Under head coach Mike Elko, Texas A&M is currently 7-0 and ranked fourth on PFN’s Football Playoff Meter, with an 87% chance of making the postseason and a 9.06% chance of competing for the National Championship.
Due to the Aggies’ ongoing rise in college football, Elko’s name has been linked to high-profile jobs, such as those at Penn State and Florida. The A&M head coach is a native of South Brunswick, New Jersey, and played safety at Penn.
Mike Elko’s Wife Leaks His Future Plans To Texas A&M Fans
With the Aggies’ head coach constantly popping up in the ongoing coaching carousel, Elko was recently questioned on “The Aggies’ Hour” about which openings he would take. During this interview, the head coach revealed it isn’t even his decision at all.
On The Aggie Football Hour with Mike Elko on Wednesday night, Andrew Monaco jokingly asked Elko “Which one are you taking?” and listed off several coaching openings. Elko gestured to his wife, Michelle, and said to talk to the boss lady about where they might be going. She can be… pic.twitter.com/MvSOCpBNLa
— Robert Behrens (@rcb05) October 23, 2025
“How about the Texas A&M one? Can I keep this one? Anyway, why don’t you go talk to the boss lady over there? Ask her a question about where we might be going.” Elko answered hilariously. His wife could also be heard stating that they “weren’t going anywhere.”
A former University of Richmond baseball player, Elko’s wife, Michelle, met the head coach at Penn State. After the head coach’s decision to take the job at Texas, his wife stayed back with Elko’s younger son and daughter, only moving to Texas this year.
Elko is a former Texas A&M defensive coordinator who left the program two years ago to take the Duke head-coaching job. In November 2023, his return as head coach was announced, taking over for Jimbo Fisher.
Since his return to the Aggies, Elko’s time as a defensive coordinator has been the pillar of the team’s success. This season, Texas A&M ranks 13th nationally with an 86.7 PFSN College Defense Impact score. They concede 23 points per game on average.
Elko was listed as one of two targets for the Nittany Lions’ head coaching position after firing James Franklin. Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule was also a target, according to the report by Fox Sports’ Bruce Feldman.
“I think it’s absolutely hilarious how you guys cover coaches. I think three weeks ago, I was getting fired. Now, I’m getting hired. You don’t want me to stay, but I’m leaving. It’s just absolutely hilarious. It is a waste of brain space to spend any time talking or thinking about any of that stupidity.” The Aggies’ head coach revealed when questioned.
“Which one are you taking, Penn State? Oklahoma State? You taking Florida?” The host questioned commedically, much to Elko’s chagrin. One of the options that emerged was the Florida Gators, who are looking to hire a national title-contending head coach.
After deciding to fire Billy Napier, Florida has also continued its search for its new head coach. Some of the names that have emerged include Lane Kiffin, Eli Drinkwitz, and Franklin, with Elko coming in as a rumor based on speculation more than anything.
After going 8-5 in his first season as Texas A&M’s head coach, Elko has improved the program significantly in just over a year. With a clash against No. 20 LSU this weekend, they could potentially match last year’s win total going into Week 9.
Elko went to Penn. And the Florida job is open, not Florida State (at last not yet).