Ross Bjork explains why Mike Elko was best choice for Texas A&M job

Mike Elko was named the newest head coach at Texas A&M over the weekend and was re-introduced to Aggie Nation by AD Ross Bjork on Monday.

Bjork, who joined Elko on the stage during his introductory press conference, revealed why he was the best fit for the job over all other potential candidates.

“It’s really those characteristics that I laid out on the stage earlier. Defensive-minded head coach. Recruiting elite talent, having that mindset coming from the head coach position,” Bjork explained. “I mean, just look in our league, who are the two best programs right now? Who are they led by? And so looking at that formula, understanding that we can recruit at the highest level, understanding that Coach Elko has been a part of top five, top ten recruiting classes here at A&M, and then honestly, he’s got a plan.

“And you can see by his demeanor he’s been equipped for this for a long time. So I remember calling the Duke athletic director two years ago next week, and she wanted to know, is he ready? And I said he’s been ready. If he’s your guy, this is a no-brainer hire. And so the same analysis as we went through our process unfolded here.”

Elko was the eventual hire over the likes of Kentucky‘s Mark Stoops, Kansas‘ Lance Leipold, and UTSA’s Jeff Traylor, among others, were all heavily considered alongside Elko. Stoops was even reportedly set to accept to Aggies’ job before a seemingly last-minute collapse in negotiations. That set Elko up perfectly to swoop in for a triumphant return to College Station.

The new Texas A&M head coach’s contract details have been revealed as well, which will see Elko given a base salary of $7 million — but athletic director Ross Bjork made sure to make the contract incentive-based as he expects his new headman to lead his team to SEC Championships, College Football Playoffs and beyond.

Those incentives range from a $1 million payout for making the CFP to a $3.5 million bonus for winning the whole thing with several other stipulations in between.

For now, however, the Aggies have qualified to be bowl-eligible at 7-5 overall this season. They finished 4-4 in the SEC, which earned them a fourth-place finish in the SEC West. Interim head coach Elijah Johnson will continue to lead the team through the end of the bowl game, where Elko will then take over the program in the aftermath.