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LOOK: Duke head coach Mike Elko wins 2022 ACC Coach of the Year honors

Wade-Peeryby:Wade Peery•12/01/22
Duke HC Mike Elko
Duke head coach Mike Elko. (Andy Mead | ISI Photos | Getty Images)

The Duke Blue Devils enjoyed unprecedented success under new head coach Mike Elko’s first year in Durham. The Blue Devils went 8-4 overall this year, tied for the most wins by a first-year head coach in Duke football history. Not surprisingly, the national media has taken notice of the remarkable job Elko did in his first year. On Thursday afternoon, he was named the 2022 ACC Coach of the Year.

Check out the graphic below.

The Duke Blue Devils have had amazing success this year

The Devils have been carried this season by their dynamic dual-threat quarterback, Riley Leonard. He’s quietly been one of the best players in the conference during the 2022 campaign. The sophomore has completed 63.6% of his passes for 2,794 yards, while tossing 20 touchdowns and just six interceptions. Not surprisingly, Leonard earned honorable mention All-ACC honors. He became the only quarterback in the ACC and only one of four nationally to rack up 10-plus rushing touchdowns and 20-plus passing touchdowns this year. Nine Duke players earned All-ACC honors in the 2022 season, including first team All-ACC offensive tackle selection Graham Barton.

The Blue Devils are coming off a 34-31 win over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Leonard had one of his best games of the year, completing 70.7% of his passes for 394 yards, while tossing in four touchdowns and one interception. Duke had two receivers haul in over 100 receiving yards, Jalon Calhoun (174 yards) and Sahmir Hagans (139 yards).

In earning ACC Coach of the Year honors, Mike Elko joins former Duke greats Bill Murray, Steve Spurrier, and David Cutcliffe as the only Blue Devil head coaches in program history to bring home the honor.

After the Blue Devils finished last in the ACC in turnover margin in 2021, Duke is tied for second nationally in the category this year with +1.17 turnovers per game. The Blue Devils were also one of the most balanced teams in the country in 2022, as they were just one of two ACC schools that averaged more than 184 yards per game rushing and more than 235 yards per game passing.