Mike Elko contract buyout: How much will Texas A&M pay Duke for signing their coach

Mike Elko has been hired as the new head coach of the Texas A&M Aggies, replacing Jimbo Fisher. Previously, Elko served as the head coach for the Duke Blue Devils from 2022 to 2023, posting a 16-9 record.

This year, he started off the season with a bang, pulling off an upset over the then No. 9 team, the Clemson Tigers.

The hiring of Elko will reportedly be a costly one for the Aggies. On top of the $77 million they have to pay Jimbo Fisher after firing him, they will also have to pay the Durham School around $5 million to get Elko, per Saturday Down South.

Elko's salary details at the Duke Blue Devils are not known yet. However, we do know how much he earned during his previous stint with the Aggies as their defensive coordinator. In his first season, he earned $1.8 million, which was then bumped up to $2.1 million for the following three seasons.

What did Texas A&M say about Elko's hiring?

Director of Athletics Ross Bjork described Elko as a strong leader and top coach.

"Coach Mike Elko is one of the best leaders and coaches in college football and has had high-level success at each stop of his career, he is known amongst coaching circles as one of the best defensive minds in the country and has shown his ability to lead and turn around a program as a Power 5 head coach."

It remains to be seen how the Aggies fare under the leadership of Elko.