Mike Elko has turned around the Texas A&M football program in a major way from the time that he arrived up until now. Fans recall Elko in the announcer’s booth during the 2023 Texas Bowl, looking on at a team that was down to 46 scholarship players taking on Oklahoma State behind a fourth-string quarterback, and marvel at how far the Aggies have come.
Much of it has had to do with his work in the transfer portal, of course— the Aggies have done an excellent job of identifying and bringing in some top talent through the transfer ranks. While Elko has been killing it when it comes to high school recruiting as well, he’s done well to paper over some of the issues that this roster faced after the departure of Jimbo Fisher.
All of this culminated, of course, in the arrival of the Aggies in the College Football Playoff last year. Though Texas A&M failed to advance in the 12-team field, they took the eventual national runners-up to the wire, showing just how far they’ve come in only two years— and now, Mike Elko is getting the props that he is due for that work.
Mike Elko named to preseason Dodd award watchlist for best coach in the country
Award watchlist season is beginning, and Mike Elko has been a beneficiary. The Aggies’ head man has been named as a coach to watch for the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year award, the most prestigious award for a head coach in college football.
Head Coach Mike Elko has been named to the 2026 @thedoddtrophy Preseason Watch List. #GigEm | https://t.co/QM19C7Vh38 pic.twitter.com/kVo7LcMoIG
— Texas A&M Football (@AggieFootball) July 9, 2026
Elko would be a deserving winner of this award if he’s able to bring the Aggies even further than he did last year— however, if the Aggies fail to reach that mark or stay stagnant, you probably won’t hear his name mentioned for this or similar awards very often.
Two points make a line, but it’s hard to think that the Aggies would have as sharp a jump this year as they did from year one to year two; however, with how high they flew in 2025, even incremental improvement will bring them very near the ultimate goal. An SEC championship would go a long way here, as well— and the Aggies have been one game away from playing in Atlanta in both of Mike Elko’s first two years.
There’s a lot of reasons to like Elko’s candidacy for this award, but we need to let the season play out. As of right now, though, the head man for the maroon and white is finally getting some of the respect he so richly deserves— let’s see if he continues to deliver on it.
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