Texas A&M Aggies Football: Defensive End Coach Mike Elko Headed To Notre Dame

Aggies Lose Defensive Coordinator After Impressive Turnaround

Texas A&M Aggies football is losing defensive coordinator Mike Elko to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, the school announced Monday.

Elko's Impact on Aggies Defense

Elko, 45, joined the Aggies in 2018 and quickly turned around a struggling defense. In his first season, the Aggies ranked 101st in total defense, allowing 458.2 yards per game. By 2021, however, they had improved to 13th, allowing just 317.3 yards per game.

Notre Dame's Gain, Aggies' Loss

Elko's departure is a significant loss for the Aggies, who had one of the nation's top defenses in 2021. The Fighting Irish, on the other hand, are getting a proven defensive mind who has a track record of success.

Elko's Replacement

The Aggies have not yet announced Elko's replacement, but several candidates are reportedly under consideration, including:

• Jim Leonhard, former Wisconsin Badgers defensive coordinator
• Marcus Freeman, former Cincinnati Bearcats defensive coordinator
• D.J. Durkin, former Maryland Terrapins head coach

Conclusion

The loss of Mike Elko is a blow to the Aggies, but it is also an opportunity for them to bring in a new defensive coordinator who can continue to build on the success that Elko has established.