Five months into the 2026 offseason, Texas A&M coach Mike Elko enters his third season at the helm with even higher expectations after leading the Aggies to the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history. Less than a month after the annual Maroon & White Game, Elko and his staff have a better understanding of how far along the revamped roster is heading into the summer.
After being hired just weeks before the conclusion of Texas A&M’s 2023 season, Elko was oddly not the first choice for former Athletic Director Ross Bjork, who instead focused on now former Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops, but after relentless pushback from the fanbase, a sudden change of heart resulted in the then Duke head coach making his way back to College Station.
After serving four seasons under Fisher as Texas A&M’s defensive coordinator, Elko became a fan favorite due to his focused yet jovial personality, exotic pass-rush scheme, and passion for the program, which earned him early favoritism to take over for Fisher during Jimbo’s late struggles.
During his first season with the Aggies, Elko led a team made up of 2023 returnees and 20-plus transfer portal additions to a 7-0 start, but due to star running back Le’Veon Moss’s injury and issues in the secondary, Texas A&M finished the year a disappointing 8-5, including a miserable bowl game loss to USC.
However, things turned around instantly, returning more than 90% or the 2024 roster, while current starting quarterback Marcel Reed, who entered the 2024 campaign as the starter, took another step in his development after throwing for a career-high 3,169 yards and 25 touchdowns, connecting with star transfer wide receivers KC Concepcion and Mario Craver for nearly 2,000 combined yards.
Reaching 11-0 for the first time in the early 1990’s, Texas A&M’s first trip to the College Football Playoff was the icing on the cake of an already impressive second season under Mike Elko, and while his recent contract extension, now being paid $11.5 million per year, can be debated, the New Jersey native has become somewhat of a media favorite.
On Wednesday, SEC Network host Paul Finebaum sat down with the Crain brothers, heaping praise on Elko for his leadership, stating that Elko is a “masterclass in what a coach should look like.” Here is the full clip for your viewing pleasure.
@finebaum believes in Mike Elko!! @TexAgs@AggieFootballpic.twitter.com/5Kh6pbL9qA
— Blain Crain (@Blain_Crain) May 6, 2026
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Paul Finebaum praises HC Mike Elko as ‘masterclass’ in coaching