Skip to main content
Join Now
Team Avatar
Texas A&M

Mike Elko describes his relationship with Brian Kelly after being the final team to beat him before firing

Stephen Samraby: Steve Samra6 hours agoSamraSource
Kelly, Elko
(Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images)

Brian Kelly’s time at LSU came to an end following a loss to Texas A&M. It was a defeat delivered by his former assistant, Mike Elko.

In the aftermath, Elko reflected on his relationship with Kelly. He’s the man who once gave him a major coaching opportunity, so it was a bittersweet ending to be a part of for the Aggies leader.

“Obviously I have a ton of respect for Brian,” Elko said via Bussin’ With The Boys. “Brian’s the guy that gave me my first opportunity to kind of get on the big stage at Notre Dame, and at that point, I was a defensive coordinator at Wake Forest. He was really the first guy to give me that chance.”

As Elko alluded to, he served as Kelly’s defensive coordinator in 2017, helping Notre Dame field an improved defenses that season. That one year under Kelly was pivotal for Elko’s career trajectory, launching him to Texas A&M under Jimbo Fisher and ultimately back in College Station as head coach.

“So, I have a ton of respect for him,” Elko continued. “We’ve got a great professional relationship, a lot of mutual respect for each other. You never want to see that for anybody. You certainly don’t want to see that to a guy who has helped you in your career at some point, and a guy that you respect.”

Continuing, Elko’s comments went beyond personal reflection and his relationship with Kelly. He also used the moment to highlight how volatile the coaching profession has become, particularly in the modern college football landscape.

“I think it’s a lot of things,” he said. “I think, one, I appreciate him and appreciate everything he did for me and my family. But also, it’s probably a quick notice to where this profession is. I saw this the other day, I think three of the top 15 teams in the preseason AP poll have already fired their coach at Week 8.

“So, this is a week-to-week business more now than it’s ever been. You’ve got to keep your head down. You’ve got to keep growing.”

For Elko, Saturday’s win was just another game, but it came with some heavy irony. The coach who once helped him reach the next level became the latest casualty in a sport where patience is fading faster than ever. As long as Texas A&M keeps winning though, he’ll be alright.