Duke hires Texas A&M defensive coordinator Mike Elko as head football coach

Duke has hired Texas A&M defensive line coordinator Mike Elko as his next coach, the school announced Friday.

Elko, 44, spent four seasons with Texas A&M after serving as coordinator at Notre Dame, Wake Forest, Bowling Green and Hofstra. He’s been a candidate for several Power 5 head coach opportunities in recent years.

Duke also considers Clemson’s offensive coordinator Tony Elliott, who earlier Friday took the job as head coach at Virginia. Other contenders include former Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett, Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis, army coach Jeff Monken and Dallas Cowboys assistant George Edwards, sources said.

Elko replaces David Cutcliffe, who reached an agreement to separate from Duke on November 28 after 14 years as coach. Cutcliffe guided Duke to 77 wins, six appearances and a 2013 ACC Coastal Division championship.

Duke lost eight straight games to finish 3-9, failing to win a game against the ACC for the first time since 2007. This was the Blues’ third consecutive season.

Elko plays safe at Penn and trains under Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson, working for him at four schools.