Duke announces Mike Elko as next head coach
Duke has hired Texas A&M defensive coordinator Mike Elko to be its next head coach, the school announced on Friday evening.
He has previous experience in the ACC, including as Wake Forest’s defensive coordinator from 2014-16. Here’s Duke’s announcement:
The wait is over.
We're excited to announce @CoachMikeElko as our new head coach!#GoDuke 🔵😈 pic.twitter.com/aq40snOcqU
— Duke Football (@DukeFOOTBALL) December 11, 2021
Since leaving the Demon Deacons, Elko has been the defensive coordinator at Notre Dame and Texas A&M. He has a good reputation as a solid defensive mind an elite recruiter.
Elko replaces longtime coach David Cutcliffe, who mutually parted ways with the Blue Devils earlier this offseason. Cutcliffe led Duke through arguably its best stretch in program history, reaching 6 bowl games in a 7-year span from 2012-18.
However, Duke hasn’t reached a bowl game since that 2018 season. The Blue Devils went just 1-17 in ACC play over the past two seasons.
With this hire, all ACC jobs are currently filled. Miami (Mario Cristobal), Virginia Tech (Brent Pry) and Virginia (Tony Elliott) hired new coaches this cycle.