COLLEGE STATION -- Mike Elko is still looking to hire a defensive coordinator for Texas A&M heading into the 2024 season.
As for offensive coordinator, the first-year Aggie coach believes he has the right man.
During his Early Signing Period press conference on Wednesday at Kyle Field media center, Elko spoke highly of new OC Collin Klein and why the former Kansas State quarterback-turned-coordinator was the right man for the job. According to Elko, Klein was one of eight candidates considered for the position before being offered the position.
“He is extremely bright,” Elko said. “The way he can teach our young men how to execute on offense took me really quick. I think the diversity in how he attacks people – if you watch his offense from this year versus last year, it is completely different based on his personnel and what they emphasize. It is obviously not a completely different scheme, but it is completely different in terms of how they are emphasizing different players."
Klein, who finished third in the 2012 Heisman Trophy voting behind former A&M sensation Johnny Manziel, comes to College Station after spending the better half of a decade in Manhattan. Promoted to offensive coordinator last season by Chris Klieman, Klein was potent in helping with the development of quarterbacks Will Howard and Collin Johnson.
The Wildcats finished 10th in scoring (37.8 points per game) and 22nd in total yards (446.1 yards per game) last season en route to an 8-4 finish. Last season, Klein's development of Howard paved the way to K-State's first sole Big 12 title since 2003.
“I like how he mixes up-tempos. I like how he mixes up personnel," Elko said. "And then he is a great person. That is the final piece of this, making sure that we had great people into this building.”
Klein will now be tasked with picking up where Bobby Petrino left off. Initial 2023 starter Conner Weigman is expected to return for next season, as will current starter Jaylen Henderson. A&M also has 2023 quarterback recruit Marcel Reed on campus and recently secured the commitment of four-star passer Miles O'Neill.
On the defensive side, Elko seems close to naming his new play-caller in place of DJ Durkin, who will remain on staff through A&M's final game against No. 20 Oklahoma State in the TaxAct Texas Bowl on Dec. 27. The first-year coach said the hire will “come to light” within the next 24-48 hours.
The candidates remain a mystery, but Elko intends to name the defensive coordinator his linebackers coach. Former A&M linebackers coach Tyler Santucci served as Elko's defensive coordinator at Duke, though it is unclear if he's in the running to return to College Station for the same role.
In terms of formation, the defense will emulate Elko's old-school play-calling back when he served as the Aggies' defensive coordinator from 2018-2021. In his final season as the DC, Elko's unit ranked third nationally in scoring defense, holding opponents to less than 16 points per contest.
“Everybody has a pretty good pulse and feel for what that looks like," said Elko. "I do not think there has been any problem in terms of selling the defense.”
The Aggies secured 12 commitments during the first day of the NCAA's three-day signing period, including four-star defensive lineman Solomon Williams, four-star safety Myles Davis, three-star defensive lineman Kendall Jackson, and three-star linebacker Jordan Lockhart.
More must-reads: