Everything Texas A&M HC Mike Elko said ahead of spring practice

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The road to the 2026 College Football Playoff begins now in College Station, as Texas A&M kicks off spring football following one of the most pivotal seasons in program history.

The Aggies are coming off their first double‑digit win campaign in nearly a decade and the program’s first-ever CFP appearance. Players and staff point to the culture shift under head coach Mike Elko and the transformed mentality in the weight room, led by Director of Football Strength & Conditioning Tommy Moffitt, as the foundation of that breakthrough.

That work continues in the offseason. Spring ball remains the crucible where development, competition, and system installation take center stage. This year’s camp carries added significance with new offensive and defensive coordinators—both internal promotions—tasked with putting their stamp on their respective units while maintaining the identity Elko has built.

Elko has also implemented a notable change this spring. Expanded media access. For the first time in years, reporters will have increased visibility into practices, giving fans more insight and content than ever before. It’s another example of Elko’s effort to modernize the program, balancing the evolving business side of college football with the traditions and engagement that define Aggieland.

Below is everything Coach Mike Elko had to say ahead of the start of spring practice.

Texas A&M head football coach Mike Elko opened the spring ball press conference, wishing coach Bucky McMillan

“I wanted to start by wishing Bucky and the basketball team good luck… It’s really cool to see what he was able to do this year given where that program and that team was when he got here.”

Coach Elko gives injury updates

“Jerome Myles, Micah Riley, Papa Ahfua, Jamar Beal-Goines, Dezz Ricks, Dalton Brooks and TomTom Johnson will be limited this spring. Long-term injuries from in-season surgeries: Jermaine Kinsler and Deyjhon Pettaway”

Coach Elko on the offensive lineman competition

“It’s going to be a really intense competition amongst a lot of talented offensive linemen.”

Coach Elko on his vision for spring practice

“Spring is about development. It’s the one time of year when you’re in pads 80-85 percent of the time. You’re able to be physical. You’re not worried about an opponent.” “When you talk about spring, ‘physicality’ to me is always the word that you’re trying to establish.”

Coach Elko on Holmon Wiggins’ play calling

“Holmon (Wiggins) has called plays in the spring game each year. There have been times in practice when he has called plays. Him calling plays is not completely new.”

Coach Elko on the spring, prepping the team for the fall

“Every spring, regardless of where you are, you start from ground zero. Whether you’re a returning player, an up-and-coming player or a new player, there are a lot of people that want to see their name in the starting 11 when we line up against Missouri State. That starts now.”

Coach Elko on Marcel Reed

“He now has a full season under his belt. He has been through the wringer. He has 18, or probably close to it, career starts. That allows you to really hone in on him.” “You’re really able to specific the plan to him. He has spent a lot of time with coach (Joey) Lynch.”

More on Marcel Reed’s need to become his best self

“We’re looking forward to him consistently being at his best more often.”

Coach Elko on quarterback coach Joey Lynch

“A lot of past connections are what got him here. … He has been a great staff fit for us for two years, doing a lot of work behind the scenes, and he has been a big part of what we’ve done on offense.” “What you get from him is a guy who is quarterback-centric in everything he does… His only job is quarterbacks.”

Coach Elko on Wiggins’ role with the wide receivers

“He’s still going to be heavily involved with wide receivers.” “That’s just kind of what happens when you get to that stage. We have a tremendous respect for John Perry. He brings great value to that room. Our wide receivers love him.”

Coach Elko on Devin Price (son of Terry Price)

“I think it’s really cool. He’s a long way from being an integral piece to the staff as he starts his coaching journey, but it’s cool for him to be here.” “When I found out that Devin wanted to get into coaching, we obviously wanted him. He’s a great coach. He’s a really hard worker. It was a cool opportunity to start his career at a place that can bring life full circle for him.”

Coach Elko on the Price family

“That name means an awful lot to this program.”

Coach Elko on the hiring process

“We’re always going to do what we think is best, and there will be times where we think what’s best is hiring people from other programs, and at times, what we think is best will be hiring people from within.”

Coach Elko on new DC Lyle Hemphill’s role with play calling

“We’ll see.”

Coach Elko on the Maroon & White game

“Our players deserve a game. … Our players deserve to have a game at Kyle Field and end the spring that way. We’ll draft teams. We’ll have a game. As long as we have enough healthy bodies, that’s what we’ll do as long as I’m the coach here.”

Coach Elko on acquiring top talent

“We need to be a program that has more NFL players than the people we are playing against, and that’s how we get to where we want to go.”

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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M coach Mike Elko speaks to the media ahead of spring practice

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