Mike Elko was named 1 of 12 finalists for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year award on Tuesday after leading Texas A&M to an 11-1 regular season and a spot in the upcoming College Football Playoff.
The Aggies almost completed an undefeated regular season, winning their first 11 games. They were awarded the No. 7 seed in the Playoff on Sunday and a matchup with 10th-seeded Miami in College Station on Dec. 20. Elko was a huge reason for all of the Aggies’ success, and he is now 19-6 as Texas A&M coach over his 2 seasons there. He’ll get a chance to add to that win total during a possible postseason run to a national championship.
For now, Mike Elko is being honored individually for all of Texas A&M’s success this year. Being named an Eddie Robinson finalist was his 2nd such honor in as many days, after he was named a finalist for the George Munger Coach of the Year award on Monday.
The Texas A&M football social media account celebrated Elko’s latest finalist honor on Tuesday with this post that carried the headline, “Best in the business.”
Elko will have a chance to prove his Aggies are the best in the business in 2025 over the next month and then some, but right now he’s reaping the rewards of 1 of the best regular seasons in program history.
In 11 days, his team will be back on the field against the Hurricanes, trying to force their way into the Playoff quarterfinals with Elko leading the charge as he has all season.
The Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year award is given annually by the Football Writers Association of America. The award is named for legendary coach Eddie Robinson, the longtime coach at Grambling State University.
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
