Texas A&M is poised to hire Duke’s Mike Elko as its next football coach, according to multiple reports. The Aggies’ former defensive coordinator has emerged as the first choice, sources tell CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd, a day after a pending deal between Texas A&M and Kentucky coach Mark Stoops reportedly fell through.
Elko met with his Duke team on Sunday to discuss the move. According to ESPN, an announcement is expected within the next 24 hours.
The 46-year-old Elko quickly became a favorite among Texas A&M fans after a highly successful run with the Aggies as defensive coordinator under former coach Jimbo Fisher. He came to Texas A&M as part of Fisher’s first team in 2018 after successful stints at Wake Forest and Notre Dame. Under his watch, the Aggies defense was one of the best units in the country, especially against the run.
During his tenure as defensive coordinator, Texas A&M posted a 34-14 record, capped by a 9-1 season in the Orange Bowl in 2020. The Aggies also began recruiting at an elite level, particularly when it came to acquiring standout talent defensive side of the ball.
The long-time defensive coordinator transferred to Duke in 2022. In his first season, Elko led the Blue Devils to an impressive 9-4 season, their best record since 2014. However, a 7-5 record followed in 2023 while dealing with key issues at the quarterback position.
After Elko left Texas A&M, the Aggies went just 12-12 over the next two seasons. Fisher was fired earlier this month after just 10 games into his sixth season. Elko is now tasked with leading Texas A&M back into SEC competition as the league prepares to add Texas and Oklahoma in the 2024 season.
Texas A&M interim coach Elijah Robinson, who was hired by Baylor as part of Elko’s first defensive staff with the Aggies, is expected to remain on Elko’s staff. Several players had publicly expressed support for Robinson getting the full-time job.
Maintenance of the roster
Texas A&M has recruited at an elite level in recent years, ranking No. 4 in the 247Sports Team Talent Composite. Hiring Elko and keeping Robinson is a direct attempt to hold together one of the most talented rosters in Texas A&M history.
Star wide receiver Evan Stewart, a former five-star recruit, did not travel with the team to play against LSU. Fellow wide receiver Raymond Cottrell has officially entered the portal and is ranked as the No. 3 overall player. If things aren’t handled properly, more players could be on their way to the portal. Elko is the safest option to salvage this talent and field a strong team in 2024 as he begins his task of leading the Aggies to prominence in an expanded SEC.
Rely on substance
Texas A&M was approached with numerous high-profile candidates throughout the search, but ultimately decided to go for familiarity over flash. The good news? Texas A&M has had success with a similar plan in the past.
After Jackie Sherrill’s retirement in 1988, the Aggies promoted legendary defensive coordinator RC Slocum to the helm. He became the winningest coach in modern program history. Its 72.2% winning percentage is considered the best since Dana X. Bible in 1928, when Slocum won four conference championships in 14 years. The Aggies have not won a conference title since.
Key assistants
One of the biggest stumbling blocks for a defensive coordinator on the path to becoming a head coach is overlooking the offense. Elko quickly dismissed those concerns and hired respected offensive coordinator Kevin Johns from Memphis to run his offense at Duke. Despite playing a backup quarterback for half the season, the Blue Devils averaged nearly 28 points per game.
Elko will have an open checkbook to put together his staff, especially considering he should come at a relatively cheap price. Elko earned just $3.5 million after signing a contract extension through 2029 with Duke, according to tax records. The Aggies can double his salary and still identify the top pick on the market.
A handful of former Texas A&M assistants followed Elko to Duke, including defensive coordinator Tyler Santucci and cornerbacks coach Ishmael Aristide. Elko will have to weigh whether he wants to get the band back together or look forward to having proven SEC pros on his first team.