Elko, 40, was at Notre Dame for just one season after being hired away from Wake Forest. But that single season was enough for him to get on the radar of many prospective suitors, as he did an outstanding job turning around a defense that was a disaster in 2016.

In 2016, the Fighting Irish were 62nd in points allowed (27.8), 117th in sacks, 102nd in tackles for loss and 60th in 3rd down conversions allowed, giving up nearly 40%. During his sole season at South Bend, Elko's defense give up a touchdown less a game while moving to 31st in scoring defense, improved 25 spots in sacks, 44 spots in tackles for loss and were 37th in the nation in 3rd down conversion defense. Notre Dame's defense also forced 20 turnovers, 6 more than they did in 2016.

Before the Fighting Irish dropped their total defense ranking from 62nd to 46th under Elko, he had been one of only two defensive coordinators to have his teams in the top 40 in total defense five years in a row. His performance at Wake Forest in 2016 was highly impressive: his defense was in the top 20 in the FBS in turnovers forced (10th), red zone defense (17th) and fumbles recovered (3rd). They were also 18th in 3rd down conversion defense, 23rd in scoring defense, 11th in sacks and 24th in tackles for loss. Wake was one of four teams to be in the top 25 in turnovers forced, sacks and scoring defense in 2016, with the others being Alabama, Clemson and Washington (all of whom made the College Football Playoff).

A 1999 graduate of Penn, Elko coached at his alma mater and smaller schools including the U.S. Marchant Marine Academy, Hofstra, Richmond and Fordham before taking over as the defensive coordinator at Bowling Green in 2009. During his three seasons at Wake Forest, his defenses were 40th, 32nd and 38th in total defense, respectively.

Elko ran a 4-2-5 defense at Notre Dame last year, but has also been quoted as saying "scheme is irrelevant." He will implement the best scheme for a given opponent.

Elko, who has coached safeties in addition to serving as defensive coordinator at Wake, could serve in the same capacity at A&M. It is likely he retains defensive ends coach Terry Price, but other positions appear to be up in the air at this point.

Elko will have some talent to work with, as the Aggies return starting linebackers Otaro Alaka and Tyrel Dodson, defensive tackles Kingsley Keke and Daylon Mack, safeties Donovan Wilson and Derrick Tucker and leading sack man Landis Durham at defensive end. Still, A&M has failed to meet expectations defensively for the better part of a decade, and it will be up to Elko to pull another quick improvement.

Terms of Elko's new contract have not been formally announced, but sources tell AggieYell.com that the new defensive coordinator will be paid around $1.8 million annually.