Mike Elko's journey to reviving Texas A&M into a College Football Playoff contender
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
As the Washington Post's Kent Babb put it, two years ago, the Texas A&M football program wasn't looking for a savior; it was searching for a janitor to clean up the mess and start anew.
In just two seasons at the helm in Bryan-College Station, Texas, head coach Mike Elko has revitalized and reconstructed the program to its first 8-0 start since 1992 and is eyeing a potential College Football Playoff bid for the first time in school history. Before Elko arrived on campus, Texas A&M football was at an all-time low, however.
Administration was cleaning house, which was close to including former athletic director Ross Bjork, who was sitting on a plane in Durham, North Carolina, two years ago, awaiting Elko's arrival to try and negotiate a deal to hire him as the new head coach of the Aggies. Before any conversations occurred, a longtime member of the Board of Regents told Bjork that if he did not return to College Station with Elko on that jet, that would be the end of his time at Texas A&M, according to Babb's column.
As Elko prepared to enter his SUV and travel to the airport to meet with the Aggie representatives about the head coaching position, he shared a heartfelt moment with his family. Elko's wife, Michelle, had a simple, but impactful response to him before departing for the conversation.
"We're in it together," Michelle said.
From the moment discussions began after Jimbo Fisher was fired on Nov. 12, 2023, Elko was the guy. The decision has led to massive success on and off the gridiron. During the summer months, Elko had the Aggies at the top of all 2026 recruiting boards as the program continued to attract top-ranked athletes across the country. That is because the players and Texas A&M's administrative figures believe in what he is building in College Station.
He's creating a program built on two fundamental aspects — hard work and family. Elko's belief and love for his team, coaches, and the community in Aggieland are why he is the perfect fit to be Texas A&M's head coach, and he isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
His true heart for the program and Aggie fans was on full display when Elko and his wife made sure to bring recognition to a man who received his final cancer treatment and is in remission during an Aggie Football Hour this year.
"Football means an awful lot around here," Elko said. "But being an Aggie means a lot more."
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo.
This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Why Mike Elko is the perfect fit as Texas A&M's head coach
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos