Top 10 Coaches: Sarkisian and Elko Make the Cut
ESPN’s latest coach rankings have placed Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian and Texas A&M Aggies leader Mike Elko inside the top ten, a testament to the rapid resurgence of both programs.
Sarkisian, now in his second season back at Texas, has guided the Longhorns to a 10‑win campaign and a College Football Playoff berth, rekindling hopes of a national championship that have been absent for decades.
Elko’s Defensive Mastery Fuels Aggies’ Ascent
Mike Elko’s reputation as a defensive architect has followed him from Wake Forest to Notre Dame, Duke and now College Station, where his schemes have helped the Aggies string together consecutive winning seasons and a playoff appearance last year.
Entering his third year, Elko is tasked with turning that early success into a sustained presence in the playoff picture, a challenge he embraces as the team prepares for a demanding schedule.
Both programs open their 2025 campaigns on September 5, with Texas facing Texas State and the Aggies taking on Missouri State, before a gauntlet of SEC and Big Ten opponents that could shape their playoff destiny.
The rankings also spotlight other notable names, including Arch Manning, who continues to draw attention as a key recruit for Texas, and veteran analysts Andrea Adelson and David Hale, whose insights help frame the narrative around these coaching storylines.
As the season unfolds, the performances of Sarkisian and Elko will be measured not only by win totals but by the ability to translate early momentum into lasting excellence on the national stage.