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Mike Elko laughs off Penn State candidacy, calls out media: 'It's waste of brain space to think about any of that stupidity'

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh13 hours agogriffin_mcveigh
NCAA Football: Las Vegas Bowl-Texas A&M at Southern California
Dec 27, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Mike Elko reacts against the Southern California Trojans in the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Penn State being an open job means big-time head coaches are being asked about their name being linked. Texas A&M‘s Mike Elko has been thrown out there for the Nittany Lions due to his success in College Station and roots in the Northeast. But to put it lightly, Elko does not appear interested.

A question was presented to Elko on Monday about the possibility. He called media coverage of coaching searches “hilarious” and mentioned the volatility of people’s status. Elko then capped the whole thing off by claiming that making the move to Penn State is nowhere in his mind.

“I don’t discuss it with my players,” Elko said. “I think it’s absolutely hilarious how you guys covers coaches. I think three weeks ago, I was getting fired — now, I’m getting hired. Now, you don’t want me to stay but I’m leaving. It’s absolutely hilarious. It is a waste of brain space to spend any time talking or thinking about any of that stupidity.”

Sean Fitz of On3 | Rivals’ Blue White Illustrated posted Penn State’s Hot Board 3.0 on Saturday. Elko’s name is on there, alongside multiple big-time names across the sport. Penn State needs to make a splash after firing James Franklin.

Exactly who gets hired will turn into a top storyline across college football. If Elko does wind up being involved, we will have to wait and see. However, based on his comments on Monday morning, moving on from Texas A&M is far, far from a priority.

More on Mike Elko, current success at Texas A&M

If nothing else, Elko being named a candidate for Penn State speaks to the work being done with Texas A&M. For the second straight season, the Aggies are off to a flying start. Finishing 2025 stronger now becomes the goal, with the aim of competing for an SEC Championship and potentially even the College Football Playoff.

Texas A&M goes on the road for the second time in as many weeks on Saturday. A potential trap game vs. Arkansas saw them earn a passing grade. Now, a Saturday night in Death Valley awaits against an LSU team desperate to get back on the right track.

This comes just a few years after Texas A&M made a big coaching decision of their own, firing Jimbo Fisher for a nice chunk of change. Elko was brought back to the program after previously being the defensive coordinator. He left to be Duke‘s head coach, bringing success from Durham back to the Lone Star State.