Mike Elko says empty trophy case keeps Texas A&M players motivated
By David Wasson
Published:
Motivation in sports comes in many forms. In Texas A&M coach Mike Elko’s case, he hopes his Aggies are motivated for the upcoming 2026 college football season by the sight of a stark reality.
An empty trophy case.
Elko was asked about motivation Wednesday during Day 3 of SEC Media Days in Tampa, to which he offered a blunt answer as to his primary weapon to combat any feeling of player satisfaction.
“I show them our trophy case, and it’s empty,” Elko said.
Texas A&M has won plenty of games during Elko’s tenure in College Station – 19 of 26 games, in fact, over two seasons – but has no actual hardware to go with it. That is a spot Elko looks to rectify heading into his third season at the helm of a program that did earn a College Football Playoff berth in 2025 but hasn’t laid hands on an SEC championship since joining the league in 2012.
The Aggies are still left wanting for a CFP victory, too, having lost to visiting Miami 10-3 in the first round last season. That loss, coupled with a season-ending loss to Texas that knocked Texas A&M out of the conference title picture, is one Elko remains fresh on his players’ minds as well.
Texas A&M opens the 2026 season at home Sept. 5 against Missouri State (7 pm ET, ESPN) and opens conference play Sept. 19 at home against Kentucky (3:30 pm ET).
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
