million contract to take over for Kevin Sumlin.
The Aggies never reached a conference championship under Fisher's watch, who finished his time in College Station with a 45-25 record. They finished second in the SEC West once, culminating in a 9-1 season with a top-five finish in the Coaches Poll and an Orange Bowl victory over North Carolina in 2020.
Following A&M's 51-10 victory over Mississippi State Saturday night, Bjork scheduled a meeting with Fisher around 9 a.m. By 11 a.m., Bjork gathered the team, who had already heard the news through social media, to inform them that Fisher would no longer serve as their head coach.
"I respect coach Fisher," said Bjork. "He's a good man. I respect his family and all that he's accomplished in college football."
Bjork told the team that it was his job to make the decisions that were in the university's best interest and to put the program in the best position to succeed. That included with leadership at the helm, and Robinson fit the criteria for what was needed for the remainder of the season.
"It was really cool to see the reaction of the players when coach [Robinson] spoke to them," said Bjork. "They came up to him and they really responded in a positive manner. He did a great job of showing leadership and making sure that everyone was going to be on the same page."
Robinson, who previously coached under Matt Rhule at Baylor, was one of the key factors in helping transform A&M's defense into one of the country's finest, both as an assistant and recruiter. In 2020, under then-defensive coordinator Mike Elko, the Aggies finished ninth nationally in total defense, giving up just 317.3 yards per game.
Robinson, a native of Camden, New Jersey, was promoted to co-defensive coordinator in place of Tyler Santucci, who was hired by Elko at Duke for the same position. Alongside D.J. Durkin, A&M's defense has been potent, ranking No. 12 nationally in total defense (290.9 yards allowed per game), No. 1 in sacks (39), and No. 1 in tackles for loss (88).
As a recruiter, Robinson was influential in helping the Aggies land the No. 1 class for the 2022 cycle. Robinson was the primary recruiter for four of the eight five-star prospects: Walter Nolen, Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy, LT Overton and Anthony Lucas.
"I expect [the players] to really rally around coach Robinson and finish this season strong," said Bjork. "Ultimately, we are really here to serve them, and that is the beginning and the end of how we provide leadership."
Bjork mentioned that the experience of both Durkin and offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino would allow Robinson to focus on the players first for the final two games. Both coordinators will remain on staff for the remainder of the regular season.
As for Robinson, he begins his chapter by helping A&M finish the season on a potential winning streak. It starts now while leading up to A&M's final home game at 11 a.m. against the Wildcats.
Said Bjork: "I've already seen a lot of positivity around [Robinson's] leadership."
