College football Week 12 straight-up picks
Before The Snap’s Week 12 picks include Clemson-Louisville, Oklahoma-Alabama, Iowa-USC, Utah-Baylor and Texas-Georgia.
Texas A&M football coach Mike Elko is finalizing a contract extension with the school, according to multiple reports.
The six-year extension also includes a pay increase making him among the top-five highest-paid coaches in college football, according to ESPN.
Elko was previously being paid $7 million annually, according to USA TODAY Sports’ head coaches salaries database. His average annually salary ranked 32nd among head coaches.
Elko, in his second season with the Aggies, has led Texas A&M to a 9-0 start, the school’s best since 1992. Texas A&M is viewed as a lock for a College Football Playoff berth in 2025, barring complete chaos.
Elko was hired away from Duke in 2023 after coaching the Blue Devils for two seasons. He was previously the defensive coordinator at Texas A&M under former head coach Jimbo Fisher from 2018-21.
The 48-year-old coach also served as the defensive coordinator at Notre Dame, Wake Forest, Bowling Green and Hofstra.
Elko was rumored to be a candidate for high-profile coach openings this offseason, specifically at Penn State, as Elko played at Penn.
Elko has a 17-5 record at Texas A&M after the Aggies finished 8-5 in 2024.
