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'Two Great Brands': Mike Elko Clarifies Texas A&M 'Flagship' Claim

Earlier this spring, Mike Elko called the Texas A&M Aggies the flagship program in the state of Texas - which obviously ruffled a lot of burnt orange feathers.

Matt Galatzan

Jul 18, 2024; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko speaking at Omni Dallas Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Brett Patzke-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 18, 2024; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko speaking at Omni Dallas Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Brett Patzke-USA TODAY Sports / Brett Patzke-USA TODAY Sports
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DALLAS - So far, Texas A&M Aggies head coach Mike Elko is saying all of the right things.

After taking over the job from Jimbo Fisher at the end of November, Elko has quickly won over the fanbase in Aggieland, in large part due to his no-nonsense attitude, and his obvious understanding of Aggie culture.

Earlier this spring, he took that to another level, seemingly proclaiming Texas A&M as the flagship program in the state, much to the chagrin of Texas Longhorns fans everywhere.

Elko clarified those comments at SEC Media Days on Thursday, pulling back and taking the high road.

Mike Elk
Jul 18, 2024; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko speaking at Omni Dallas Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Brett Patzke-USA TODAY Sports / Brett Patzke-USA TODAY Sports

“I think that statement was made in reference to our role focusing with high school coaches in the state than it was comparing us to any other school in the state,” Elko said. “I just think — and I followed it up after with saying one of. It’s not about — we have two great brands in this state. And the nice thing now is we’re in the same conference and we play each other.

"That stuff will get settled in recruiting battles and on the field."

That said, one thing that Elko is not shying away from is his assertion that Texas A&M can become truly special.

And he maintains that they have everything they need to become the top program in all of college football.

“We believe we have an infrastructure and the resources at Texas A&M to be the premier football program in the country," Elko said. "We’re not the only school that thinks that. I think our focus is trying to become the best version of ourselves. If we do that, success will follow.”

His journey to becoming that program will officially begin on August 31 against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Kyle Field.

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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.

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