Afrigather Texas A&M has employed Duke’s Mike Elko as its subsequent soccer coach, the varsity introduced on Monday. The previous Aggies defensive coordinator emerged because the best choice, sources informed CBS Sports activities’ Dennis Dodd, someday after a pending deal between Texas A&M and Kentucky coach Mark Stoops reportedly fell aside.
“Coach Mike Elko is without doubt one of the finest leaders and coaches in school soccer and has had high-level success at every cease of his profession,” Texas A&M athletic director Ross Bjork mentioned. “He’s identified amongst teaching circles as top-of-the-line defensive minds within the nation and has proven his means to steer and switch round a program as a Energy 5 head coach.”
Elko, 46, rapidly grew to become a favourite amongst Texas A&M trustworthy after a extremely profitable run with the Aggies as defensive coordinator underneath former coach Jimbo Fisher. He got here to Texas A&M after profitable stints at Wake Forest and Notre Dame as a part of Fisher’s preliminary employees in 2018. Beneath his watch, the Aggies protection ranked among the many finest models within the nation, particularly in opposition to the run.
Throughout his tenure as defensive coordinator, Texas A&M went 34-14, capped by a 9-1 Orange Bowl marketing campaign in 2020. The Aggies additionally started their run recruiting at an elite stage, throughout which they had been particularly efficient when it got here to locking down standout prospects on the defensive aspect of the ball.
The longtime defensive coordinator left to take over at Duke in 2022. In his first season, Elko led the Blue Devils to a formidable 9-4 marketing campaign, its finest mark since 2014. He adopted it up with a 7-5 document in 2023 regardless of coping with main points on the quarterback place.
After Elko left Texas A&M, the Aggies went simply 12-12 over the subsequent two seasons. Fisher was fired simply 10 video games into his sixth season earlier this month. Elko is now tasked with guiding Texas A&M again to SEC competition because the league prepares so as to add Texas and Oklahoma within the 2024 season.
Texas A&M interim coach Elijah Robinson, who was employed away from Baylor as a part of Elko’s first defensive employees with the Aggies, is predicted to remain on Elko’s employees. A number of gamers had publicly expressed help for Robinson to obtain the full-time job.
Sustaining the roster
Texas A&M recruited at an elite stage over the previous a number of years, reaching No. 4 within the 247Sports Team Talent Composite. Hiring Elko and retaining Robinson is a direct try and attempt to preserve collectively probably the most proficient rosters in Texas A&M historical past.
Star huge receiver Evan Stewart, a former five-star recruit, didn’t journey with the workforce to play in opposition to LSU. Fellow huge receiver Raymond Cottrell formally entered the portal and is rated the No. 3 total participant. Extra gamers could possibly be on their strategy to the portal if issues aren’t dealt with proper. Elko is the most secure choice to salvage this expertise and discipline a powerful workforce in 2024 as he begins his quest of guiding the Aggies to prominence in an expanded SEC.
Leaning on substance
Texas A&M was linked with quite a few high-profile candidates over the course of the search however finally determined to lean with familiarity over flash. The excellent news? Texas A&M has discovered success prior to now with an analogous plan.
After Jackie Sherrill resigned in 1988, the Aggies promoted legendary defensive coordinator R.C. Slocum to the highest place. He went on to change into essentially the most profitable coach in trendy program historical past. His 72.2% profitable proportion ranks as the perfect since Dana X. Bible in 1928 as Slocum gained 4 convention championships in 14 years. The Aggies haven’t gained a convention crown since.
Key assistants
One of many biggest hindrances for a defensive coordinator changing into a head coach is overlooking the offense. Elko rapidly dismissed that concern, hiring well-regarded offensive coordinator Kevin Johns from Memphis to run his offense at Duke. Regardless of enjoying a backup quarterback for half the season, the Blue Devils averaged almost 28 factors per recreation.
Elko may have an open checkbook to place collectively his employees, particularly contemplating that he ought to come at a relative cut price. Based on tax paperwork, Elko made simply $3.5 million after signing a contract extension via 2029 at Duke. The Aggies can double his wage and nonetheless establish the highest decisions in the marketplace.
A handful of former Texas A&M assistants adopted Elko to Duke, together with defensive coordinator Tyler Santucci and cornerbacks coach Ishmael Aristide. Elko must weigh bringing the band again collectively vs. trying ahead with confirmed SEC professionals on his first employees.
