Introducing Mike Elko
You know, in the past years I always thought our coordinators were higher profile than they are today. Despite having a top flight defense (to date, best in the MAC, #8 in total defense in FBS and #11 in scoring defense), I don't think most people could name our defensive coordinator.
His name is Mike Elko. That is his picture. Just for the record, that flip chart is attached to him somehow. He is not--REPEAT NOT--levitating it. OK?
Elko came here with Coach Clawson. Initially, he was the co-defensive coordinator with Joe Trainer who left before he even started to go to Rhode Island as the Head Coach. In fact, Elko came to BG shortly after agreeing to be the DC at Tennessee-Chattanooga (Suck on that, Moccasins).
Like most of our coaches, Elko comes from one of those Eastern "Football Players Do Their Own Homework" schools, in this case, Penn, which is in the Ivy League.
He coached with Coach Clawson's staff at Fordham and Richmond, though not as coordinator. Both of these teams did have highly ranked defenses.
Then, he went to Hofstra, where he was the DC...and they had some nice results. Here is a part of his BGSU bio:
Prior to joining the Falcons, Elko coached the No. 1 passing defense in the Colonial Athletic Association with Hofstra, holding teams to just 136.8 yards per game through the air.
Hofstra’s defense ranked first in the CAA and 11th in the FCS in rushing defense, second in the conference and 15th in the country in total defense, and fourth in the CAA and 37th in the FCS in scoring defense in 2007.
In 2006 Elko directed the defensive backs in addition to his defensive coordinator duties. The Pride’s defense ranked in the top half of the conference in total defense, scoring defense, rushing defense and passing defense.
So, he had some success in I-AA before coming here, as much of our staff did. In fact, it is pretty impressive.
Here at BG, I am going to suspect he had some pretty long days and sleepless nights over the last 4 years. The defense was completely bankrupt when he got here, and had to be almost completely rebuilt. There was some long Saturdays where it was painful to watch.
The reward is coming today. Because this team is doing as well as it is with only a couple of senior starters and stands to be even better.
So, for all the long nights, perseverance and ultimately development of the players that are out there today, Mike Elko should be better known in the Falcon Nation...
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3 comments :
Well deserved shout-out and well said (written)!
Bravo Coach Elko!
Good post and insight. Despite the big numbers and playmakers I don't think this BG defensive unit is getting the recognition it deserves.
I can remember during a coaches show or signing day event Coach Brandon jockingly talking about an ATH recruit and making the comment that the O and D staffs will be fighting over him. I think it has become apparent how many of the athletes were funneled to the offensive side of the ball during the previous regime. Are we missing playmakers on O? I don't think so, I just don't think they've hit their stride yet. But we are definitely benefiting from athletes on the defensive side that might have been pushed to the O previously.
That's a good point Noel. We have had a couple of guys who played offense in HS get moved to defense. And yeah, that was partly a trade off you might be seeing at WR right now, but I think this defense has played really well, and while our competition is not great, a few of those teams had really been moving the ball.
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