'Waste of brain space': Elko asked about Penn State's vacancy

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Texas A&M football coach Mike Elko bristled on Monday when asked about speculation that he could be a candidate for the same position at Penn State.

The unbeaten Aggies (7-0) are ranked No. 3 in the nation in their second year under Elko, who is a native of New Jersey and attended the University of Pennsylvania.

His success at A&M and background in the Northeast has spurred discussion that he would be a target to replace the recently-fired James Franklin at Penn State.

Elko clearly was annoyed with the question which was asked at his weekly press conference.

“I think it’s absolutely hilarious how you guys (media) cover coaches,” Elko said. “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. Like, it’s just absolutely hilarious. It’s a waste of brain space to spend any time talking or thinking about any of that stupidity.”

Three weeks ago, the Aggies were 4-0 and ranked No. 6 in the nation. It’s highly doubtful that anybody associated with A&M wants him fired.

Indeed, Aggies may be sensitive about the prospects of other programs trying to poach A&M’s successful coaches.

Two years ago, baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle left A&M for Texas just a day after coaching the Aggies in a deciding third game of the Men’s College World Series.

Earlier this year, basketball coach Buzz Williams left A&M for Maryland soon after a loss in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

But no football coach has left for another program since “Mama called” Bear Bryant home to Alabama in 1957.

Elko, who previously was head coach at Duke, did say that the Aggies’ success this season has validated his decision to accept the position at A&M two years ago.

“In terms of validation, in terms of taking the job and coming here, I think that shows up in a lot of different ways. A lot more than just winning football games,” Elko said. “I think the support of the 12th Man, the support of this athletic department, the support of the university for that we’re able to be building from a marketing standpoint, a recruiting standpoint… I think all of the things are validation that this place truly does have the potential that I thought it did when I took the job.

“And so each day that those things continue to elevate and grow, I think that’s the validation part.”

Perhaps insecure Aggies could find some reassurance in those words. Yet, even though he spoke about the hilarity and stupidity of the issue, Elko never said he wouldn’t be interested in the Penn State job.

Will Huffman, TexAgs

Mike Elko is currently 15-5 during his short tenure at Texas A&M

Defensive disgust

Elko was so displeased with A&M’s defensive performance in a 45-42 victory over Arkansas last Saturday that he did not name any defensive players of the game.

Each Monday, he typically honors scout team, special teams, offensive and defensive players who stood out.

Elko felt nobody on the defensive unit qualified after Arkansas accumulated 527 yards of total offense.

“Defensively, there was nobody, which I think just kind of speaks to the game,” Elko said. “Defensively, it just was a very poor game. Didn’t play well. Didn’t play up to our standard. Didn’t do the things you need to do to be successful at all. So, obviously, we’ve got to go back to work to get that fixed.”

Perhaps a silver lining could be found in the defensive letdown. Moving forward, Elko can cite the Arkansas game when preparing the defense for upcoming opponents.

A&M faces LSU this Saturday.

“I feel like this generation sometimes has to get burned on the stove over and over again before they stop putting their hand on it,” Elko said. “That was kind of how I talked to them today. ‘Can we please make the corrections and make the adjustments before we don’t get the silver lining to adjust with?’

“Hopefully, that creates some urgency. Obviously, this game and this opponent (LSU) should create a lot of urgency, but it is certainly concerning.

“It’s concerning that we would (struggle vs. Arkansas) on a Saturday with everything at stake the way it was. Hopefully, that’s a lesson learned.”

Fourth down fuel

A year ago, A&M often struggled when trying to convert on fourth down. The Aggies were 15th in the SEC with a 44.4 percent success rate (8 of 18) on fourth-down conversion attempts.

This season, the Aggies have shown marked improvement. Their success rate has climbed to 66.6 percent (6 of 9), which is tied for sixth in the SEC.

Last week vs. Arkansas, the Aggies were perfect on three fourth-down conversions.

“We certainly had our fourth-and-1 failures down the stretch last year,” Elko said. “You can point to a variety of reasons as to why each of those plays failed, but at the end of the day, the first thing you do is take a look internally at what are we doing? Are we doing the right things?”

Elko said A&M coaches looked at various college and NFL teams which were successful for creative ideas to solve A&M’s fourth-down issues.

“We had a lot of different things we challenged our staff with this offseason, but certainly one of them was to go out and find a way to get better in those situations,” Elko said. “I think for the most part we’ve been able to do that and do it well. Obviously, being 3-for-3 on Saturday was a huge piece on why we won that football game.”

Will Huffman, TexAgs

Texas A&M turned to EJ Smith on fourth-and-1 during the fourth quarter vs. Arkansas. Smith finished with 52 yards on seven carries in Fayetteville.

Stepping up

Running backs Rueben Owens II and EJ Smith and receiver Ashton Bethel-Roman have been used sparingly most of the season.

But all three came through with clutch plays to help left A&M to the victory over Arkansas.

Owens rushed for 69 yards and two touchdowns. Smith gained 52 yards and converted a tough fourth-and-1 at the A&M 34-yard line with 10 minutes to keep a scoring drive going.

Bethel-Roman had four catches for a team-high 83 yards and his first touchdown of the season. He also had a 37-yard reception two plays after Smith’s fourth-down conversion on the drive for the winning points.

Elko said their contributions show the characteristics of a championship team.

“When you talk about a championship program, that’s what it looks like,” Elko said. “It looks like a bunch of guys bought into being ready when it’s time.”

Elko is aware that everyone wants to play more, but he said the key is capitalizing on opportunity.

“There’s going to come a time when the game’s on the line and the ball is going to come to you,” he said. “Your challenge is you have to be ready to make that play because, inevitably, that play might be the difference between us winning and losing. It might be the difference between going to the playoffs or not.

“But here it is fourth-and-1 at Arkansas in our own territory, and (Smith) has got to convert. That’s a championship play. That play and that player will have as much to do with our success as anyone.

“It’s the same thing with Ashton. We need a play on second-and-10. We throw a 50-50 jump ball. He goes up and comes down with it, and that ultimately leads to the touchdown that ultimately is the game-winning score.”

NOTES

• Elko announced the players of the week were quarterback Marcel Reed (offense), guard Chase Bisontis (offensive line) and Bravion Rogers (special teams). Scout team members who were honored were receiver Chase Burton (offense), defensive tackle Lucas Pernas (defense) and running back Tiger Rider Jr. (special teams).

• Elko encouraged fans traveling to Baton Rouge for the A&M-LSU football game on Saturday to also attend the A&M-LSU volleyball game on Friday night.