As Mike Elko continues to build the Texas A&M Aggies football program with his vision for the future, one glaring issue from the past will be a huge hurdle for him to overcome.
Previous coaches have been unable to build consistency within the program which manifested itself in long-term success.
Elko sat down with ESPN's Pete Thamel and discussed his vision for the future and how to build a proper foundation that enables lasting success.
"I think it starts with good people," Elko said. "That's where every foundational program starts, is getting the right people, and so it starts with the right people on this floor of coaching. It starts with the right people in this building from a support staff, analytical role from the people in your strength and the conditioning department, and then you've got to build culture within your locker room.
"I think that's a foundation that a lot of people lose sight of, right? This place has tremendous facility foundation, but within that, you still have to build a foundational core of who your program is going to be about.
Elko was successful in his last go-around in Aggieland, as the defensive coordinator under previous coach Jimbo Fisher from 2018-2022, and his experience then will influence the decisions he makes as head coach now.
"The unique spot that I have sitting here for four years [as defensive coordinator] is I know all of the reasons why this place can win a national championship, and then I probably know some of the reasons why we failed, which I think gives me a unique perspective coming in, Elko continued. "I come in with a lot more knowledge of what Texas A&M is all about.
"That can only help, and I just think we've got to be intelligent about how we go about building this place because it's a place where it has high expectations and you have to win now for sure, but you've got to still focus on building it in a way that allows you to sustain the success that you have for long periods of time.
Working for a fanbase that has a thirst for relevancy and winning, Elko can build the reputation as a legend by getting the Aggies to the promised land in a new-look SEC that now includes former and once-again rival Texas in the fold.
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