Mike Elko has built something REAL at Texas A&M! | Always College Football

Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko talks with Greg McElroy about the expectations in College Station, the growth of Marcel Reed, what new offensive coordinator Holmon Wiggins will bring, how the Aggies will handle a brutal SEC schedule and much more. Plus, Elko is just one of a handful of coaches entering year 3 at their respective schools so McElroy ask the questions: what will Cignetti do following up a National Championship, what Kalen DeBoer can do to appease Alabama fans, and watch out for Manny Diaz (Duke) and Jedd Fisch (Washington).

Time Codes:
0:00 Intros
2:20 Mike Elko joins the show
3:00 Mike Elko talks about what he is most proud of heading into year 3
4:05 Is it harder to get “buy-in” on culture in today’s college football world
5:45 How has Elko built his Texas A&M program and been successful in development
8:15 Elko talks Holmon Wiggins and Marcel Reed
11:20 What are we expecting from the OLine & DLine
12:45 When did the tweaks start for the 2026 season
14:25 Texas A&M learned to win on the road last year
16:15 How Elko prepares his team for a brutal SEC schedule
17:45 What does success look like for Elko in year 3
20:50 What does it feel like to walk onto Kyle Field as the head coach
23:40 What is the message Elko wants to give to Aggie fans
26:00 Evaluating coaches entering Year 3
27;25 Curt Cignetti set the standard for this coaching class
28:30 Mike Elko has the arrow pointing up at Texas A&M
28:50 Kalen DeBoer is making progress at Alabama
29:35 Manny Diaz and Duke are not getting talked about enough
30:00 Jedd Fisch made progress in year 2 will it continue in year 3
30:32 Willie Fritz has Houston poised for a breakthrough
31:00 Can Fran Brown, Jeff Lebby & Bill O’Brien take a step in year 3
32:45 Three coaches were fired before making it to year 3 (UCLA, Michigan State
35:00 Is 3 years enough patience for a coach at any program
41:05 Hot Takes for YEAR 3 coaches

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