Texas A&M aims to hire Duke’s Mike Elko as its next head football coach, multiple sources reported Sunday afternoon.
The announcement comes less than 24 hours after reports linked Kentucky coach Mark Stoops to the Aggies’ opening. But Stoops took to social media late Saturday night to dismiss those claims, according to Field Level media.
The Houston Chronicle’s Brent Zwernemen reported earlier that a deal between Elko and the College Station school could be finalized before the end of today (Sunday). But ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported just after 4 p.m. that Elko has informed his Duke team that a decision will be made within the next 24 hours. So, it’s not official yet as of 5 p.m. Sunday but it appears likely.
Elko served as Texas A&M’s defensive coordinator from 2018-21 before taking the Duke job prior to the 2022 season. Elko’s first Blue Devil team finished 9-4, winning the Military Bowl against UCF. This year’s team wrapped up a 7-5 regular season with a 30-19 home victory against Pitt and is awaiting its bowl destination.
Duke started the 2023 season by knocking off Clemson 28-7 on Labor Day, then won its next three games to break into the national rankings. ESPN’s College GameDay visited Durham for the Notre Dame contest on Sept. 30. The Devils led in the fourth quarter, but Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman converted a late fourth-and-17 scramble, and the Irish ultimately prevailed 21-14.
Starting quarterback Riley Leonard suffered an injury in that game and missed much of the rest of the season. Duke lost in overtime at North Carolina but managed to beat other in-state rivals NC State and Wake Forest to assure itself a winning record. Riley is eligible to enter the NFL draft this spring.
Elko had been linked to the Michigan State opening as late as last week, according to The Athletic. But he reportedly told Duke officials he intended to coach in Durham in 2024. Elko’s name was tops on many lists when A&M first pulled the trigger to fire Jimbo Fisher a few weeks ago.
Duke signed Elko to a contract extension over the summer that runs through the 2029 season.
If Elko makes it official and heads to College Station, his first game as Texas A&M’s head man will be a doozy. The Aggies host Notre Dame on Aug. 31. A&M is set to renew its series with Texas in 2024 as well.
Elko is one of the “most sensible candidates” to fill A&M’s opening, according to The Athletic’s Sam Khan, Jr., a senior writer:
“Elko is a sharp mind with a varied background, with assistant coach stints in the FCS, the MAC and the ACC as well as a season at Notre Dame before joining A&M. He has succeeded everywhere he has been. Since taking his first head coaching job at Duke, he has immediately turned the Blue Devils around, taking them to back-to-back bowls, only the second coach in school history to do so. That head coaching experience was paramount for the Aggies, who have championship aspirations and wanted someone who could elevate the immense talent they have.
“His knowledge of Texas A&M and the roster, combined with his disciplined and organized approach, could help the Aggies turn things around quickly after a messy finish to the Jimbo Fisher era.”
