The Texas A&M head coaching search has taken a million twists and turns but it seems they've landed on a new head coach, and maybe this one will stick.
On Saturday night, the Aggies were reportedly all set to hire Kentucky's Mark Stoops. But fan backlash followed and the deal to get Stoops fell apart late. On Sunday, Texas A&M turned their sights to another perennial basketball power: Duke and head football coach Mike Elko.
According to multiple reports, Elko is the guy at Texas A&M.
After a wild 24 hours, Texas A&M set to hire Mike Elko as next head coach. Decision on A&M's side was made late last night, with conversations with Elko taking place throughout Sunday.
— Billy Liucci (@billyliucci) November 26, 2023
On the surface, Elko isn't exactly in a tier above Stoops, a reported hire that was met with anger from Texas A&M fans. However, Elko has familiarity with the Aggies. He was Jimbo Fisher's defensive coordinator from 2018 to 2021. Duke hired him as their head coach in 2022 and he posted a 9-4 record in his first season. The Blue Devils were 7-5 this year.
Texas A&M fans receive reports of Mike Elko hire with more enthusiasm than Mark Stoops
So how do Aggies fans feel about this one? To say the response has been far more favorable than with Stoops would be an understatement.
TAMU Boosters patiently waiting to see how Twitter/X responds to the hiring Mike Elko pic.twitter.com/5815BojaI2
— Tattoo Baker 🎥✨ (@QB1TATT00) November 26, 2023
We made hiring Mike Elko way more difficult than it needed to be, but I’m glad we did our due diligence.
— Drewtamu (@Drewtamu) November 26, 2023
He offers the best of all worlds:
- Up and Comer
- Power 5 Experience
- Beloved by his players
- Relationships with current players
- Is not Mark Stoops
- Relationship with…
Mark Stoops: A head coach who has overachieved at a perennially bad football program.
— Robert Behrens (@rcb05) November 26, 2023
Elijah Robinson: A coach with years of experience at A&M whose rapport with current players might hold this roster together.
Mike Elko: pic.twitter.com/Zrx638h28w
Very excited about Mike Elko’s return to College Station.
— Ryan Brauninger (@R_Brauninger) November 26, 2023
Outstanding football coach and a great dude. He’ll work his tail off here as the head man.
That doesn't mean everyone in College Station is entirely happy with the hire. There are those out there who aren't convinced the Aggies went big enough, but those voices aren't nearly as loud as they were on Saturday night.
#TexasAM better not try to hire Mike Elko! #GigEm pic.twitter.com/JSzVr4XF1c
— Message Board Geniuses (@BoardGeniuses) November 26, 2023
The enthusiasm for Elko may also be tied to the prospect that assistant coaches like Elijah Robinson could be convinced to remain with the Aggies. Robinson, who served as interim head coach after Fisher was fired, was Elko's defensive line coach from 2018 to 2021.
Of course, it's important to note this isn't totally across the finish line. Considering what happened the last time the Aggies seemed like they'd made a hire, it's best to wait until an official announcement comes before counting all the chickens that Texas A&M hopes will hatch.