The 2024 season also saw the rise of several underappreciated programs that also made it to the playoffs. And CFB insider Josh Pate believes that the Texas A&M Aggies have the potential to emerge as the next superpower in college football.
Josh Pate Gives His Vote of Confidence to the Texas A&M Aggies
The Aggies hired Mike Elko as their new head coach for the 2024 season. In his debut campaign, he led the program to an 8-5 record and a Las Vegas Bowl appearance. The Aggies have not been the best SEC team. Their most recent national championship victory was decades ago, in 1939.
However, Pate believes that under Elko, the Aggies could go on to regain their former glory. He believes that the program’s main problem was that they did not hire the right people for success.
“Is A&M capable of being a powerhouse? I say yes,” Pate said on a recent episode of his eponymous show. “Someone else says, ‘Well, if they’re capable of it, why haven’t they they ever been one?’ And I’ve always said because they haven’t hired right.”
“Jimbo (Fisher) was there. Jimbo wasn’t that guy to take them to that level. Kevin Sumlin wasn’t that guy to take them to that level. Maybe Mike Elko is. Remains to be seen. But my stance has always been clear on them. And that is just because they haven’t been doesn’t mean they can’t be.”
“It’s a great sleeping giant program. The ingredients are there. But I think it will be hard for anyone to sustain an elite run.”
Pate also went on to highlight the positive aspects of the Aggies, which he feels could work in their favor.
“The evaluation part of that program’s really good. I think the developmental part of that program will be really good. I think there will be few other places out there that evaluate and develop talent, as well as Mike Elko and his staff will at Texas A&M.”
Who Was the Texas A&M Aggies Head Coach Before Mike Elko?
Before Elko, the Aggies were led by Fisher. He was hired in 2018 after his success with the Florida State Seminoles, but Fisher could not replicate that success with the Aggies.
During his six-season stint, Fisher compiled a 45-25 record. He led the Aggies to three bowl victories during the first half of his tenure. However, the last two seasons were not kind to Jimbo. During the 2023 season, Fisher led the Aggies to a 7-6 campaign and a Texas Bowl loss.
KEEP READING: Texas A&M 2025 Depth Chart — Can Mike Elko Lift the Aggies in Year 2?
This was the last straw for the program, and they decided to move on from him. His $77.5 million contract buyout is still the largest buyout in college football history. Now, the Aggies will be hoping that Mike Elko can do what Fisher couldn’t: make the Aggies a feared team in the SEC.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, basketball, and more!
