Texas A&M Football Is ‘Elevating’ to Championship Culture, Head Coach Mike Elko Says, Citing Accountability, Leadership, and Program-Wide Transformation

In his most confident and determined remarks yet since taking over in College Station, Texas A&M head football coach Mike Elko declared that the Aggies are no longer chasing excellence—they’re elevating toward it. In a recent media session, Elko spoke candidly about the program’s direction, culture shift, and what it means to build a team capable of winning championships in the nation’s toughest football conference.

“The biggest thing we’re doing is elevating the standard,” Elko said. “We’re not just talking about winning anymore—we’re laying the foundation for a championship culture. That means accountability, leadership, toughness, and a relentless daily effort in everything we do.”

For a program with deep resources, passionate fans, and one of the most fertile recruiting bases in the country, the expectations have always been high. But Elko believes that culture—not talent alone—will define Texas A&M’s rise, and he’s implementing a system designed to foster long-term success rather than short-term flashes.

The Vision: Culture First, Results to Follow

Since returning to College Station as head coach in December 2023—after previously serving as A&M’s defensive coordinator under Jimbo Fisher—Elko has prioritized one central theme: alignment.

“I keep saying it, but it’s true—alignment wins in college football,” Elko emphasized. “You have to have the players, coaches, staff, administration, and support staff pulling in the same direction. That’s how programs win national championships. That’s the model we’re building.”

Elko points to the discipline and structure being implemented both on and off the field. Players are now held to a strict set of expectations around punctuality, academic performance, effort in the weight room, and leadership in the locker room.

Senior linebacker Taurean York, one of the team’s vocal leaders, described the cultural shift as “real and serious,” saying the team has bought into Elko’s message more completely than any regime in recent years.

“Coach Elko’s not here to sugarcoat anything,” York said. “He tells us straight up—if you’re not committed, you won’t be here long. That’s made a difference.”

Player Accountability: The Backbone of Elevation

One of the first things Elko instituted was a new accountability board inside the football facility. Every player is tracked daily—not just in terms of football performance, but classroom attendance, weightlifting effort, nutrition compliance, and leadership evaluations.

Elko calls it “The Standard Board,” and it’s quickly become a defining symbol of the new era.

“You either meet the standard or you don’t,” said offensive lineman Kam Dewberry. “It’s black and white now. You’re held accountable in front of the team. It’s uncomfortable, but it’s what we needed.”

This level of transparency and peer accountability, Elko believes, will separate the Aggies from teams that fold under pressure. It’s about more than winning games—it’s about building winners.

Emphasis on Leadership and Player Ownership

Elko has also launched what he calls the Leadership Council—a hand-picked group of players from each position group responsible for maintaining standards within their units. They meet weekly with Elko to discuss team dynamics, resolve conflicts, and ensure that everyone is rowing in the same direction.

“I want this to be a player-led program,” Elko said. “The best teams I’ve ever been around didn’t need coaches barking at them every practice. The players policed the culture themselves.”

This philosophy is something Elko honed during his successful stint at Duke, where he took a 3-win program and turned it into a 9-win contender almost overnight by building a foundation of trust and self-governance. He’s brought that same model to Texas A&M, hoping that the size and talent in College Station can amplify that culture into something even bigger.

Building a Physically and Mentally Tough Team

In addition to the cultural reset, Elko and his staff have pushed for a more physical, high-effort identity on the field. Practices are now shorter but more intense, with a strong emphasis on situational football, tackling fundamentals, and relentless pursuit of perfection.

New strength and conditioning coach Chad Wilt has revamped the offseason training program with a focus on explosive strength and injury prevention. Players say this is the most physically demanding offseason they’ve endured—but also the most rewarding.

“I feel faster, stronger, and smarter about how I train,” said rising sophomore wide receiver Micah Tease. “Coach Wilt doesn’t just work us out—he teaches us how to take care of our bodies and build habits that last.”

Defensive end Shemar Stewart echoed those sentiments, noting that the team’s conditioning is already ahead of where it was at this point last year.

“We’re not just bigger—we’re tougher mentally,” Stewart said. “We’re learning how to embrace the grind, not run from it.”

Rebuilding Trust With the Fanbase

Elko also understands that building a championship culture isn’t just about the 85 scholarship players on the roster—it’s about reestablishing trust with one of the most passionate fanbases in college football.

Texas A&M fans, long starved for SEC titles and national recognition, are cautiously optimistic. While excitement for Elko’s leadership is building, many still carry the scars of unmet expectations from the Jimbo Fisher era.

“We have the best fans in the country,” Elko said. “But I know we have to earn their belief. That’s why everything we do is about consistency. We’re not promising overnight results—we’re promising to outwork everyone, every day, until the results speak for themselves.”

The program has also launched several new fan engagement initiatives, including behind-the-scenes social media content, open practices, and revamped game day experiences to bring the 12th Man closer to the action.

A More Strategic Recruiting Approach

Recruiting remains critical to the championship equation, and Elko’s staff has embraced a more targeted, relationship-driven approach. Rather than chasing volume or headline-grabbing names, the Aggies are now prioritizing fit, character, and developmental potential.

“We’re going after the right kids—not just the highest-rated ones,” Elko explained. “We want players who value toughness, academics, and culture. That’s how you build a sustainable winner.”

Texas A&M has already secured key 2025 commitments from prospects who cited Elko’s honesty and vision as reasons for choosing the Aggies over traditional powers like Georgia and Alabama. Top-100 linebacker George Wilson recently said, “Coach Elko doesn’t BS you. He tells you the truth. That’s rare, and I respect it.”

Season Outlook: 2025 and Beyond

With the 2025 season rapidly approaching, Elko knows the work is far from done. But he believes the team is on the right trajectory—and that results will follow if the process continues.

“We’re not building a microwave program,” Elko said. “This isn’t about flash. It’s about becoming the most disciplined, toughest, and most connected team in the country.”

Texas A&M opens its season with a marquee non-conference matchup, followed by a brutal SEC slate. But if Elko’s words match the product on the field, the Aggies may finally be on the brink of breaking through in a crowded conference landscape.

For years, Texas A&M has had the ingredients to be great: elite facilities, strong recruiting, and an unmatched fanbase. Now, with Mike Elko at the helm, the focus has shifted from promises to process—from hype to habits.

Whether the Aggies rise to championship contention in Year One or Year Three under Elko remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: there is a new tone in College Station, and it’s one of toughness, purpose, and clarity.

“We’re elevating,” Elko said, with unwavering certainty. “Not hoping. Not waiting. Elevating.”