Mike Elko Ready For Texas A&M Aggies To Take 'Next Step' As Program

The Texas A&M Aggies ended their 2024 season in disappointment. However, the future is bright.
Dec 27, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Mike Elko reacts against the Southern California Trojans in the second half at Allegiant Stadium.
Dec 27, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Mike Elko reacts against the Southern California Trojans in the second half at Allegiant Stadium. / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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It is no secret that the Texas A&M Aggies' 2024 season ended in a major disappointment.

After starting 7-1 with wins over a top-10 Missouri and LSU teams, the wheels fell off for head coach Mike Elko and company, with the Aggies dropping four of their last five games, including a blown three-score lead to the USC Trojans in the Las Vegas Bowl.

However, despite that harsh end to the year, there is one thing that the Aggies have undoubtedly changed for the better within their program - the culture.

Is that a bit of a cliche excuse to help lessen the blow of a frustrating season? To some programs perhaps. But considering where the Aggies program was from a cultural standpoint before the arrival of Elko, the importance of those changes and what they learned cannot be overstated.

USC Trojans wide receiver Kyle Ford (81) celebrates with tight end Lake McRee (87) after scoring on a 7-yard TD vs. Texas A&M
Dec 27, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; iSouthern California Trojans wide receiver Kyle Ford (81) celebrates with tight end Lake McRee (87) after scoring on a 7-yard touchdown reception against the Texas A&M Aggies at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

"We learned how to become accountable," Elko said. "We learned how to care for each other. We learned how to practice hard. We learned what work ethic looks like. None of those things existed in this program when I got here – not one of them. We had kids on the football team not at the bowl game last year. That is where we were when I took over."

Of course, that doesn't mean the end of the season wasn't frustrating for the program, or for the fans.

To go from controlling your own destiny for a berth in the SEC Championship and the College Football Playoff, to getting dominated by your arch-rival and blowing a big lead in your bowl game is a jarring turn of events.

But changing the culture was just step one for the Aggies. In fact, it is arguably the hardest part.

Texas longhorns edge rusher Ethan Burke (91) stops Texas A&M running back Amari Daniels (5) on fourth and goal
Texas longhorns edge rusher Ethan Burke (91) stops Texas A&M running back Amari Daniels (5) on fourth and goal at the 1-yard line during the Lone Star Showdown at Kyle Field on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 in College Station, Texas. / Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

With that now changed, Elko and the program can now focus on improving the roster and getting better as a football team - from both a fundamental standpoint and a talent standpoint.

"What we did not do was get good enough at football, and that is ultimately my responsibility. We are fundamentally not good enough. We are just not good enough right now," Elko said. "The challenge is, when we get back here in January, everything has to get turned up. We are now where we need to be from a culture standpoint. Now we have to become a good football program. That is the next step that we have to take."

Fortunately, with a talented staff of coaches, a successful recruiting class and an impact transfer haul, the Aggies seem to be on a path to doing just that.


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Matt Galatzan
MATT GALATZAN

Matt Galatzan is the Managing Editor and Publisher of Texas Longhorns On SI and Texas A&M Aggies On SI and a long-time member of the Football Writer’s Association of America. He graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he studied integrated marketing communications, with minors in journalism and business administration. Galatzan started in the sports journalism industry in 2014 covering the Dallas Mavericks and SMU Mustangs with 247Sports. He then moved to Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation network in 2020, eventually being taking over as the Managing Editor and Publisher of the Longhorns and Aggies sites a year later. You can find Galatzan on all major social media channels, including Twitter on @MattGalatzan.