According to ESPN, Mike Elko has reached an agreement with Texas A&M to become the next head coach of their football program. An official announcement is expected to be made within the next 24 hours. Elko, who has been the defensive coordinator for Duke for the past two seasons, addressed the potential move with the Duke football team during a meeting on Sunday.

This move comes after Texas A&M fired Jimbo Fisher on November 12th, which is expected to cost the university a record-breaking $76 million for the buyout. Elko is no stranger to Texas A&M, as he previously served as their defensive coordinator from 2018 to 2021 before accepting the head coaching position at Duke in 2022.

During his time at Texas A&M, Elko helped lead the team to a successful season in 2020, where they finished with a record of 9-1 and earned a trip to the Orange Bowl. His defensive expertise played a crucial role in the team's success. At Duke, Elko made a significant impact by turning around the program in his first season. After a disappointing 3-9 record the previous year, Elko led the Blue Devils to a 9-4 record and a bowl game appearance. This was the most wins Duke had recorded since 2014. In the 2023 season, Elko coached Duke to a 7-5 record, with notable wins against No. 9 Clemson and a close game against Notre Dame.

The news of Elko's return to Texas A&M has sparked excitement among Aggies fans, as the team has struggled since his departure in 2021. The Aggies finished this season with a 7-5 record, including a loss to LSU in their final game. With Elko's defensive expertise, Texas A&M hopes to turn their fortunes around and become a relevant team in the competitive SEC once again.

While Duke would love to retain Elko as their head coach and continue the positive trajectory of their program, it is hard to resist the opportunity to lead an SEC football team, especially one with which he is familiar. Elko's previous coaching experience includes stints at Bowling Green, Wake Forest, and Notre Dame.

Texas A&M has been eager to regain their success and make a return to a bowl game since their Orange Bowl victory in 2020. Over the past three seasons, the team has amassed a combined record of 20-16. With Elko at the helm, the Aggies hope to establish themselves as contenders in one of the toughest conferences in college football. The defensive-minded coach will now have the task of assembling a strong coaching staff to support his vision and guide Texas A&M towards future success.