In a shocking and borderline comical twist, a recent SEC coaches ranking has placed Kentucky’s Mark Stoops ahead of Texas A&M’s Mike Elko — and Aggie fans aren’t having it. The snub has sparked disbelief across Aggieland, especially given the trajectory of both programs and what almost transpired in the post-Jimbo Fisher chaos.
When Fisher was fired, Texas A&M was reportedly on the verge of hiring Stoops. The deal was so close, it was essentially sealed with a handshake — until Aggie Nation erupted. Fans revolted against the idea, causing university leadership to change course and make what now looks like a program-saving pivot: hiring Mike Elko.
And that pivot is already paying off. Elko stepped in and immediately brought structure, energy, and forward-thinking to a team in desperate need of a new identity. Despite battling injuries, a rotating door at quarterback, and defensive gaps, Elko found ways to compete and improve. The Aggies showed flashes of the team fans have long been promised — and it’s just the beginning.
That’s why this new SEC coaches ranking feels so out of touch. Stoops, while respected for stabilizing Kentucky’s program, has struggled to evolve. His offense is often outdated, his recruiting lacks the firepower needed to compete with the big boys, and many of the same issues that haunted Jimbo Fisher seem to mirror in Stoops’ approach.
To Aggie fans, putting Stoops ahead of Elko is not just laughable — it’s offensive. It ignores Elko’s early impact, his ability to modernize the program, and the momentum he’s already building on the recruiting trail.
What makes it even more ironic? Had that Stoops hire gone through, the Aggies might be stuck with a slower, duller version of what they were desperately trying to escape. Instead, they got Elko — and possibly a shot at redemption.
For now, Mike Elko still has to prove he can win big in the SEC. But if this ranking is any indication, he’s already got the motivation — and a locker room full of players eager to prove the doubters wrong.
Elko Snubbed in Favor of Mark Stoops? SEC Coaches Ranking Has Fans in Uproar. In a shocking and borderline comical twist, a recent SEC coaches ranking has placed Kentucky’s..
