Over the past year, it’s been clear that the culture surrounding Texas A&M football has undergone a major shift. Toward the end of Jimbo Fisher’s time as head coach, the atmosphere in the locker room reportedly grew toxic. But under new head coach Mike Elko, the overall tone and energy have noticeably improved.
This positive transformation comes after a period of instability, which included allegations that some players were trying to exploit the NIL system, fueled by exaggerated rumors about A&M’s spending spree during the 2022 recruiting cycle.
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With NIL issues currently making headlines—particularly after the situation involving Tennessee’s Nico Iamaleava—a reporter recently asked Elko about potential NIL holdouts. Elko laughed off the suggestion, making it clear that such problems don’t exist within the Aggies’ current structure.
He struck a balanced tone, supporting the idea of player empowerment while also acknowledging that the current NIL landscape is unsustainable in the long run. As college football heads into a new era of revenue sharing, changes—both good and bad—are inevitable. Hopefully, future adjustments will prevent messy situations like Iamaleava’s from happening again.
Elko’s response sent a strong message: the kind of NIL drama seen elsewhere won’t be part of the culture he’s building at Texas A&M. The team’s current level of unity and commitment is a major asset, and it’s clear that Elko is the steady leader the program needs right now.
