May 19, 2026, 4:09 a.m. CT<\/p>\n
After his first Coach’s Night of the season last week at the Dallas A&M Club, Texas A&M<\/a> coach Mike Elko<\/a>, who is entering his third season at the helm, made his second stop of the offseason at the San Antonio A&M Club on Tuesday night, continuing his offseason preview of the 2026 roster that just completed the spring season, and the annuall Maroon & White Game on April 18.<\/p>\n After seeing a record 10 players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, Elko’s premonition from last summer came true, while the Aggies’ first appearance in the College Football Playoff in just his second season at the helm isn’t just impressive but further proves that the program has found its long-term leader.<\/p>\n Already received a lucrative extension at the start of the offseason, Elko<\/a> and his staff have already landed 14 commitments in the Aggies’ No. 1-ranked 2027 recruiting class, which now includes five-star tackle Mark Matthews, who committed to Texas A&M over Miami, Georgia, and LSU last Friday.<\/p>\n While the Aggie alum and donors in the audience are well aware of Elko’s accomplishments, these Coaches Nights also serve as another opportunity to share some “inside baseball” knowledge ahead of the 2026 season and to reflect on several key moments from the Aggies’ historic 11-0 start.<\/p>\n Here is everything Mike Elko had to say during Tuesday’s San Antonio Coaches’ Night.<\/p>\n Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!<\/a>Mike Elko’s dedication since his first day on the job has produced immediate results<\/p>\n “There were two things I said when I was first introduced to you as the head football coach. We were going to roll our sleeves up and work. You saw us scratch the surface this fall.<\/p>\n “Our conversation isn’t about what isn’t going right, but about what these athletes have accomplished in the fall, in the combine, and in the draft.”<\/p>\n Elko on the 12th Man’s steadfast impact<\/p>\n “The energy of the 12th Man started to grow during the South Carolina game, and it became such a special afternoon. That is GRIT. The R stands for relentless effort. It’s putting everything we have into everything we do. It’s not just about football, it’s about life.”<\/p>\n Elko on the Aggies’ impressive GPA and other underrepresented accomplishments<\/p>\n “The energy of the 12th Man started to grow during the South Carolina game, and it became such a special afternoon. That is GRIT. The R stands for relentless effort. It’s putting everything we have into everything we do. It’s not just about football, it’s about life.”<\/p>\n Texas A&M’s NFL Draft success was a long time coming<\/p>\n “In order for us to become the program we wanted to become, there was a staircase to climb. We’re climbing that staircase. 13 players at the NFL combine. We can whoop that one. Ten players drafted since the first time I was born.”<\/p>\n Elko on the ever-changing NIL era<\/p>\n “One of the biggest misconceptions about the NIL era is that things are different. Things have certainly changed. But I’m still a firm believer that relationships matter.”<\/p>\n Elko on Texas A&M’s revamped 2026 roster<\/p>\n “We’ve done a really good job creating this roster for next year with a combo of young players who are hungry to earn roles, and with veteran starters who have experience.”<\/p>\n “Competition elevates the level. W still have a goal to get 10 or 12 guys to get drafted next year. That’s our marker.”<\/p>\n Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed’s game-winning touchdown drive vs. Notre Dame will never cease to amaze Mike Elko and the 12th Man<\/p>\n “To see Marcel drive down towards ‘Touchdown Jesus’ at Notre Dame… yeah that was a special night.”<\/p>\n Elko on new defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill<\/p>\n “Coach Hemphill has a lot of familiarity with us and our system. He played a huge role in what we did last year behind the scenes. I’m excited to see him elevate. I have a ton of confidence we’ll get it right.”<\/p>\n Elko believes that new OC Holmon Wiggins is the right man for the job<\/p>\n “I believe in (coach Wiggins), and I believe in what he’s capable of. He’s played a huge role in our success the past two years.”<\/p>\n Texas A&M’s new defensive line room will face pressure to match last season’s production<\/p>\n “We sat here last year saying we don’t have enough defensive tackles, and all of a sudden, Tyler Onyedim gets drafted, and Cashius Howell wins SEC Defensive Player of the Year. We have talented players in our program who can step up and play.”<\/p>\n Contact\/Follow us\u00a0@AggiesWire<\/a>\u00a0on X\u00a0(formerly Twitter) and like our page on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions.\u00a0Follow Cameron on X:\u00a0@CameronOhnysty<\/a>.<\/p>\n