Saturday Blitz
Fansided

College Football: 10 assistants who will become head coaches in 2021

By Dante Pryor

NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 28: Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch observers warm ups before the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Red Raiders 55-16. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 28: Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch observers warm ups before the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Red Raiders 55-16. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 11
Next
COLLEGE STATION, TX – OCTOBER 03: Flag girls enter the field before the Texas A&M Aggies played the Mississippi State Bulldogs on October 3, 2015, at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. Aggies won 30 to 17. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images)
COLLEGE STATION, TX – OCTOBER 03: Flag girls enter the field before the Texas A&M Aggies played the Mississippi State Bulldogs on October 3, 2015, at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. Aggies won 30 to 17. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images) /

10. Mike Elko, Texas A&M (DC)

Texas A&M defensive coordinator Mike Elko has worked his way up the ladder since being in the coaching ranks. He cut his teeth at the FCS level at Fordham and Richmond. The coach who gave him his break at the FBS level is also the coach he started with at Fordham: Dave Clawson.

Before heading to Notre Dame, Elko spent a total of 12 years with Clawson. He realized, however, that Wake Forest has a low ceiling and headed to South Bend after three seasons in Winston-Salem.

There is a pretty good chance Elko stays in South Bend if they match what Texas A&M was willing to pay. Notre Dame was not and he came to College Station. The A&M defense was better year one under Elko. They surrendered five fewer points and 60 fewer yards than they did in 2017.

Despite having a murder’s row of a schedule this season, the defense was three points better in 2019. They gave up more than 30 points only three times in 2019 one to LSU. They held Clemson’s vaunted offense to 24 points in the second game of the season.

Other than being one of the better defensive minds in the country, Elko is an outstanding recruiter. He has recruited some of the best defensive backs in the country while a coordinator and understands that recruiting is the lifeblood of a program.

Home/College Football News