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The Texas A&M Aggies have hired Duke University head coach Mike Elko for the same position, A&M Director of Athletics Ross Bjork announced on the school's official athletics website Monday (November 27).
Elko, 46, had previously worked under his predecessor, Jimbo Fisher, as a defensive coordinator and safeties coach for the Aggies from 2018 to 2021 before being hired as Duke's head coach in 2022.
"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 led the Blue Devils to a 16-9 record during his two seasons with the program, which included a 9-4 (5-3 ACC) finish and being named the 2022 ACC Coach of the Year during his first season. Duke began the 2023 season with a 4-0 record, but went 7-5 (4-4 ACC) after being riddled with injuries.
"Coach Elko has a vision for Aggie football, and a specific plan for innovation and greatness which is exactly what our program needs right now to compete in the modern era of college athletics," Bjork said.
A&M fired Fisher on November 12, hours after the team's 51-10 win against Mississippi State. The Aggies once again fell short of preseason expectations in 2023, going 6-4 prior to the former BCS national champion's firing and finishing the regular season at 7-5 (4-4 SEC).