'Awkward Tradition?' New Texas A&M Aggies Coach Mike Elko Defends Midnight Yell

As new Texas A&M Aggies head football coach Mike Elko settles into his new role, he's making the rounds nationally to discuss his vision and how he will lead his program.

As new Texas A&M Aggies head football coach Mike Elko settles into his new role, he's making the rounds nationally to discuss his vision and how he will lead his program. And that includes answering questions from outsiders regarding what some consider to be "weird and awkward" long-standing Aggies traditions.

Just one day after his introduction to the world as the new Texas A&M head coach, Elko appeared on The Pat McAfee Show and had to face a question about the Aggies' "Midnight Yell" tradition. It was suggested that A&M should keep it in-house to avoid embarrassment on social media.

"People outside of it maybe don't understand it, but the spirit of this place is unique," Elko said. "You tell me where else you can get 50,000 fans in the stadium 24 hours before kickoff."

Mike Elko / FanStreamSports.com

The night before every home game, Aggies fans fill Kyle Field for the kind of pep rally. The fans are led by the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band as it marches into the stadium.

Also heard at Midnight Yell is the "Aggie Wary Hymn. Elko already endeared himself to Aggies eveywhere by performing the fight song at his press conference and is embracing his new role. He said it's "a dream opportunity" and looks forward to being a part of a championship-level program.

"As a coach, that's what you want. You want to be supported by a fanbase and resourced in a way that you can go out and win the whole thing," Elko said. "We certainly can do that." 

Elko's contract with the Aggies will be six years, $7 million per year, with up to $3.5 million in additional incentives.

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