Mike Elko is on the verge of becoming one of the five best-paid coaches in American college football, with Texas A&M finalising a substantial new six-year contract worth an estimated $11 million per season.
Historic Season Prompts Contract Rewards
The Aggies have enjoyed a spectacular, undefeated start to the season, winning their first nine games. This remarkable performance has prompted the university to reward their head coach with a significantly upgraded contract, as first reported by ESPN. Sources indicate the team is currently working out the final details with Elko, with a formal announcement expected soon.
This new deal represents a major pay rise for the 48-year-old coach, who currently earns around $7 million annually. His potential new salary would place him firmly among the sport's financial elite.
From Defensive Coordinator to Historic Leader
Elko is in his second season at the helm in Texas, having arrived from Duke where he was named ACC Coach of the Year in 2022. His familiarity with the programme runs deep, as he previously served as the team's defensive coordinator from 2018 to 2021 before securing his first head coach role at Duke.
His return to College Station has been transformative. The Aggies are currently ranked No. 3 in the playoff rankings and are on the cusp of a historic achievement. A victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks this weekend would secure the team its first 10-win season since 2012. The last time Texas A&M started a season 10-0 was back in 1992.
Overcoming Past Demons
This weekend's game carries extra significance, as it offers a chance for redemption. Last season, the Aggies took a seven-game winning streak into South Carolina only to suffer one of their worst performances of the year, a crushing 44-20 loss.
That defeat marked the start of a downward spiral, with the team losing three of its final four games to finish 8-4, spoiling any chance of making the College Football Playoff. Elko's current record with Texas A&M stands at an impressive 17 wins and only 5 losses, demonstrating his profound impact on the programme's fortunes.
