Following a disappointing season for Texas A&M’s defense, the adjustments Elko is reportedly making could be exactly what Aggie fans have been hoping for.
Texas A&M football fans were deeply frustrated with the Aggies’ defensive performance late last season. The struggles were particularly evident on the road in November, as they allowed 31 points to Auburn in regulation and 44 to South Carolina. While limiting Texas to 17 points was a commendable effort, it couldn’t overshadow the defensive lapses in the other matchups.
Following the bowl game against USC, Elko all but guaranteed significant changes on the defensive side of the ball. As a top-tier defensive strategist, it must have been frustrating for him to watch his unit struggle to get crucial stops.
Mike Elko: “I will never let the defense perform like this again.”
As Aggie fans watched and waited, no changes were made to the defensive staff, making it seem like everyone would stay. After such a bold statement in the bowl game press conference, how could Elko remain idle?
The first sign that changes were coming was the recent addition of former JMU defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill as a defensive assistant. I’ve already explained why that was a brilliant move by Elko, but he didn’t stop there.
**Mike Elko Reportedly Taking Charge of Texas A&M’s Defense at Last**
The recent speculation about Jay Bateman’s future in College Station—whether he would stay or join Virginia Tech—seems to have been driven by a move Aggie fans have long anticipated. Rumors suggest that Bateman’s decision was largely influenced by Elko’s choice to take full control of the defense for the upcoming season.
According to TexAgs, Billy Lucci is fairly certain that Mike Elko will handle defensive play-calling next season, regardless of any future coaching hires.
If true, this is exactly the move Aggie fans have been hoping for. Elko is among the best defensive minds in the game—if not the best—and while he initially took a more hands-off, CEO-style approach, it was evident that strategy didn’t work last season. With him now leading the defense, A&M fans can feel confident that their unit will be significantly improved in 2025 and beyond.
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