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Texas A&M is poised to hire Duke’s Mike Elko as its next football coach, according to multiple reports. The former Aggies defensive coordinator has emerged as the top choice, sources tell CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd, one day after a pending deal between Texas A&M and Kentucky coach Mark Stoops reportedly fell apart.
Elko met with his Duke team Sunday to discuss the move, and an announcement is expected within the next 24 hours, according to ESPN.
Elko, 46, quickly became a favorite among Texas A&M faithful after a highly successful run with the Aggies as defensive coordinator under former coach Jimbo Fisher. He came to Texas A&M after successful stints at Wake Forest and Notre Dame as part of Fisher’s initial staff in 2018. Under his watch, the Aggies defense ranked among the best units in the country, especially against the run.
During his tenure as defensive coordinator, Texas A&M went 34-14, capped off by a 9-1 Orange Bowl campaign in 2020. The Aggies also began their run recruiting at an elite level, especially when it came to locking down standout prospects on the defensive side 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 an impressive 9-4 campaign, its best mark since 2014. He followed it up with a 7-5 record in 2023 despite dealing with major issues at the quarterback position.
After Elko left Texas A&M, the Aggies went just 12-12 over the next two seasons. Fisher was fired just 10 games into his sixth season earlier this month. Elko is now tasked with guiding Texas A&M back to SEC contention as the league prepares to add Texas and Oklahoma in the 2024 season.
Texas A&M interim coach Elijah Robinson, who was hired away from Baylor as part…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/texas-a-m-to-hire-mike-elko-aggies-bring-back-former-defensive-boss-after-successful-run-at-duke-per-reports/
Author : Shehan Jeyarajah
Publish date : 2023-11-26 23:54:14
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