Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko isn’t one to shy away from tough conversations, and on Monday, he dove headfirst into one of the biggest issues looming over college football: leadership - or the lack thereof.
In a candid interview, Elko made it clear that for college football to thrive in the long run, the sport needs a central figure - a commissioner-type role - to steer the ship. And with the sport now a multi-billion-dollar enterprise, Elko’s words hit with the weight of someone who understands just how high the stakes have become.
“It’s a $1.2 billion industry with not a singular voice in charge and making decisions for the betterment of college football,” Elko said. “Until we get that, I think we’re going to continue to flounder in some of those areas.”
That “floundering” he’s referring to? It’s not hypothetical.
We’re already seeing the cracks. From inconsistent rule enforcement to eligibility questions - like the ones Ole Miss and Tennessee are facing with their starting quarterbacks heading into 2026 - the current decentralized structure of college football is showing strain.
What’s best for the SEC might not align with the needs of the Big Ten or the ACC, and that disconnect is becoming harder to ignore.
Elko’s not just pointing out the problem - he’s calling for a solution. A singular decision-maker. Someone to unify the sport, lay down the rules, and ensure they’re enforced across the board.
“At some point, we’re going to have to have somebody who is capable of making rules regarding the betterment of college football. Enforcement of rules, all of it,” he said. “Until we get that, I think we’re all at risk of this thing not lasting like we want it to last.”
It’s a strong message from a coach who’s not just talking from the sidelines. Elko has skin in the game.
Texas A&M is coming off an 11-0 start to the 2025 season and enters 2026 with serious College Football Playoff aspirations. The Aggies are building something real in College Station, and Elko knows that the sport’s long-term stability - and fairness - will be just as crucial as talent and execution on Saturdays.
In a time when conference realignment, NIL chaos, and eligibility questions are dominating headlines, Elko’s call for leadership isn’t just timely - it’s necessary. College football is evolving fast, and without someone at the helm, the risk isn’t just falling behind. It’s losing the very identity that’s made this sport a cornerstone of American culture.
Elko’s message is simple: if college football wants to keep growing, it needs to grow up - and that starts with putting someone in charge.