Texas A&M’s coaching search after the firing of Jimbo Fisher landed on a familiar face. The school announced Monday the hiring of Duke’s Mike Elko, who was previous the Aggies defensive coordinator.
‘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,’ Texas A&M athletics director Ross Bjork said. ‘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.’
Elko spent four seasons at Kyle Field with the Aggies from 2018-21 under Fisher as the Aggies’ defensive coordinator, going 34-14 while helming the defense. His most successful season with Texas A&M came in 2020, as his unit ranked ninth in the country in total defense amid a 9-1 record and Orange Bowl victory.
Elko has been among the top candidates to replace Fisher since the latter’s firing in early November, not only for his familiarity with the program but also the success he has enjoyed at Duke, which is not a traditional football power. News of the Aggies honing in on him come after Kentucky’s Mark Stoops was briefly reported Saturday to be their next hire.
After his time at Texas A&M, Elko moved on to his first head coaching gig with Duke, where he has orchestrated a turnaround in the program.
Elko stepped in and led the Blue Devils to a 9-4 record and a Military Bowl victory in the 2022 college football season. The year prior was a disappointing 3-9 campaign that saw the Blue Devils go 0-8 in ACC play under long-time coach David Cutcliffe.
Duke in 2023 finished the regular season at 7-5, which includes wins against Clemson and North Carolina State. Overall, Elko’s record with the Blue Devils was 16-9.
‘Coach Elko has a vision for Aggie football, and a specific plan for innovation and greatness which is exactly what our program needs right now to compete in the modern era of college athletics,’ Bjork said.