Elko gets big raise and 2 year extension

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Texas A&M's Mike Elko to receive increase in salary and extension Earlier this week, the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents met to presumably discuss a raise and extension for head football coach Mike Elko. Billy Liucci is reporting that Elko’s new deal will be for an additional six years at $11.5 million per year. By Richard Zane November 15, 2025 | 10k Views 65 Comments Share Story Earlier this week, the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents met with an interesting agenda item: 7.17 - Authorization for the President to Negotiate and Execute Certain Specified Contracts Involving Consideration of $500,000 or More, Texas A&M Presumably, that’s regarding a raise and extension for head football coach Mike Elko. Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports was first to report that Elko and A&M were finalizing a new contract to make him one of the sport’s top-10 highest-paid coaches. Billy Liucci is reporting that Elko’s new deal will be for an additional six years with an average of $11.5 million per year, and the updated contract will remain incentive-based, including annual extensions for each College Football Playoff appearance. The Fightin’ Texas Aggies are currently enjoying their best football season in over three decades, and at 9-0, the Maroon & White are seemingly a lock to reach the 12-team College Football Playoff for the first time in the program’s history. Additionally, A&M could reach 10-win threshold for the first time since 2012 — something that predecessor Jimbo Fisher never accomplished in six seasons. Elko came to Aggieland in November of 2023 on a six-year deal worth $42 million in total value, and with a base salary of $7 million annually, the Aggie head man ranked as the 32nd-highest paid college football coach entering 2025, behind already-fired Jame Franklin (Penn State) and Billy Napier (Florida). However, Elko’s contract included many postseason incentives: $1 million for a CFP appearance $1.5 million for a CFP Quarterfinals and/or SEC Championship $2 million for a CFP Semifinals appearance $2.5 million for a CFP National Championship Game appearance $3.5 million for a CFP National Championship While this new deal won’t make Elko the highest-paid coach in the sport (a title still held by Georgia’s Kirby Smart at north of $13 million annually), the extension will likely ward off big-time programs that are already searching for a new leader in one of the wildest and earliest coaching carousels in recent memory. And deservedly so. In less than two seasons at A&M, Elko has built a respectable 17-5 record. In 2024, the Aggies got off to a 5-0 start in conference and were playing for a bid in the SEC Championship Game on the final week of the regular season before slumping to an 8-5 finish. Obviously, the Maroon & White are back with a vengeance this fall. Much of Elko’s success is built upon culture and development within the program. Quarterback Marcel Reed, once a scout team signal-caller after signing in the class of 2023, has transformed into a bona fide Heisman contender as a redshirt sophomore. Edge rusher Cashius Howell, a transfer portal addition who spent three seasons at Bowling Green, is playing like an All-American and a potential first-round pick. Of course, there are plenty of other examples on the current roster as well. When it comes to recruiting, the 2026 class — Elko’s first full cycle in Aggieland — currently ranks sixth nationally, and the early returns in 2027 suggest A&M could sign a top-two crop of talent. Between on-field success, a culture of development and a re-energized recruiting fervor, the A&M football program again looks as though it has staying power on the national landscape, which is why the Board of Regents moved to lock down the man responsible.

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