Texas A&M officially introduced its new head football coach, Mike Elko, during a press conference at the Ford Hall of Champions at Kyle Field on Monday afternoon.
University leadership, boosters, and former coaches and players gathered in the venue to officially welcome back their former defensive coordinator as their new head coach and usher in a new era of Texas A&M football as interim university president Mark A. Welsh and athletic director Ross Bjork introduced the new man in charge after a whirlwind of rumors over the previous 24 hours.
“The best thing about making a cake is what comes out of the oven, and the best thing about this process we went through is that Mike Elko is sitting right there and that the Aggies have a proven, world-class football coach,” Welsh told the crowd. “… On behalf of everyone at Texas A&M University, welcome home and beat the hell out of everybody.”
Bjork followed by thanking interim head coach Elijah Robinson, who will continue to lead the team as it prepares for a bowl game and remain on Elko’s staff, and provided some insight into the coaching search — noting that the Aggies wanted someone who could create a program with an established program identity, a proven track record of player development, “a recruiting machine,” a culture of discipline and accountability, strong leadership skills, and a coach that understands modern football and can capitalize on the “modern era that we’re in.”
“Given all this, we got it right,” Bjork remarked. “Coach Mike Elko is a modern-day and innovative football coach with a blue-collar mentality. That fits perfectly at Texas A&M University.”
Then, it was Elko’s turn to address the crowd.
“I can’t tell you how excited I am to be back at this great institution,” he said as he took the podium. “This place was so special to me the last time I was here. We made so many fond, special memories of this place. I couldn’t be more thankful to be back. To see so many familiar faces in the crowd, it’s just an awesome day for me and my family.”
Elko explained that he wants to take the Texas A&M program to new heights and compete for national championships behind a player-driven program emphasizing relationships with the local community and doing things the right way.
“This place is special. The people that have been through here are special, and we’re going to continue to do special things,” he told the crowd. “…My vision for this program is very simple. We are going to build THE premier program in the country. We’re not going to talk about it anymore; we’re going to be about it. We are going to chase excellence in every aspect of our life.”
Under former head coach Jimbo Fisher, championship aspirations were the expectation, and Elko understands similar pressure will be on him.
“This program and this job comes with a lot of expectations, and I’m ready for them,” he acknowledged. “I’m ready for everything this program should be about. I’m ready to take this program everywhere it wants to go. I cannot wait to roll up my sleeves and get to work.
However, Elko stressed the process could take time, even as he rushes to get his team up to speed.
“We will become the best version of ourself as quickly as possible because the best version of Texas A&M football wins the national championship,” Elko said. “… But we also embrace where we are right now and where we need to work and where we need to improve to get to where we want to go. … There is no elevator. There’s not a button you can push to get to the top of college football. There’s a stair that you climb every day to accomplish what you want to accomplish.”
