Mike Elko is expected to be hired at Texas A&M to replace Jimbo Fisher.

Aggies insider Billy Liucci reported that the decision to move on Elko was made late last night with Athletics Director Ross Bjork and the Board in agreement and lock-step. A press conference is expected on Monday.

The former A&M DC is 16-9 in 2 seasons at Duke.

Here are 5 things to know about the new coach, as Aggie fans are familiar with the Gig Em part of his background:

A winning finale

Duke won on Saturday in what was likely Elko’s final game as coach. Duke snapped a two-game skid and beat Pitt 30-19 to secure a second straight winning season Saturday.

Grayson Loftis threw for 248 yards, with 106 of those to Jordan Moore and 71 to Jalon Calhoun. Both those receivers had touchdown receptions as Duke (7-5, 4-4 ACC) went undefeated in the ACC at home for the first time since 1989.

Duke was his first head coaching job

Elko was 44-years-old when he was hired at Duke in December, 2021. He spent the previous 4 seasons as defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Texas A&M, but has also worked as a coordinator at Notre Dame, Wake Forest and Bowling Green in the previous decade. Duke was his first college head-coaching job.

A shift for the Aggies

The Aggies haven’t hired a head coach with a defensive background since RC Slocum, Liucci pointed out. The insider reported that Elko is a lifelong defensive coordinator who understands and embraces modern college offense, as well. A must in the SEC.

Personal background

Elko is a native of South Brunswick, N.J., and he graduated from Penn with a bachelor’s degree in history in 1999. As a safety, he helped the Quakers to the 1998 Ivy League crown.

Elko is married to the former Michelle Madison of Franklinville, N.J., and they are the parents of 3 children Michael, Andrew and Kaitlyn. Michael is a member of the baseball program at the University of Richmond.

His first stint with the Aggies

In his final season, before he was hired at Duke in December 2021, Elko was named a semifinalist for the Broyles Award, the award for the top assistant coach in college football. It was the second time in his career he received that honor after he led the Aggies to the No. 3 national ranking in scoring defense, allowing just 15.92 points per game, as well as the No. 9 pass efficiency defense (112.00) and No. 7 red zone defense (.710).

Texas A&M also ranked 7th in the country by allowing just 4.66 yards per play, tied for 10th in fourth down defense (.353), tied for 12th in total sacks (39.0) and defensive touchdowns (3), 16th in third down defense (.328) and 20th in total defense (327.5).

Here is his full coaching experience:

2022-pres. – Duke (Head Coach)
2018-21 – Texas A&M (Defensive Coordinator/Safeties)
2017 – Notre Dame (Defensive Coordinator)
2014-16 – Wake Forest (Defensive Coordinator/Safeties)
2012-13 – Bowling Green (Defensive Coordinator/Safeties)
2009-11 – Bowling Green (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers)
2008 – Hofstra (Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers)
2007 – Hofstra (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers)
2006 – Hofstra (Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs)
2005 – Richmond (Special Teams/Recruiting Coordinator)
2004 – Richmond (Linebackers/Recruiting Coordinator)
2003 – Fordham (Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers)
2002 – Fordham (Linebackers)
2001 – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs)
2000 – Penn (Defensive Backs)
1999 – Stony Brook (Graduate Assistant/Inside Linebackers)