Mike Elko shares what he tells recruits to keep them committed to Texas A&M

The Texas A&M Aggies athletic department made a change at head coach of their football program before the end of the 2023 season, parting ways with then-head coach Jimbo Fisher. To replace Fisher, the school brought in former Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Elko to take over their vacant head coaching position.

Elko has had his hands full as he has hit the ground running with his head coaching responsibilities at Texas A&M. One of his more difficult challenges has been maintaining the previous recruits who committed during Fisher’s reign. Recently, the Aggies’ head man revealed how he has been able to convince those potential incoming players to remain committed to the program despite the coaching change.

“The first thing is Texas A&M has been here for a long time,” said Elko. “And part of the reason why you commit to this place is what this university stands for and what it represents, both on and off the field. I think that has stood the test of time throughout coaches.

“Then, from a coaching perspective, we just talk about how we are going to run an elite football program. And we are going to develop young man on and off the field, we’re going to build champions in every aspect of their life, and this is going to be the best football program in the country. I think everybody that walks around here sees the potential. The message that we’ve sent to everybody is that this staff is going to bring the potential to reality, and that’s what we’re here for.”

As Elko pointed out, Texas A&M has had a long, rich history before his hiring. And that history plays a role in high school recruiting. However, his ability to elevate players and get them prepared for the next stage of their life is critical. And if Elko can do that while leading Texas A&M to the top of the SEC, the future will be bright and Aggieland.

Texas A&M interim AD RC Slocum, announces he remains cancer-free

Texas A&M interim athletics director RC Slocum has battled cancer in the past, but he’s been diligent about staying on top of any potential relapses. And on Tuesday, Slocum shared excellent news.

He remains cancer-free, tweeting about a doctor’s visit he had today.

“To all my prayer warrior friends, I spent the day [at MD Anderson] and got an All-Clear report,” Slocum wrote on Twitter. “God is good. Thanks for your prayers. R.R.C”

Slocum was named the program’s interim athletics director on Jan. 22, following the departure of athletics director Ross Bjork for the same position at Ohio State.

He wouldn’t be in position to man that role unless he was healthy, so Tuesday’s news is outstanding for everyone in the Aggie Nation. Slocum recently had to correct errant reports about his health, which suggested his cancer had returned.

As it turns out, those were simply old reports resurfacing.

“There is some confusion about my health,” Slocum wrote on Twitter just after Christmas. “An old report from two years ago has surfaced about my bout with cancer. With the help of prayers from everywhere and the great people at MD Anderson I have been cancer free for going on two years. Next check up 1/30/24.”