According to reports from the Houston Chronicle, Texas A&M is closing in on securing Duke's Mike Elko as their next football coach. Elko has emerged as the leading candidate after the Aggies moved on from their pursuit of Mark Stoops, who was initially considered their top target before accepting a position with Kentucky.

Mike Elko's name quickly gained favor among the Texas A&M faithful due to his successful tenure as the Aggies' defensive coordinator under former coach Jimbo Fisher. During his time in this role, the team achieved an impressive 34-14 record, including a remarkable 9-1 campaign that culminated in an appearance in the Orange Bowl in 2020.

In 2022, Elko left Texas A&M to take on the head coaching responsibilities at Duke. Even in his first season with the Blue Devils, he led the team to a noteworthy 9-4 record, their best performance since 2014. Despite facing challenges in the quarterback position, Elko's coaching prowess contributed to a solid 7-5 season in 2023.

The impact of Elko's departure from Texas A&M was evident, as the Aggies endured a rough two-year stretch following his exit. The team slogged through a mediocre 12-12 record during this period. The struggles ultimately led to the termination of Jimbo Fisher's tenure as head coach only ten games into his sixth season.

As Texas A&M looks to regroup and revive their football program, the potential addition of Mike Elko as their new coach brings anticipation and hope for a turnaround. With his past success as the Aggies' defensive coordinator and impressive results at Duke, Elko appears to be the right fit to lead the team back to prominence.

The official announcement from Texas A&M regarding the hiring of Mike Elko is expected to come in the near future. Fans and officials alike will be eager to see how the new coach can reshape the team's fortunes and bring back the winning ways that were present during Elko's previous tenure at the school.