Texas A&M’s coach, Mike Elko, has shown true leadership by ensuring his assistant coaches are rewarded, which is a rare move in the world of college football. After an impressive start to the season, with the Aggies achieving a 9-0 record—their best since the 1990s—the university decided to extend Elko’s contract. This extension came right before their historic comeback victory against South Carolina.
A key part of Elko’s new deal was making sure his assistant coaches were also recognized for their hard work. He made sure that they would receive bonuses similar to his own, especially with A&M likely heading to the College Football Playoff.
“It’s absolutely critical. I think one of the biggest things we were able to get done was a bonus structure for the assistants that married something similar to the bonus structure that I had,” Elko explained to reporters. “I thought one of things that was not right was the bonus structure that I was going to receive had we qualified for the playoffs that was not on par with the assistants. Certainly, I’m no more valuable to this team than they are.”
Elko continued, “We were able to get that done and it will go into effect immediately. If this thing continues and we wind up getting rewarded with a playoff berth, those coaches who were a huge part of it will get rewarded at a really similar level. That was really important to me.”
But here’s where it gets controversial: The full details of Elko’s new contract, including the exact impact on his assistants’ deals, haven’t been released. What we do know is that it’s a six-year deal, reportedly worth over $11 million annually.
Elko’s time with the Aggies has been outstanding so far. After an 8-5 season in his first year, the team is now 10-0 and ranked No. 3, with two games left against Samford and No. 10 Texas. They’re on the verge of their first-ever CFP appearance, and Elko is making sure his assistant coaches are fairly rewarded for their contributions.
And this is the part most people miss: Elko’s actions highlight the importance of recognizing the collective effort that leads to success. It’s a testament to his leadership and understanding that a team’s achievements are a result of everyone’s dedication.
What do you think about Elko’s approach? Do you believe it’s essential for coaches to ensure their staff is fairly compensated? Share your thoughts in the comments!