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In former Duke coach Mike Elko, Texas A&M made a hire that checks three important boxes:
Familiarity with the program. Elko was the defensive coordinator for the school’s best seasons under former coach Jimbo Fisher, including a 9-1 finish during the COVID-abbreviated 2020 season that saw the Aggies come up just short of an appearance in the College Football Playoff.
Power Five experience. Elko won nine games in his debut season at Duke and had this year’s team in the Top 25 before injuries took their toll in the second half. The only other modern-era Duke coach to spend fewer than four years with the program was Steve Spurrier, who led the Blue Devils for three seasons before being hired at Florida.
A defensive focus. Elko’s blue-collar approach stands in contrast to his four immediate predecessors at A&M. Failed hires Dennis Franchione, Mike Sherman, Kevin Sumlin and Jimbo Fisher brought backgrounds on offense to College Station.
Duke coach Mike Elko reacts after an interception against Central Florida during the second half in the 2022 Military Bowl at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
Given the roster in place and the resources at hand, Elko has the chance to perform a similarly quick turnaround and bring the Aggies back into contention in the obscenely deep SEC.
Here’s what the new hire means and what to expect:
A high-floor hire
Elko represents a safe, substance-over-style hire even if he lacks the same name value or national reputation as Oregon’s Dan Lanning, Washington’s Kalen DeBoer or even Kentucky’s Mark Stoops, who seemed on the verge of leaving the Wildcats late on Saturday night before deciding to stay in Lexington.
This isn’t a bad thing: Jimbo Fisher brought a national championship and a Texas-size ego to A&M, and we’re aware of how his inability to adapt and evolve contributed to one of the most…
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Author : USA TODAY Sports
Publish date : 2023-11-28 11:44:12
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