Texas A&M's Mike Elko to receive increase in salary and extension

Earlier this week, the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents met with an interesting agenda item:

7.17 - Authorization for the President to Negotiate and Execute Certain Specified Contracts Involving Consideration of $500,000 or More, Texas A&M

Presumably, that’s regarding a raise and extension for head football coach Mike Elko.

Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports was first to report that Elko and A&M were finalizing a new contract to make him one of the sport’s top-10 highest-paid coaches.

Billy Liucci is reporting that Elko’s new deal will be for an additional six years with an average of $11.5 million per year, and the updated contract will remain incentive-based, including annual extensions for each College Football Playoff appearance.

The Fightin’ Texas Aggies are currently enjoying their best football season in over three decades, and at 9-0, the Maroon & White are seemingly a lock to reach the 12-team College Football Playoff for the first time in the program’s history. Additionally, A&M could reach 10-win threshold for the first time since 2012 — something that predecessor Jimbo Fisher never accomplished in six seasons.

Elko came to Aggieland in November of 2023 on a six-year deal worth $42 million in total value, and with a base salary of $7 million annually, the Aggie head man ranked as the 32nd-highest paid college football coach entering 2025, behind already-fired Jame Franklin (Penn State) and Billy Napier (Florida). However, Elko’s contract included many postseason incentives:

• $1 million for a CFP appearance
• $1.5 million for a CFP Quarterfinals and/or SEC Championship
• $2 million for a CFP Semifinals appearance
• $2.5 million for a CFP National Championship Game appearance
• $3.5 million for a CFP National Championship

While this new deal won’t make Elko the highest-paid coach in the sport (a title still held by Georgia’s Kirby Smart at north of $13 million annually), the extension will likely ward off big-time programs that are already searching for a new leader in one of the wildest and earliest coaching carousels in recent memory.

And deservedly so.

In less than two seasons at A&M, Elko has built a respectable 17-5 record. In 2024, the Aggies got off to a 5-0 start in conference and were playing for a bid in the SEC Championship Game on the final week of the regular season before slumping to an 8-5 finish.

Obviously, the Maroon & White are back with a vengeance this fall.

Much of Elko’s success is built upon culture and development within the program. Quarterback Marcel Reed, once a scout team signal-caller after signing in the class of 2023, has transformed into a bona fide Heisman contender as a redshirt sophomore. Edge rusher Cashius Howell, a transfer portal addition who spent three seasons at Bowling Green, is playing like an All-American and a potential first-round pick. Of course, there are plenty of other examples on the current roster as well.

When it comes to recruiting, the 2026 class — Elko’s first full cycle in Aggieland — currently ranks sixth nationally, and the early returns in 2027 suggest A&M could sign a top-two crop of talent.

Between on-field success, a culture of development and a re-energized recruiting fervor, the A&M football program again looks as though it has staying power on the national landscape, which is why the Board of Regents moved to lock down the man responsible.

TexAgs will provide more information regarding adjustments to Elko’s contract as it becomes available.