It's a day that ends in 'y', so you know Danny Kanell was wrong about something.
The CBS Sports analyst, better known for being the only starting quarterback who didn't play for a national title at Florida State between 1993 and 2000, was critical of Texas A&M giving Mike Elko a contract extension.
These schools never learn.... https://t.co/lWXTn7fJyn
— Danny Kanell (@dannykanell) November 15, 2025
"This might work out great and Mike Elko is there for 10-15-20 years, and he's a Hall of Fame coach," Kanell said. "There's also a scenario where Texas A&M comes up just short...maybe it's a 1st round loss in the playoffs. Next year they struggle and all of a sudden we're looking at a massive buyout for Mike Elko."
Texas A&M will do what it takes to win
What Kanell is saying is understandable. The buyout situation in college football has gotten out of hand, and it's to the point where some programs want to make a change and simply can't because they can't afford to be saddled with $60-60 million in dead money going to a coach to sit at home.
But the only thing worse than that is having a football program that's going nowhere and offers no hope. You can look at Kanell's alma mater for proof of that. The fact is, the people at Texas A&M have put a lot of resources into hiring Mike Elko and giving him what he needs to win. Right now, the returns on that investment look very promising. No one can predict the future, but letting Elko walk away for nothing doesn't make the Texas A&M football program better or get the Aggies any closer to winning a championship and that's the ultimate goal.
The belief in Elko has already paid off. The Aggies are undefeated and almost a lock to make the 12-team CFP bracket. Texas A&M could've folded today after being down 30-3 at halftime to South Carolina like it has in the past, but the Aggies fought back and won. Maybe this is a special season and maybe this is a special coach. For Texas A&M it's worth it to find out.