The six-year deal is worth more than $10 million annually, and will make Elko a top-five paid coach in college football. Michael Reaves / Getty Images
Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko is finalizing a new contract with the school, a person briefed on the situation told The Athletic on Saturday, taking himself out of the ever-busy coaching carousel to remain in Aggieland.
The six-year deal is worth more than $10 million annually, up from $7 million per year, and will place him among the five highest-paid coaches in college football. The school is expected to announce the news and more details this weekend.
Elko is 17-5 in two seasons at Texas A&M, including a 9-0 start and No. 3 ranking entering Saturday. A New Jersey native, Elko was considered a potential option for Penn State, but Texas A&M’s success, investment and potential were too much to give up.
Two years ago, Texas A&M leaders were close to finalizing the hire of Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops. But when word leaked, fans expressed displeasure at the prospect, and the sides split. The Aggies then turned to Elko, who was previously the defensive coordinator in College Station from 2018 to 2021, and the results have been overwhelmingly positive.
Elko joins Indiana’s Curt Cignetti, SMU’s Rhett Lashlee and Nebraska’s Matt Rhule as coaches who garnered interest for other jobs but in recent weeks have reached new deals to stay put.
Nov 15, 2025
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