Texas A&M and coach Mike Elko are finalizing a contract extension that will make him one of the 10 highest-paid coaches in the world. college football, Matt Zenitz confirms. The deal is expected to be announced today, with Edgey hosting the No. 3 show. South Carolina in College Station. The contract extension will solidify Elko's long-term role at Texas A&M amid the turbulence of the coaching carousel.
Since arriving in College Station, Elko has posted a 17-5 overall record, quickly catapulting the Aggies into national contender status. Texas A&M is off to a 9-0 start and is ranked third in the College Football Playoff rankings, putting the program on the brink of its first CFP appearance and an appearance at the SEC Championship. The new deal comes as Elko's popularity soars, making the timing a strategic move for Texas A&M to keep contenders from entering the market, e.g. Penn Stateprogram is considered a natural fit due to Elko's long-standing ties to the Northeast.
Elko makes about $7 million per year on an incentive-based contract, which ranked him just 32nd among FBS head coaches. However, the new agreement is expected to include a significant increase in guaranteed compensation. according to Yahoo Sportswhich propelled him into the top tier of coaching salaries across the country.
The commitment reflects both Texas A&M's belief in Elko's long-term vision and the bigger picture of this coaching cycle, where few established candidates were available for important vacancies. Retaining Elko not only stabilizes the program, but also provides continuity as the Aggies appear to be heading toward their most promising season in decades.
Elko has quickly transformed Texas A&M into a physical team that reflects the defensive identity he developed during previous stops at Duke and during his previous tenure as the Aggies' defensive coordinator. With recruiting momentum restored and national relevance restored, the Aggies aim to ensure Elko remains the face of the program beyond 2025.
