Elko taking an active approach in ensuring A&M's coverage improves

Click HERE to view Texas A&M’s Wednesday press conference.

Following the Las Vegas Bowl loss three months ago, Texas A&M football coach Mike Elko vented his frustration with the Aggies' failure to execute zone defense.

“We can’t play zone coverage,” Elko lamented then. “Every time we play zone coverage, we give up big plays. We have no concept of what we’re doing, so we have to play man-to-man all the time.”

As the season progressed, opposing coaches probably figured that out. Perhaps that explains why the Aggies allowed an average of 264.5 passing yards and nine touchdown passes in the last four losses against South Carolina, Auburn, Texas and USC.

Though the Aggies are only three practices into spring football, Elko was asked on Wednesday what steps have been taken over the last three months to solve A&M’s problems in zone coverage.

“It’s making sure that we clean up expectations,” Elko said. “Clean up the way we’re teaching. Clean up the way they’re learning and understanding and processing.

“Make sure you kind of identify — OK, what do we need to do to get this better? It’s been good.

“We spent a lot of time in walk-throughs through February kind of making sure we understood spatially what we’re trying to get accomplished, what we’re trying to go with it.

“We continue to do walk-throughs through spring ball. That’s kind of just our regular rhythm.”

There are reasons to believe the Aggies will improve in coverage. They brought in cornerbacks Jordan Shaw from Washington and Julian Humphrey from Georgia via the transfer portal. They’re also getting nickel back Tyreek Chappell back from injury.

But mostly, Elko, who once was ranked among the premier defensive coordinators in the nation, has made it clear he will take a more active role in the defense in 2025.

“I’ll have a bigger role in what we’re doing,” he confirmed. “I don’t think that’s because I don’t have confidence in anybody in the building. Certainly not that I don’t have confidence in coach (Jay) Bateman. Coach Bateman is a phenomenal coach.

“I think it’s an identification of an issue that needs to get solved and believing I have an ability to help solve it. That’s what it really comes down to.”

The Aggies desperately need to fix their zone coverage issues. The list of quarterbacks they face next season includes Florida’s DJ Lagway, Arkansas’ Taylen Green, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers and Texas’ Arch Manning. Also, Oklahoma transfer Jackson Arnold hopes to revive his career at Auburn.

Sellers passed for 244 yards and two touchdowns vs. A&M. Nussmeier passed for 405 yards and two touchdowns, though he also threw interceptions vs. the Aggies. Green passed for 279 yards and a score.

“There’s not a single person in our building that’s excited with the way the defense played down the stretch,” Elko said. “That’s not just me. I’m not the only person. I think our players have a lot of pride in making sure it gets back to where it was. I think our coaches have a lot of pride in making sure it gets back to where it was.

“Through eight games, we were in a really good place. We just didn’t finish the way we wanted to, defensively. It’s an emphasis. It’s a focus. I think we’re meeting it head-on.”