Everything Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko said during Coach's Night in San Antonio
Elko's appearance at Coach's Night marked the first time behind the podium for the second-year head coach since the Southeastern Conference's media days last week. The Aggies are set to kick off the 2025 campaign against UTSA on Saturday, Aug. 30, at Kyle Field. With a new season of college football in Bryan-College Station, Texas, set to begin in just 39 days, "talking season" is nearing the end. When it comes to football in the SEC, the talking never stops, however.
Heading into his second season leading the Aggies, that testament is something Elko has come to learn. As he continues to travel around the state to speak in front of Texas A&M alumni, the spirit and passion from the Aggie faithful are unlike anything Elko has ever seen.
Here is everything Elko had to say at Coach's Night in front of the San Antonio A&M Club on Monday, according to TexAgs:
Elko credits passionate display from A&M alumni
"I want to say thank you to you all. Every time I go to these Coach's Nights, I'm blown away by the Aggie Spirit. I've been at a lot of universities, and there is nothing like this."
Elko praises support from fans at Kyle Field
"Last year we averaged over 102,000 people at our home games. We were 101% filled in Kyle Field. That number is larger than any other SEC stadium. We have support at an unbelivable level, and now we'll build the program to match it."
Elko talks team's willingness to serve community
"We've become extremely active in the Bryan-College Station area to give back with the Big Event and with schools. That's really important for young people to give back to keep them grounded, humble and away from entitlement."
Elko expresses excitement about Aggie retention
"Look at who goes in and who goes out of a program. We've been able to keep so many key players. We were able to retain about 99% of the players we wanted to return to our program, so we're really excited about that."
Elko speaks on Marcel Reed's freshman season
"Now he understands what it's like to be QB1 in the SEC. What he had to go through last year is not how you'd write the script for a first-time starter bring in and out. What gets lost is the growth he had last year."
Elko on Aggie RB room
"We returned all of our ball-carriers. Le'Veon Moss will be ready to go. We're excited to have Rueben Owens back. We're glad we got Amari Daniels back. E.J. Smith dealt with a lot of injuries last year, but he's healthy now."
Elko excited about offensive line return
"It's great to bring back all seven of our top offensive linemen. The last time we were this old at this position, we ended our season playing in the Orange Bowl. It's a really strong starting point to have a group like that."
Elko talks WR reform
"We had to reform the wide receiver position. Kevin Concepcion has been everything we hoped he could be. He's elevated the level of the entire wide receiver room. Mario Craver continues to develop. We're excited about the development of Ashton Bethel-Roman and Terry Bussey."
Elko's defensive standard at A&M
"It is not lost on me the standard we have for defense at Texas A&M. Getting Will Lee III back to anchor the corner position was huge. We believe we've elevated the safety position. Taurean York is the rock of that defense."
Elko on filling gaps from departing players
"We have had more NFL Draft picks on the defensive line since I got here in 2018 than any other team in the SEC. We're comfortable replacing great players. DJ Hicks, Albert Regis, Rylan Kennedy and Cashius Howell will step up."
Elko talks program's future
"We have 15 starters back. We have all of our specialists back. We're excited about where this program is going. We have to build a program you are all proud of. Let's be proud of who we are and where we're going."
Elko dismisses Bussey playing both ways
"He will not. His story has to start at wide receiver. That's not to take away of what he can do or that he won't ever be a two-way player, but we need him to impact the game on offense."
Elko says Shemar Stewart will not return
"Absolutely not. Some people live in this fairytale land of social media where you can create false narratives. I see him every day in our weight room, but he's a Cincinnati Bengal."
Elko describes the most difficult challenge in football
"The biggest puzzle of modern college football is maintaining chemistry and culture in an era where money has become involved in it. Who you bring into your program is crticial. We have to be intentional about how we bring this team together."
Elko praises Regis
"It's really exciting to have a player as talented as Albert Regis. He's a grown man. He's a great leader and a phenomenal player. Anchors like that matter."
Elko on putting more players in the NFL
"We have to have more NFL players across the board. If you look at teams that win the SEC, they're getting 20 players drafted over a two-year period. We will comfortably have 10 kids get their name called at the end of this season."
Elko stresses importance of protecting Reed
"I'm going to knock on wood one more time. Obviously that's something that has to change. It's not lost on us that keeping our quarterback protected and healthy is a critical piece of our success."
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