Elijah Robinson Confident Leading Texas A&M Aggies Down Final Stretch Of Regular Season
COLLEGE STATION -- Before he ever thought of becoming a head coach, Elijah Robinson thought of marketing. Strike that; he thought of making it to the NFL like nearly every adolescent football player.
Recruited by longtime Penn State coach Joe Paterno, the Camden, New Jersey, native committed to the Nittany Lions. He was on his way to becoming a standout in State College, but a neck injury suffered in practice in 2007 ended his career.
Paterno, who spent over five decades at Beaver Stadium, saw more than a player in Robinson and knew football wasn't done with him yet. He offered Robinson a position on his staff as a graduate assistant in 2008.
Since then, Robinson has climbed up the ranks at various stops around the country, leading him to this moment. His moment as the interim coach for Texas A&M to close out the 2023 season on a potential four-game winning streak.
“Fighting for the inches … that’s real,” Robinson said Monday, donning a Maroon and White blazer with TP lapel pins in honor of the late Terry Price. “We have a group of guys that will do everything possible to gain that inch.
“We’re going to do everything possible to make sure our guys can do what’s necessary to get that inch.”
Robinson, 38, said all the right things during his first press conference as the immediate replacement for Jimbo Fisher. He'll remain the acting coach through A&M's final two regular season games and the bowl game later next month.
The Aggies (6-4, 4-3 SEC) return to Kyle Field one final time to take on FCS Abilene Christian before traveling to Baton Rouge to face No. 19 LSU on Nov. 25. During that time, athletic director Ross Bjork will hope to put the finishing touches on finding a new coach for next season.
Robinson will be considered a candidate, but even if not selected for the position, he intends to stick around the program so long as the next coach will have him.
“This has been the place I’ve been the longest outside of my alma mater,” Robinson said, who was hired by Fisher in 2018. “When me and my family moved here we fell in love with being here. My wife loves it here. My kids love being here. So do I.
“So I am not looking to leave Texas A&M. And I would love to be here."
Keeping Robinson on staff could considered a "dealbreaker" for coaching candidates if Bjork looks to retain multiple players from leaving the program through the portal. Part of the timing of Fisher's firing following a 51-10 win over Mississippi State corralates future dates next month.
The early transfer portal window opens on Dec. 4, and multiple top-ranked players are expected to consider leaving A&M. Robinson, who's served one of A&M's top recruiters, is now repeating a similar pitch to players who are thinking of coming to Aggieland to those considering leaving.
"When these guys decided to come to school here, it was not just about football,” Robinson said. “They understand what this place can do for them for the rest of their life. And the one thing we always preached was, it is not a four-year decision, but a 40-year decision.
"One thing they say is Aggies take care of Aggies. I would not be looking to run out of this place understanding that for the rest of my life I’ll be taken care of.”
Replacing a defensive line coach might seem easy for Bjork and whoever replaces Fisher. Replacing a personality who's that close to players presents a challenge. When Robinson was introduced as the interim coach, players reportedly celebrated enthusiastically of his status.
Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Jaylen Henderson (16) hands off the ball to running back Amari Daniels (4) during the first quarter at Kyle Field.
Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
“It was really cool to see the reaction of the players when coach (Robinson) spoke to them,” Bjork said in his press conference Sunday. “They came up to him and really, really responded in a positive manner. And he just did a great job of showing leadership and making sure that everyone is going to be on the same page moving forward.”
While beginning preparation for Saturday's home finale, Robinson is still recruiting internally and externally. For now, players inside the locker room are mulling over options. For those looking to commit for the future, they're buying into Robinson's preaching, including five-star defensive lineman Dominck McKinely, who tweeted Sunday: "I’m behind (coach Robinson) 100 percent. Not going anywhere.”
As for the on-field play, offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino will continue calling plays on that side of the ball but now will have the final say with Fisher gone. Defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin will continue running his side of the ball, though Robinson, who was promoted to co-defensive coordinator this offseason, could have an input.
The Aggies still have something to play for. Robinson is coaching for more than just an opportunity to remain on staff, but instead run it.
Players are buying into what he preaches. Bjork, who made the hire official minutes after letting Fisher go, expected nothing less.
"I expect them to really rally around Coach Robinson and finish the season strong," Bjork said.
