Texas A&M hires Mike Elko to replace Jimbo Fisher

Mike Elko, head coach at Duke University and former Texas A&M defensive coordinator, has been named the head football coach at Texas A&M University, as announced Monday by Athletic Director Ross Bjork.

One of the best leaders and coaches in college football has been named the next head football coach at Texas A&M.

Welcome back to Aggieland, @CoachMikeElko!

🔗 » https://t.co/ARPmQHOTX1 | #GigEm pic.twitter.com/x89fVDfnzw

— Texas A&M Football (@AggieFootball) November 27, 2023

“Coach Mike Elko is one of the best leaders and coaches in college football and has had high-level success at each stop of his career,” Bjork said. “He is known amongst coaching circles as one of the best defensive minds in the country and has shown his ability to lead and turn around a program as a Power 5 head coach.”

Elko, who has served as head coach at Duke for the past two seasons, and his Blue Devils have been to back-to-back bowl games.

Mike Elko has arrived in College Station. pic.twitter.com/4KV1Py0Dp8

— Carter Karels (@CarterKarels) November 27, 2023

Elko was the Aggies’ defensive coordinator and safeties coach from 2018-21. Prior to his time at Texas A&M, he was the defensive coordinator at Notre Dame in 2017. Elko also served three seasons (2014-16) as the defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Wake Forest under head coach Dave Clawson. Elko served as the defensive coordinator for head coach Clawson at Bowling Green from 2009-13. He coached linebackers from 2009-11 and then safeties in 2012 and 2013.

This season, Duke finished 7-5. The Blue Devils averaged 27.75 points per game on offense while the defense only allowed 19.75 points per game.

Fisher, who was at A&M for six seasons, was fired after the 51-10 victory over Mississippi State two weeks ago. This season, the Aggies finished with a 7-5 overall record after a 42-30 loss to LSU in the regular-season finale.