SEC Media Days are always a highlight of the college football offseason, filled with headlines, hot takes, and even the occasional humorous moment. This year’s edition in Dallas delivered just that when an unexpected audio blunder stirred some good-natured laughter—and a little awkwardness.
On Tuesday, when Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian approached the podium for his press conference, the wrong fight song echoed through the venue. Instead of hearing the familiar strains of “Texas Fight,” the speakers blared the “Aggie War Hymn”—the fight song of their newly rejoined in-state rivals, Texas A&M.
While the moment was clearly a production error, it didn’t take long for it to make the rounds on social media. College football fans and pundits alike speculated whether the mix-up was a simple mistake or a subtle jab as the historic Texas-Texas A&M rivalry prepares to resume with both programs now part of the Southeastern Conference.
On Thursday, Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko took the stage for his own media appearance and, predictably, was asked about the incident. Rather than shy away or act overly serious, Elko took the opportunity to inject some humor into the situation.
“There was no fight song mishap today when I came out,” Elko joked, smiling as he began his press conference. The comment drew laughter from the room and showed the coach’s ability to maintain levity in an environment that often leans toward the intense and hyper-competitive.
Elko’s good-natured reaction underscores the excitement and intensity that will surely accompany the rekindled Lone Star Showdown when Texas and Texas A&M face off once again, this time as conference opponents in the SEC. The storied rivalry, which had been on hiatus since the Aggies left the Big 12 for the SEC in 2012, is set to be reignited in the 2024 season.
Beyond the humorous opening, Elko also addressed more serious team matters, most notably the status of defensive lineman Shemar Stewart. The talented player, once a highly touted five-star recruit, had been the subject of speculation regarding his future with the program. Elko put those rumors to rest, confirming that Stewart will not be returning to the Aggies’ roster.
“Shemar won’t be back with us,” Elko said, providing a definitive answer without going into the finer details of Stewart’s departure. The loss of Stewart is significant for Texas A&M’s defensive line depth, but Elko remained focused on the players currently in the program, emphasizing development and team unity moving forward.
The Aggies are entering a new era under Elko, who was hired following the departure of Jimbo Fisher. Elko, who previously served as the defensive coordinator at Texas A&M before a successful stint as the head coach at Duke, brings familiarity and a renewed sense of purpose to the program. His calm demeanor, combined with his defensive acumen, has given many in the Aggie fanbase reason for optimism.
As SEC Media Days wrap up, it’s clear that the rivalry between Texas and Texas A&M is already simmering—even if the spark came from a soundtrack snafu. With coaches like Elko embracing both the seriousness and the humor of the moment, college football fans can look forward to a thrilling 2024 season packed with drama, passion, and maybe a few more unexpected laughs along the way.