Mike Elko reportedly informs Duke of intentions for 2024 season

Mike Elko informed Duke he intends to remain with the program for the 2024 season, according to a report.

That’s per The Athletic’s Nicole Auerbach, who said Elko was involved in the Michigan State coaching search until last weekend. The Spartans hired Oregon State coach Jonathan Smith on Saturday.

Mike Elko and Jonathan Smith were high on Michigan State’s radar from the start of the search. Elko informed Duke last weekend that he intends to stay, as I reported on @NBCSports yesterday.

Michigan State has been focused on Smith this week — and got it done. https://t.co/Z4AaafuGeC

— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) November 25, 2023

If Elko does indeed remain with Duke for beyond this season, it would be a big win for the program. Elko has quickly turned the Blue Devils’ football program into a consistent winner in just 2 years at the helm.

The Blue Devils won 9 games in 2022. This year, they have a chance to get to 7-5 in the regular season if they defeat Pitt on Saturday. That would be a big accomplishment as Duke has been without starting quarterback Riley Leonard for most of the 2023 campaign due to injury.

There are other head coaching vacancies that could make sense for Elko if he did decide to leave, including Mississippi State and Texas A&M.

Elko signed a contract extension with Duke over the summer. His new deal runs through the 2029 season.