As the 2025 college football season approaches, Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko is setting a clear and determined tone for the Aggies’ future: toughness, discipline, and competitive excellence. Following a transition season that showed glimpses of promise but also exposed key weaknesses, Elko is making it his mission to rebuild the program from the inside out — beginning with a total overhaul of team culture and performance standards.
“We want a team that embodies toughness, leadership, and smart football,” Elko said during a spring press conference. “Everything we do — from workouts to meetings to gameday — has to reflect a championship mindset. That’s the only way we’ll be able to compete at the highest level consistently.”
A major emphasis for Elko this offseason is improving the leadership structure within the locker room. Rather than relying solely on coaches for accountability, Elko is pushing for player-driven leadership. Veteran players are being asked to take greater ownership of the team’s day-to-day standards, holding teammates accountable both on and off the field. The goal is to create a self-policing environment where excellence is the expectation, not the exception.
In addition to cultural changes, Elko is focused heavily on smarter in-game execution. Throughout the 2024 season, Texas A&M showed moments of brilliance but often faltered due to penalties, blown assignments, and inconsistent play in critical moments. Elko and his staff have spent much of the offseason drilling situational football — emphasizing red zone efficiency, third-down conversions, and late-game clock management.
“We’re not just working on playing harder — we’re working on playing smarter,” Elko explained. “It’s about attention to detail, about understanding the game inside and out. Championships aren’t won just with talent; they’re won with execution.”
The Aggies’ roster for 2025 reflects Elko’s blueprint. A physical, veteran offensive line is expected to anchor the team, while dynamic weapons return at the skill positions, including star running back Le’Veon Moss, who announced his return from injury. Defensively, the focus is on a revamped secondary and a more aggressive front seven capable of putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Recruiting has also played a major role in Elko’s strategy. His first full recruiting class at Texas A&M ranked among the best in the SEC, with a strong mix of trench players, versatile defenders, and playmaking wide receivers. The transfer portal has been used strategically, bringing in experienced players at key positions without disrupting the chemistry of the team.
However, Elko knows that 2025 won’t be easy. With the SEC expanding to include Texas and Oklahoma, the conference schedule will be more brutal than ever. Every game will present a battle against elite programs, making consistency and mental toughness more important than ever before.
“This is not a one-year project,” Elko said. “This is about building a sustainable, tough, smart football team that can compete year after year, no matter who we’re facing.”
With a clear vision, stronger internal leadership, and a focus on disciplined execution, Mike Elko and the Aggies are poised to embark on what they hope will be the beginning of a new era in College Station.
