Mike Elko returns to Texas A&M as the Aggies’ defensive coordinator following a successful tenure with Duke.
Elko was previously the Aggies’ defensive coordinator under former head coach Jimbo Fisher.
Mike Elko of Duke has been appointed as Texas A&M’s new football coach, the university said on Monday. One day after reports surfaced that a potential contract between Texas A&M and Kentucky coach Mark Stoops had collapsed, the former Aggies defensive coordinator emerged as the preferred choice, sources told CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd.
Ross Bjork, athletic director at Texas A&M, stated, “Coach Mike Elko is one of the best leaders and coaches in college football and has had high-level success at each stop of his career.” “He is known amongst coaching circles as one of the best defensive minds in the country and has shown his ability to lead and turn around a program as a Power 5 head coach.”
Following a tremendously successful tenure with the Aggies as defensive coordinator under former coach Jimbo Fisher, Elko, 46, swiftly rose to the top among Texas A&M supporters. Having served as a member of Fisher’s first staff at Wake Forest and Notre Dame, he moved to Texas A&M in 2018. The Aggies defense, particularly against the run, was one of the finest in the nation while he was in charge.
Texas A&M finished 34-14 under his direction as defensive coordinator, highlighted by a 9-1 Orange Bowl season in 2020. The Aggies also started their recruitment campaign at the highest level, and they were particularly successful at securing outstanding talents on the defensive end of the ball.
In 2022, the veteran defensive coordinator took a position at Duke. Elko guided the Blue Devils to their best record since 2014—9–4—in his debut season. In 2023, he managed to post a 7-5 record in spite of significant problems at the quarterback position.
The Aggies’ record the following two seasons was merely 12-12 after Elko left Texas A&M. Earlier this month, Fisher was sacked after just 10 games in his sixth season. As the league is ready to welcome Texas and Oklahoma in the 2024 season, Elko’s current assignment is to lead Texas A&M back into SEC contention.
Elko’s first defensive staff with the Aggies included Texas A&M interim coach Elijah Robinson, who was hired after Baylor and is anticipated to remain on Elko’s staff. A number of players have openly voiced their support for Robinson being hired on a full-time basis.
