After James Franklin firing, Penn State will want Elko— but it's not happening

James Franklin has been fired as the head coach of Penn State, and though the Nittany Lions don't play in the same conference as the Aggies, that's still a decision that could end up having a significant effect on Texas A&M football.

That's not even because the Aggies have been battling for any big time recruits with the Nittany Lions recently (though they did have an offensive lineman transfer up to State College last cycle). No, it's because the Aggies have a head coach that, right now, is a guy who would be the envy of a program just like Penn State.

The Nittany Lions got rid of James Franklin thanks to years where he showed that he couldn't win the big game. It happened again this year when they lost to Oregon (and the losses to UCLA and Northwestern just hastened his demise). But Elko has shown he can win that kind of game.

Unluckily for Penn State, but happily for Texas A&M, that simply won't be happening. There's no reason that Mike Elko will be leaving College Station for anywhere right now— no matter how many things line up.

Mike Elko will not be leaving Texas A&M for Penn State, even if Nittany Lions make a run at him

There's already been some talk beginning to circulate about how it makes sense that the Aggies' head coach could be a candidate up in Happy Valley:

There are some convincing things here that occurred to a lot of Aggie fans when this move was announced, but it's clear that Elko wouldn't make a move like this. He's just now gotten things rolling in College Station, and he's really building something special at a spot that he's much more familiar with than Penn State.

Elko's family has spoken as well about how much they love College Station and the Aggie community, so it would take something much more convincing than the Penn State job for Elko to leave.

This is one that, even if we do end up hearing further rumblings connecting Elko and PSU, Aggie fans should rest assured simply won't be happening.