Mike Elko took the helm as the new head coach of Texas A&M on Monday, addressing a crowd of enthusiastic fans inside Kyle Field and expressing his readiness to meet the high expectations ahead.
“We are committed to building the premier football program in the country,” declared Elko. “No more talk—we’re going to show it in our actions.”
Having spent four years in College Station under Jimbo Fisher from 2018 to 2021, Elko left for his first head coaching role at Duke. There, he achieved a 16-9 record over the past two seasons and earned the title of ACC Coach of the Year in 2022.
After Fisher’s departure on November 12, Elko emerged as a top candidate for the A&M position. He ultimately agreed to a six-year contract featuring a base salary of $7 million per year. The contract also includes various College Football Playoff incentives, with bonuses ranging from $1 million for a CFP appearance to $3.5 million for a national title. The deal allocates an $11 million salary pool for assistants and support staff, positioning it competitively on a national scale, according to Texas A&M athletic director Ross Bjork.
While the contract awaits approval at the November 30 Board of Regents meeting, it marks a departure from Fisher’s fully guaranteed $9.5 million annual contract. Elko’s potential earnings would increase to $10.5 million with a national title, and any postseason incentive would add an extra year to his contract.
Elko and Bjork emphasized their desire to retain interim coach Elijah Robinson, who will lead the team through a bowl game and expressed a commitment to keeping him on staff.
Facing a challenging schedule in the initial weeks of his tenure, Elko must navigate the transfer portal as players can immediately enter due to the coaching change. Additionally, he needs to assemble a coaching staff and finalize the Aggies’ recruiting class for the December 20 signing day. Despite the hurdles, Elko, who is familiar with many players on the current roster, is optimistic about establishing a new identity and leadership.
The decision to bring in Elko stems from a desire to break away from the underachievement cycle under Fisher, particularly in offensive performance. During Elko’s tenure on Fisher’s staff, the Aggies posted a 34-14 record, while they went 12-12 in the last two years without him.
Elko, the first defensive head coach for Texas A&M since 2002, aims to instill a blue-collar work ethic. He acknowledges the importance of a strong offense, citing recent national championship programs like Alabama and Georgia.
The coaching search process involved discussions with former A&M players, including Heisman winner Johnny Manziel, who emphasized the need for the Aggies to be an “intimidating bully.” Elko arrived in College Station early Monday morning, and despite rumors linking Kentucky coach Mark Stoops to the job, the final selection was Elko.
Expressing his emotional connection to the area and his family’s sacrifices, Elko sees the opportunity to lead an SEC program to a national championship as the realization of a dream. He emphasizes the support of Texas A&M’s fan base, the 12th Man, and describes the university as having the resources to be the premier football program in the country.
Acknowledging the history of unfulfilled potential at Texas A&M, Elko is determined to change the narrative. “We’ve got to fulfill that potential,” he said. “It takes commitment and hard work—from today until we kick off next September.”
