Robinson, A&M ending year ‘the right way’
COLLEGE STATION — Coaching changes and bowl games often are an awkward mix. If Texas A&M isn’t taking the cake on that front this season, the Aggies are at least taking a big bite.
Consider the cumbersome position of A&M interim coach Elijah Robinson, who is trying to do right by his (soon to be) former employer, as well as his new employer.
“When I’m here, I’ve got my A&M shirt on and I’m preparing these guys for this bowl game,” Robinson said Tuesday in the Kyle Field media room. “When I’m at Syracuse, I’m recruiting — that’s all we can do right now — and I’m evaluating the players there. That’s part of this business, and I’m trying to the best of my ability to give both sides everything I’ve got.”
A&M (7-5) takes on Oklahoma State (9-4) in the TaxAct Texas Bowl on the night of Dec. 27 at NRG Stadium, and the contest can’t get here soon enough for all involved with the Aggies. A&M fired Jimbo Fisher on Nov. 12 after six seasons of failing to compete for a Southeastern Conference title, and defensive line coach Robinson was named the interim coach.
Robinson led the Aggies to a win over Abilene Christian at Kyle Field and a loss at No. 13 LSU to close out the regular season. A&M then hired Mike Elko from Duke as Fisher’s successor. Elko did not offer Robinson, an ace recruiter under Fisher, the role of defensive coordinator, while Syracuse did.
Most coaches go ahead and pack their bags in that situation. Robinson did not.
“I made a commitment … and my commitment was to see these guys through the bowl game,” Robinson said.
It is strange during these holidays, however, to see recruits posting pictures of Robinson in their home wearing Syracuse gear, all while he’s still trying to get the Aggies through their bowl (and in at least one case, in the home of a current A&M pledge).
“(Syracuse) is where I’ll be the defensive coordinator, and I am preparing for Syracuse once this bowl game is over, so I’m recruiting for Syracuse,” Robinson said. “And if a recruit reaches out and asks me my thoughts about Texas A&M, I’m going to always tell them about this program and what this school can do for them.
“I’m also going to talk to them about the (new) coaching staff here (at
A&M) and what this coaching staff can do for them.”
A&M quarterback Jaylen Henderson said the players appreciate Robinson’s unwavering approach as the interim, even as they know he’s exiting the program for good on Dec. 28.
“He’s kept things stable,” Henderson said. “There are a lot of guys who maybe weren’t going to play (in the bowl game) who are playing because of coach Robinson. We made a commitment to finish the season, and he’s done a great job. I know he has another opportunity … but he’s done a great job fulfilling his commitment here.
“We want to do the same.”
At least, most of the Aggies do. Robinson did not provide a number of scholarship players still active in practice leading to the Texas Bowl, but he said it doesn’t matter.
“We’re not looking at opting out of this bowl game, I can tell you that,” Robinson said. “So if we go into this thing with 22 players, we’ll have 11 players on the field at a time. It’s guys who show up every day, and they deserve to play this game. If we’ve got 11 and we show up with 11, then we show up with 11. If we have 85, we’ll show up with 85.
“Whatever we have … we’re going to do everything possible to go out there and make (Aggies) proud.”
Robinson declined to say whether star receiver Evan Stewart, who missed the LSU game for what was officially deemed an injury, is practicing and described
any mystery around Stewart as a “personal deal” that he would leave up to Stewart to address if he so desires. Later Tuesday, 247Sports reported Stewart had entered the transfer portal. He could still return to A&M, however.
Also on Tuesday, starting defensive lineman Fadil Diggs announced he is transferring to Syracuse. Diggs already has graduated from A&M and, like Robinson, is from Camden, N.J.
Robinson’s steadfast approach to competing in the bowl is markedly different than that of Fisher two years ago. In 2021, Fisher pulled the 8-4 Aggies out of the Gator Bowl against Wake Forest, citing COVID-19 cases among his players. A&M, as is the case now, also was dealing with multiple opt-outs and injuries following that regular season.
The Aggies have gone 12-12 since Fisher’s fear of losing to the Demon Deacons played out two years ago, and Robinson has pledged it’s full speed ahead for the Aggies at NRG Stadium, regardless of numbers.
“It’s a testament to the guys we have,” A&M senior tight end Max Wright said. “(Robinson) is not just speaking for himself. He’s speaking for everybody in the program. At this point, it’s we’re who we’ve got, and who we’ve got is who we want. It’s special. (With) all the stuff that’s happened this season and all the reasons for guys to give in and say, ‘I’m over it. I look forward to next season,’ or, ‘I’ll stop giving it all I have’ … guys haven’t done that.
“This is our last goround, and we want to go out the right way.”