Next up today at SEC Media Days is Texas A&M coach Mike Elko, who is in his first season after spending the last two seasons as the HC at Duke. Elko replaces Jimbo Fisher, who recently fleeced TAMU with a $77.6 million buyout after going 46-25 in six seasons...
** Sankey mentions that Elko is an Arsenal fan. Boo this man.
** Elko says he's excited to be in Dallas and sends his condolences to the Kiffin family. Said Monte Kiffin set the standard for defensive football. He goes on to mention some TAMU admins including AD Trev Alberts and the three player he brought, which are all good players and good leaders.
** Elko was the DC/safety coach at TAMU from 2018-21 so has a relationship with many of the veteran players.
** Elko says we're part of a new era of college football. It's been tough to navigate for coaches and admins, but also tough for our student athletes. We must recognize that they're still young people and mental health issues are at an all-time high. We are committed to develop young people at TAMU.
** Elko says it's time for TAMU to stop talking and start getting things done. Has turned over just under 50 percent of the roster. They've come together and bonded. "There has never been a better time to be a Texas A&M Aggie."
QUESTIONS
** On recruiting against Texas and Oklahoma: It hasn't changed with them in SEC. Those brands hold a lot of weight in this state. That's who we recruit against.
** On Texas being in SEC (basically same question): Each kid has to go through their process and decided the best fit for them. The league doesn't necessarily change that. Focus is on identifying kids that can win us a national championship and getting them to TAMU.
** On speeding up process in year one of building his program: You better speed that up in this era of college football. You can't skip steps along the way when it comes to building your culture. Our kids have embraced the challenge over the last 7 months.
** On using AI in program: No, not yet. Have had some of those conversations. Using our analysts and data to form our own style.
** On what is biggest rivalry he's been a part of and what the Texas game will be like: The Duke-UNC rivalry was a fairly big one. Gives you a taste. TAMU-Texas means a lot to our program.
** On the OL: It started with work we put in during offseason. Challenged them to get bigger and stronger. Also, healthier than we've been, which makes a difference. Our ability to keep our QB healthy will be big in our success this year.
** On the WR's: Critical for all our WR's to take the next step this season. Excited about all the guys returning. Got some key additions that will help.
** On Shamar Turner moving inside to DT: That's the position that fits him for the next level. He's going to have a phenomenal year for us this year.
** On what he learned at Duke: You think you know everything it takes to be a HC when your an assistant. You have no idea until you get in that chair. Grateful for every opportunity at Duke. It allowed him to grow as a coach.
** On what he's looking forward to most about coaching at TAMU: Coming out of the tunnel on gameday. He spent his time as an asst in the press box. Going to be a special feeling.
** On opening with Notre Dame: There's a benefit in that you have everyone's attention. We have to be firing on all cylinders for the opener. Sometimes you'd like a game to get the rust off but it will be a level playing field for both of us.
** On being very quiet in the offseason: You earn the right to have success in football. That's what the offseason is about. You have to get up every day and go to work and get better to have success in the fall. That's how I believe programs should be. When it's not football time, we should be working.
** On strength coach Tommy Moffitt: He establishes discipline and culture. Never met him before. Was blown away by how modern he was when we spoke with a guy that's had as much success as he's had. He's into sports science at the highest level.
** On QB Conner Weigman: He just needs to stay focused on day-to-day of becoming a great QB. He's healthy and back after injury in Auburn game. He needs to take the next step. It's his 3rd year in college but he's only played six games.
** On the new 12-team playoff: There were a lot of years in the SEC, I felt like there were more teams that deserved to be in the playoffs. Now, we have more access. It can lead to more SEC semifinals and more SEC championship games.
*****THAT'S ALL*****
** Sankey mentions that Elko is an Arsenal fan. Boo this man.
** Elko says he's excited to be in Dallas and sends his condolences to the Kiffin family. Said Monte Kiffin set the standard for defensive football. He goes on to mention some TAMU admins including AD Trev Alberts and the three player he brought, which are all good players and good leaders.
** Elko was the DC/safety coach at TAMU from 2018-21 so has a relationship with many of the veteran players.
** Elko says we're part of a new era of college football. It's been tough to navigate for coaches and admins, but also tough for our student athletes. We must recognize that they're still young people and mental health issues are at an all-time high. We are committed to develop young people at TAMU.
** Elko says it's time for TAMU to stop talking and start getting things done. Has turned over just under 50 percent of the roster. They've come together and bonded. "There has never been a better time to be a Texas A&M Aggie."
QUESTIONS
** On recruiting against Texas and Oklahoma: It hasn't changed with them in SEC. Those brands hold a lot of weight in this state. That's who we recruit against.
** On Texas being in SEC (basically same question): Each kid has to go through their process and decided the best fit for them. The league doesn't necessarily change that. Focus is on identifying kids that can win us a national championship and getting them to TAMU.
** On speeding up process in year one of building his program: You better speed that up in this era of college football. You can't skip steps along the way when it comes to building your culture. Our kids have embraced the challenge over the last 7 months.
** On using AI in program: No, not yet. Have had some of those conversations. Using our analysts and data to form our own style.
** On what is biggest rivalry he's been a part of and what the Texas game will be like: The Duke-UNC rivalry was a fairly big one. Gives you a taste. TAMU-Texas means a lot to our program.
** On the OL: It started with work we put in during offseason. Challenged them to get bigger and stronger. Also, healthier than we've been, which makes a difference. Our ability to keep our QB healthy will be big in our success this year.
** On the WR's: Critical for all our WR's to take the next step this season. Excited about all the guys returning. Got some key additions that will help.
** On Shamar Turner moving inside to DT: That's the position that fits him for the next level. He's going to have a phenomenal year for us this year.
** On what he learned at Duke: You think you know everything it takes to be a HC when your an assistant. You have no idea until you get in that chair. Grateful for every opportunity at Duke. It allowed him to grow as a coach.
** On what he's looking forward to most about coaching at TAMU: Coming out of the tunnel on gameday. He spent his time as an asst in the press box. Going to be a special feeling.
** On opening with Notre Dame: There's a benefit in that you have everyone's attention. We have to be firing on all cylinders for the opener. Sometimes you'd like a game to get the rust off but it will be a level playing field for both of us.
** On being very quiet in the offseason: You earn the right to have success in football. That's what the offseason is about. You have to get up every day and go to work and get better to have success in the fall. That's how I believe programs should be. When it's not football time, we should be working.
** On strength coach Tommy Moffitt: He establishes discipline and culture. Never met him before. Was blown away by how modern he was when we spoke with a guy that's had as much success as he's had. He's into sports science at the highest level.
** On QB Conner Weigman: He just needs to stay focused on day-to-day of becoming a great QB. He's healthy and back after injury in Auburn game. He needs to take the next step. It's his 3rd year in college but he's only played six games.
** On the new 12-team playoff: There were a lot of years in the SEC, I felt like there were more teams that deserved to be in the playoffs. Now, we have more access. It can lead to more SEC semifinals and more SEC championship games.
*****THAT'S ALL*****
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