A conversation with Mike Elko, the head football coach at Texas A&M, during the offseason

A Conversation with Mike Elko: Head Coach of Texas A&M Football During the Offseason

The offseason in college football is a time for reflection, preparation, and planning. While the players take some much-needed rest, coaches like Mike Elko, the head football coach at Texas A&M University, are hard at work shaping the future of their programs. For Elko, who took over as head coach in December 2022, the offseason presents a unique opportunity to assess his team’s strengths and weaknesses, continue building his culture, and fine-tune the approach that will lead Texas A&M back to national prominence.

As the Aggies look to return to the upper echelon of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), Coach Elko has a lot on his plate. His first season at the helm (2023) was a mixed bag, marked by some highs and some frustrating losses, but it also provided valuable lessons for both the coaching staff and the players. With a new season on the horizon, we sat down for an in-depth conversation with Elko about his vision for the program, the challenges of coaching at a high-profile SEC school, and the keys to building a championship-caliber team.

A Reflection on 2023: Learning from the Past

As the conversation begins, Elko starts by reflecting on his first season as Texas A&M’s head coach. Despite the ups and downs, he remains optimistic about the trajectory of the program.

“It was a year of learning for all of us, including me,” Elko says with a hint of humility. “You come into a program like this with a lot of expectations, and sometimes things don’t go as smoothly as you’d hope. But that doesn’t mean there weren’t positives. We made progress in areas I’m really excited about, and we’ve set a foundation moving forward.”

One of the primary challenges for Elko and the Aggies in 2023 was finding consistency on both sides of the ball. The offense showed flashes of brilliance but struggled with turnovers and execution in key moments, while the defense remained a strong suit but had its share of lapses against top-tier opponents.

“Football is about consistency,” Elko explains. “We need to be consistent in all three phases of the game—offense, defense, and special teams. I think we showed we can compete with the best teams in the country, but we need to be able to do it week in and week out. That’s the next step for us.”

In 2023, Texas A&M ended the regular season with a 7-5 record, a solid finish that did little to quell the high expectations placed on the program. The Aggies will be aiming for a return to the SEC championship game, a feat that feels both attainable and daunting in the highly competitive landscape of the SEC.

“We’ve got to be honest with ourselves,” Elko continues. “In the SEC, every week is a battle. There’s no such thing as a ‘gimme’ game. We’ll need to raise our level to compete with teams like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU. That’s the standard we’re working towards. It’s a process, but I believe we have the talent to get there.”

Building a Winning Culture

One of the central themes of Elko’s tenure at Texas A&M has been his focus on building a strong, winning culture. After years of fluctuating success, the Aggies have needed a steady hand to guide them, and Elko’s experience as a defensive coordinator at elite programs like Notre Dame and Duke has proven invaluable in shaping the program’s identity.

“Elko’s background as a defensive coordinator really shaped the foundation of our team,” says Jimbo Fisher, the former head coach of Texas A&M and now an adviser to the program. “He understands how to build a program from the ground up, and he’s instilling discipline and accountability in every player. That’s what makes him special.”

For Elko, building a winning culture goes beyond just what happens on the field. It’s about the mentality and the work ethic that players bring every day. “Culture is everything in college football,” he states firmly. “It’s about setting the right expectations and holding everyone accountable. We’re teaching our guys how to be disciplined, how to work together as a team, and how to approach every practice and game with the right mindset. You do that, and the results will follow.”

Elko’s vision for Texas A&M isn’t limited to just wins and losses. He’s focused on developing players who are not only great football players but also great individuals. The culture he’s trying to build is one where players thrive both on and off the field, preparing them for success in life after football.

“It’s about developing young men,” Elko emphasizes. “We want our players to leave Texas A&M better than they came. Whether that means helping them graduate, preparing them for the NFL, or giving them the tools they need to succeed in their future careers, that’s what we’re here for.”

Recruiting and the Transfer Portal: Navigating the New Landscape

In today’s college football world, recruiting is more important than ever. However, with the advent of the transfer portal, the dynamics of building a team have shifted. Elko has had to adapt quickly to this new reality, balancing traditional recruiting with the need to find impact players through the portal.

“The transfer portal is a huge part of recruiting now,” Elko says. “It’s a tool that helps us fill immediate needs and bring in experienced players who can contribute right away. But at the same time, we’re still focusing on building relationships with high school players and bringing in the best young talent we can find.”

Elko is keenly aware of the challenges of managing a roster with both high school recruits and transfer portal additions. “It’s a balancing act. We want to maintain the long-term development of our program, but we also need to bring in players who can help us win now. I think we’ve done a good job of balancing both sides of the equation. We’ve added some key pieces through the portal, and we’ve also signed some really talented freshmen.”

Texas A&M has been active in the transfer portal, bringing in several key players in the offseason to help bolster both sides of the ball. Elko has been strategic in his approach, targeting players who fit the Aggies’ needs and can contribute to the team’s immediate goals.

“I think the portal gives us a chance to add experienced players who can make an impact,” Elko says. “It’s important that we bring in guys who fit our culture, not just our needs. We want players who are all-in on what we’re trying to build here.”

Quarterback Play: The Key to Success

One of the biggest storylines heading into the 2024 season for Texas A&M is the quarterback situation. The Aggies have had some inconsistency at the position in recent years, and Elko knows that the success of the team hinges on finding the right guy under center.

“We’re still figuring out who our starting quarterback is going to be,” Elko admits. “We’ve got a talented group of quarterbacks competing for the job, and it’s going to be about who gives us the best chance to win. The quarterback position is the most important position on the field, and it’s going to be crucial for us to get it right.”

Elko has a couple of options heading into the season, with Conner Weigman, Max Johnson, and Haynes King all vying for the starting role. Each quarterback brings something different to the table, and Elko is confident that whoever earns the job will be able to lead the team effectively.

“We’ve got three guys who can all play at a high level,” Elko says. “Each of them has strengths, and it’s going to come down to who can execute our offense consistently and lead the team. We want a guy who is poised, who can make the tough throws, and who can handle the pressure of playing in the SEC.”

The SEC Challenge: Competing at the Highest Level

As a coach in the SEC, Elko is no stranger to the level of competition that defines the conference. The SEC is widely regarded as the toughest conference in college football, with teams like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU dominating the landscape year after year. For Elko, the challenge is clear: he must elevate Texas A&M to compete with the best in the nation.

“There’s no easy game in the SEC,” Elko says. “Every week, you’re playing against some of the best talent in the country. That’s why we have to be prepared for every game, every situation. We can’t take anyone lightly.”

The challenge of competing in the SEC is something Elko embraces. “I thrive in that environment,” he says. “The pressure is intense, but that’s what makes the league so exciting. It pushes you to be your best every single day.”

Looking Ahead: The Future of Texas A&M Football

As the conversation winds down, Elko reflects on the long-term vision for Texas A&M football. He’s clear that the goal is to build a sustainable, winning program that competes for championships year in and year out. “We’re building something here,” he says. “It’s going to take time, but I believe we’re on the right track. We have the resources, the support, and the talent to be one of the best programs in the country.”

Elko is confident that with continued progress, Texas A&M can challenge for SEC titles and eventually make a push for the College Football Playoff. The foundation is in place; it’s now about executing and maintaining the level of consistency needed to achieve greatness.

In the end, Elko’s focus is simple but powerful: “We want to win championships. That’s why we’re here. And we’re going to do everything we can to make that happen.”

The offseason may be a time of rest for some, but for Mike Elko and the Texas A&M football program, it’s a time to continue building the future, one step at a time.