Mike Elko and Texas A&M have added another statement win with a thrilling 41-40 win over Notre Dame in South Bend. In his second season at the helm, Elko has the Aggies at 3-0 and ranked tenth in the nation.
In his fourth season as a head coach, and his second in College Station, Elko is doing what he’s always done: win. Now, he can add two new trophies to his resume that boasts a .659 win percentage.
The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week
It was announced earlier today that Coach Elko was named the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week thanks to the big win against the Fighting Irish. The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Year is awarded at the end of the season to a coach who is emblematic of their three pillars: scholarship, leadership and integrity.
Texas A&M Head Coach Mike Elko is our Week 3 Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week!
Coach Elko led his No. 16 Aggies to a thrilling 41-40 victory over the No. 8 Fighting Irish on Saturday in South Bend.
Congrats Coach!
🔗: https://t.co/uwzvIJTiCW#DoddTrophy | presented by @PNCBank pic.twitter.com/cPocBYlZeL
— The Dodd Trophy (@thedoddtrophy) September 16, 2025
Elko was listed as a pre-season coach to watch by the award, and given today’s honor, he should remain on the list of favorites.
College Football’s most coveted coaching award.
The 2025 Dodd Trophy Preseason Watchlist is here 👏🏆
Read more >> https://t.co/DSxNy18gjr#DoddTrophy | presented by @pncbank pic.twitter.com/Yxx1uAkwdz
— The Dodd Trophy (@thedoddtrophy) July 7, 2025
Bear Bryant National Coach of the Week
The accolades continued to roll in this week as Elko was also named the Bear Bryant National Coach of the Week, validating the positive feelings coming from College Station. It’s not shocking to see the national attention Elko’s getting, given that this is Texas A&M’s first road win against a top-25 team since 2014.
Leadership starts at the top.
Head Coach Mike Elko has been named The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week & Bear Bryant National Coach of the Week. pic.twitter.com/g63MdgRApd
— Texas A&M Football (@AggieFootball) September 16, 2025
Is Mike Elko Off to the Best Start of Any Texas A&M Coach?
Since taking over the Aggies, Elko is 11-5 and looks to be off to an even better year two. That winning record is even more impressive when you factor in that no other A&M coach has ever faced five top-25 teams in their first 16 games before.
Mike Elko is the first Texas A&M head coach to have faced 5 AP top 10 teams through his first 16 games leading the Aggies.
He also has more wins against the AP top 10 through his first 16 games than any prior A&M head coach. pic.twitter.com/eqPCbuql27
— Matt (@MattMMXI) September 16, 2025
He’s 3-2 in those five games, and now has a massive road win on that list. The Aggies are off this week, but Elko will have another chance to make a statement when his team returns to action on Sept. 27th when they host #22 Auburn. It’s only three weeks into the season, but Elko and Co. have their eyes on the college football playoffs in 2025.