Duke hired Texas A&M defensive coordinator Mike Elko as its next coach, the school announced Friday.
Elko, 44, spent the past four seasons with Texas A&M after coordinator stints at Notre Dame, Wake Forest, Bowling Green and Hofstra. He had been a candidate for several Power 5 head-coaching opportunities in recent years.
Duke also considered Clemson offensive coordinator Tony Elliott, who earlier Friday accepted the head-coaching job at Virginia. Other candidates included former Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett, Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis, Army coach Jeff Monkey and Dallas Cowboys assistant George Edwards, sources said.
Elko replaces David Cutcliffe, who reached a mutual separation agreement with Duke on Nov.