Texas A\&M’s Mike Elko and AD Trev Alberts navigate highs and lows, shaping the evolving state of Aggie athletics together.

The story of Texas A&M Athletics in 2025 is one of transition, expectation, and resilience. As the Aggies navigate a pivotal stretch in their athletic program’s history, two central figures have emerged at the helm: Head Football Coach Mike Elko and Athletic Director Trev Alberts. Together, they represent a new vision for Texas A&M — one grounded in accountability, culture, and long-term competitive excellence.

Their journey is already a story of highs and lows. In a landscape as competitive as the SEC and with an alumni base as passionate as the Aggies’, every decision, every win, and every setback reverberates far beyond the athletic fields. But amid pressure and high expectations, Elko and Alberts are working in lockstep to guide the program forward.

The Arrival of Trev Alberts: Vision and Reform

Trev Alberts was hired as Texas A&M’s athletic director in 2024 following a tenure at Nebraska, where he was credited with stabilizing a faltering athletics department and bringing fiscal discipline along with a renewed focus on core values. At A&M, his challenge was clear: revitalize a massive athletics machine weighed down by underperformance in key areas, most notably football, and elevate its standing in both competition and culture.

From the outset, Alberts emphasized integrity, alignment, and athlete-first philosophies. His leadership style, known for being structured but approachable, was quickly evident. One of his first major moves was evaluating the state of the football program and hiring a head coach who not only knew the Texas A&M culture but had the coaching chops to lead in the SEC.

Enter Mike Elko.

The Return of Mike Elko: From Defensive Wizard to Head Coach

Mike Elko’s return to College Station as head coach was met with both excitement and pressure. Having served as defensive coordinator at A&M from 2018 to 2021, Elko was no stranger to the university or the expectations of Aggieland. His time at Duke as head coach, where he turned around a struggling program and brought respectability to the Blue Devils, made him a compelling candidate.

When Alberts hired Elko, it wasn’t just about familiarity — it was about cultural fit, football philosophy, and leadership style. Both men shared a vision: build a sustainable program that could compete with the likes of Alabama and Georgia not only through talent but also through discipline, development, and strategic investment.

“Elko brings stability, toughness, and attention to detail,” Alberts said at the time of the hire. “He’s the right man to lead this team forward, not just for this season but for the next decade.”

Navigating Early Challenges

The 2024–25 athletic year was never going to be easy. Elko inherited a roster in flux following years of inconsistent performance and high turnover. NIL and transfer portal dynamics added another layer of complexity to team building.

Yet Elko attacked the challenge head-on. He restructured the staff, reemphasized fundamentals, and reestablished a culture of accountability. Spring practices saw increased intensity and attention to execution. Strength and conditioning were prioritized, and a renewed focus on team unity began to take shape.

Early results were mixed. The Aggies opened the season with some hard-fought wins but also experienced frustrating losses that exposed lingering weaknesses, particularly on the offensive line and special teams. Still, fans noticed something different: effort, energy, and buy-in.

“We’re laying the foundation,” Elko said after a narrow win over a non-conference opponent. “This is about more than one game. It’s about building a program Aggies can be proud of every week.”

The Role of Alberts: Supporting Coaches, Managing the Big Picture

While Elko focused on the field, Alberts worked behind the scenes to improve the infrastructure and overall direction of the athletics department. That included improving athlete academic support, pushing forward facility upgrades, and tightening budgets to ensure long-term financial sustainability.

He also increased engagement with student-athletes across all sports, emphasizing that Texas A&M wasn’t a one-program school. “We want excellence in football, yes,” Alberts told media. “But we also want our track, swimming, baseball, and women’s programs to feel supported, empowered, and successful.”

One of Alberts’ more controversial but bold decisions was implementing a department-wide performance and culture review. This move raised eyebrows but signaled to fans and donors that business as usual was no longer acceptable. “We owe it to our student-athletes and supporters to be elite in every aspect — on the field and off,” he said.

Recruiting, NIL, and the Future of Aggie Football

Recruiting remains the lifeblood of any top-tier college football program, and Elko has already shown a strategic approach to the new recruiting environment. While A&M still competes for five-star talent, there’s a greater emphasis on identifying players who fit the system — athletes who are coachable, disciplined, and team-oriented.

The program’s NIL strategy, spearheaded by a collaborative effort between the athletic department and private collectives, is more structured than in years past. Transparency, compliance, and balance are key. Alberts has been vocal about ensuring NIL does not become a distraction or deterrent to team chemistry.

“Elko and I talk constantly about alignment,” Alberts said. “We want the right athletes, the right deals, and the right environment. That means being smart, not just splashy.”

So far, that philosophy appears to be paying dividends. Several 2025 recruits have cited A&M’s development-first approach as a key factor in their commitment.

Beyond Football: The Broader Athletic Picture

While football naturally garners the most attention, both Alberts and Elko understand the importance of a strong overall athletic department. Under Alberts’ guidance, Texas A&M has already made strides in improving the performance of other programs, including women’s basketball, track and field, and baseball.

Elko has also been supportive of this broader mission, regularly attending events across campus and encouraging his players to support their fellow Aggies. This unified vision of “One Team, One Aggie Family” is helping shift the culture in tangible ways.

The Pressure of Expectations

Of course, no amount of vision can completely shield leaders from the reality of high expectations. Texas A&M is a proud institution with a passionate fanbase and considerable resources. Moral victories only go so far, and wins are the ultimate currency.

Both Alberts and Elko are aware of this. They don’t shy away from pressure — they welcome it.

“You come to A&M because you want to be elite,” Elko told players in a locker room address. “You want that responsibility. You want the pressure. Now let’s earn it.”

Alberts echoed that sentiment during a booster luncheon: “We’re not rebuilding forever. We’re building to compete now and for years to come.”

Culture Shift: Accountability and Identity

Perhaps the most telling change under Elko and Alberts has been in identity. Texas A&M is no longer trying to emulate others — they’re building something unique to Aggieland. Practices are more focused, messaging is more consistent, and athletes are held to high standards.

Accountability is no longer just a buzzword. Miss a meeting? You sit. Don’t hustle in drills? You’re replaced. But along with that discipline comes trust. Elko listens to his players, adapts when needed, and treats them like professionals.

“Coach Elko doesn’t yell just to yell,” one player said. “He teaches. He expects a lot, but he also invests in us.”

That balance — of demand and development — is why players are buying in and why fans are hopeful.