Where does Texas A\&M Head Coach Mike Elko rank in USA TODAY’s list of SEC head coaches?

Texas A\&M’s 2025 football season is set to draw national attention as head coach Mike Elko enters his second year at the helm. After finishing his debut season with an 8-5 record, including a discouraging 1-4 stretch to end the year, many Aggie fans were left underwhelmed heading into the offseason.

Despite the late-season collapse, Elko’s first year was respectable overall, earning a solid B or B+ grade when compared to other first-year SEC head coaches. Texas A\&M opened strong at 7-1, but the momentum shifted dramatically after star running back Le’Veon Moss suffered a season-ending injury. Without Moss, the offense lost its rhythm, highlighted by a 4-overtime loss to Auburn. The team’s struggles weren’t limited to offense—defensive lapses, particularly in the secondary, contributed to their decline, including a poor showing against USC in the Las Vegas Bowl.

To address those issues, Elko brought in former Duke assistant Lyle Hemphill—who most recently served as defensive coordinator at James Madison—to help revamp the Aggies’ secondary and linebacker units. This proactive move reflects Elko’s awareness and willingness to correct the team’s core weaknesses.

Still, USA TODAY’s Blake Toppmeyer placed Elko at No. 9 in his 2025 SEC head coach rankings. While Elko showed promise, the late-season struggles and underwhelming passing game weighed heavily in the evaluation. Toppmeyer pointed out that developing a strong SEC-level quarterback remains a major hurdle—a problem that persisted under Jimbo Fisher.

With quarterback Marcel Reed at the center of attention and portal additions like KC Concepcion and Mario Craver, pressure is mounting on Elko and OC Collin Klein to elevate A\&M’s offense and prove they can compete at a higher level.