New Texas A&M Aggies Coach Mike Elko Plans To Bring 'Quite A Few' Staff Members From Duke
New Texas A&M coach Mike Elko will need to compose a staff ready to contend in a new version of the Southeastern Conference in 2024, and several names could be following him from Durham to College Station.
During an interview on The Paul Finebaum Show, Elko revealed he plans to hire "quite a few" people who worked with him at Duke.
Elko recently informed offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino, receivers coach Dameyune Craig and offensive line coach Steve Addazio they would not be back on staff for the 2024 season.
“There are a lot of guys in Durham that I think fit and are going to make a lot of sense here,” Elko said. “We obviously had a ton of success at that program. We took it to big heights really quick and did things that had not really happened at Duke.
"There are quite a few of those guys who are going to make sense, are elite coaches, elite men, elite relationship-builders and elite recruiters. So those guys, we are going to try to get here.
“And then there are also 24 years in the coaching industry of relationships that you build. You’ve got to make sure you are taking care of the state of Texas and some of those other things that matter.”
According to 247Sports, Elko plans to bring associate director of sports performance/director of football sports performance David Feeley from Durham. Injuries and questions of physical toughness have been a concern over the past two years, primarily on the offensive line and at quarterback.
Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Elko runs out just before the game against Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Wallace Wade Stadium
Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports
Elko, who served as A&M's defensive coordinator under Jimbo Fisher from 2018-21, demanded toughness and a blue-collar mentality for his defense. During his final season in College Station, the Aggies ranked No. 3 nationally in scoring defense.
Even in his absence, A&M's defense has been stable. Last year under new defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin, the Aggies led the nation in pass coverage, holding opponents to 156.2 yards per game. They also ranked 25th in scoring (21.2 points per contest) and 52nd in total yards (365.2 yards per game).
This season, A&M finished 10th in total defense (295 yards per game) and 19th in defending the run (106.7 yards per game). The Aggies also led all Power 5 programs in tackles for loss (102) and ranked third nationally in sacks (42).
During his introductory press conference, Elko said that bringing back interim head coach Elijah Robinson for his staff would be a “priority" moving into December. Robinson, who previously served as the associate head coach/co-defensive coordinator/defensive line coach, will continue to serve as interim head coach through the bowl game.
