ATLANTA (Oct. 28, 2024) - Officials from the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. today announced that Texas A&M head football coach Mike Elko has been selected as The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week Presented by PNC Bank.

The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week award honors a football coach who led his team to a significant victory during the previous week, while also embodying the award's three pillars of scholarship, leadership and integrity.

Elko and the No. 14 Aggies rallied past No. 8 LSU, 38-23 on Saturday night at Kyle Field. Trailing 17-7 at the half, the Aggies scored 31 of their 38 points in the second half thanks to four rushing touchdowns behind quarterback and running back duo Marcel Reed and Le'Veon Moss. The duo racked up a total of 145 yards on the ground and a combined five touchdowns overall on the night. On the opposite side of the ball, defensive back BJ Mayes had a career night by picking off two of the three interceptions the Texas A&M defense forced.

Coach Elko has now posted a 23-10 record in his combined three seasons as a head coach, including a 7-1 start in his first season with Texas A&M. Under Elko, the Aggies are off to their best start in SEC play in program history and have defeated two top-10 opponents at home in the same season for the first time since 1989.

Prior to his time leading the Aggies, Elko spent two seasons as the head coach of Duke University, where he was named the ACC Coach of the Year in 2022. He also previously spent time as a defensive coordinator at Texas A&M under Jimbo Fisher and at Notre Dame under Bryan Kelly.

"Coach Elko has the Aggies hitting on all cylinders with their best start to the season since joining the SEC," said Chairman of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation Jim Terry. "Going undefeated in conference play is a huge feat at this point in the season, so for Coach Elko to pull this off in his first season at the helm is special to see."

Off the football field, Texas A&M players have had success in the classroom, recording a 962 Academic Progress Rate and an 87 Graduation Success Rate. The Graduation Success Rate measures the number of student-athletes who graduate from their school within six years of entering.

"Coach Elko is already making a statement in his first year in the SEC," said Peach Bowl, Inc. CEO and President Gary Stokan. "Taking down two top-10 teams in the last month is an impressive accomplishment. We're looking forward to seeing what other milestones he's able to achieve during his time in College Station."
The Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank – along with the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week Award – celebrates the head coach of a FBS team who enjoys success on the gridiron, while also stressing the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity.

A panel consisting of all previous winners, national media, a member of the Dodd family and a College Football Hall of Fame member will identify the final list of potential recipients at the conclusion of the 2024 season. The winner of the 2024 Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank will be announced in Atlanta during the week of the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.