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Texas A&M Football

Texas A&M to hire Duke's Mike Elko as head football coach

November 26, 2023
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Mike Elko, the current Duke head coach and former Texas A&M defensive coordinator, will become the next head football coach at Texas A&M.

TexAgs' co-owner and executive editor Billy Liucci reported the news on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter.

Elko, 46, was 16-9 in his two seasons in Durham. Seven of those nine defeats have come by one score or less. Prior to his arrival, Duke's last winning season was an 8-5 campaign in 2018 that culminated in an Independence Bowl victory.

This year, the Blue Devils broke into the AP top 25 following a 4-0 start, but after losing starting quarterback Riley Leonard to injury, Duke slumped to a 7-5 record -- including one-score losses to then-No. 11 Notre Dame and at then-No. 24 North Carolina.

Though a defensive coach by trade, Elko’s offense averaged 32.8 points to rank 32nd in the nation in scoring in 2022. This season the Blue Devils averaged 27.5 points to rank 67th in the nation. Again, Duke was without Leonard most of the season.

Prior to earning his first head coaching job at Duke, Elko spent four seasons guiding A&M's defense after joining Jimbo Fisher's staff in 2018. His defenses finished ranked No. 9 (317.3) and No. 14 (328.6) nationally in yards allowed in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Elko's 2020 unit assisted the Aggies in winning the 2021 Capital One Orange Bowl and a No. 4 finish in the AP poll.

A native of South Brunswick, New Jersey, Elko played safety at the University of Penn and helped the Quakers win the Ivy League crown as a senior in 1998.

After his playing career, Elko became a graduate assistant at Stony Brook in 1999 before returning to his alma mater to coach defensive backs in 2000. Stints at the United States Merchant Marine Academy (2001), Fordham (2002-2003), Richmond (2004-2005) and Hofstra (2006-2008) followed.

Elko got his first Division I FBS coaching experience when he joined Dave Clawson's staff at Bowling Green in 2009. When Clawson departed for Wake Forest after the 2013 campaign, Elko joined his staff in Winston-Salem.

In three seasons at Wake Forest, Elko's defenses ranked inside the top 50 twice, including a no. 24 standing in 2016. Off of that success, Elko had a one-year stop at Notre Dame under Brian Kelly in 2017 before coming to College Station ahead of the 2018 campaign.

Elko will have access to better athletes at A&M. A major reason for that is he’ll be reunited with ace recruiter Elijah Robinson, who has served as A&M’s interim head coach since Fisher’s dismissal. Robinson was the defensive tackles coach on Elko’s defensive staff.

Following a 42-30 loss to LSU on Saturday, Robinson expressed his desire to remain at A&M in some capacity. He figures to be retained by Elko.

Set to become the 30th head coach in A&M history, Elko is expected to be introduced as early as Monday, and the terms of his contract have yet to be released.

Discussion from...

Texas A&M to hire Duke's Mike Elko as head football coach

100,447 Views | 64 Replies | Last: 10 mo ago by torrid
jb 00
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TexasLeaguer
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AG
Nothings official until TexAgs' posters say it's official. We good boys?
zag80
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Yes!!
SchizoAg
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amercer
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AG
8 mil a year for 9 years guaranteed? Or something more?
TexasLeaguer
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amercer said:

8 mil a year for 9 years guaranteed? Or something more?


Probably like 10 years for 75 million. Wanna come full circle
DallasAggie97
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AG
Gig 'em!
dustytool
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We good. We real good.
ParkerAg
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AG
Time to move forward
Bring n WOOD
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I'm good…. with everything going down… And our desire to keep E Rob this was probably the best move by staff/regents
Agvet12
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Safe hire can be the best hire sometimes
AggieDadxTwo
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This was an obvious choice. I believe it is a great hire. I suspect much of the existing coaching staff and players will view this as good news and be staying. Recruits should like it too.
infinity ag
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Page Ondhu!
Matsui
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Excellent
lagoag
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Welcome home Mike.
deer corn
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As one who always said we should have poured out cash to get him to stay, this is a good thing.

Defense wins championships in all mindsets.
DGrimesAg92
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BAM!!
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brunsie
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AG
Bring on the Elk!
I hope our defense is nasty next season!
agent-maroon
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page juan

Welcome back Coach Elko!
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PyriteAg
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AG
Great hire, but fire Bjork.

It's beyond stupid we had to """""""""help"""""""""" him making this obvious choice over Stoops.
Propane & Accessories
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Is there a Christmas tree out side a house in Durham?
TAMU74
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That picture of Mike makes him look like the pope.
Mike needs to hit the gym w/ Nino.
LatinAggie1997
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#1 total Defense in country coming up!
Mary82
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And Girls!!! YES!!!
redjalapeno-87
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Gig'em Coach Elko!!!
ThunderFighter06
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Not like my opinion matters but I too am pleased with this hire!
Charlie 31
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Page Juan!

Welcome back to Aggieland, Coach Elko!!!
Eddie Vedder
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Great hire
wisdom
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AG
amercer said:

8 mil a year for 9 years guaranteed? Or something more?
No no no.....I have the inside info......$15 Mil ....15 years
ElephantRider
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AG
I don't think he was anyone's first choice, but it's a solid hire. Welcome back
79ags
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Best option right now! A Duke friend told me he's really sad to see him leave. He's been a great leader for them. He knows A&M and the players really respect him from what I've heard. Hopefully he takes care of E-Rob, hires elite offensive coaches, and keeps a top 10 recruiting class. Merry Christmas!
Meximan
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Assuming this to be true, that makes it more likely E Rob stays but probably gets promoted, which the players will love
Houstonag
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I am good with this. Welcome Coach Elko.
e=mc2
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79ags said:

Best option right now! A Duke friend told me he's really sad to see him leave. He's been a great leader for them. He knows A&M and the players really respect him from what I've heard. Hopefully he takes care of E-Rob, hires elite offensive coaches, and keeps a top 10 recruiting class. Merry Christmas!


From your fingers to God's ears!
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