HOUSTON, Sept. 16, 2025 — Texas A&M University head coach Mike Elko has been named Paul “Bear” Bryant National Coach of the Week following the Aggies’ 41-40 victory over No. 8 Notre Dame on Saturday night.
The Aggies are now ranked No. 10 in both the AP and AFCA Top 25 polls.
The American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, presents the Bear Bryant Awards annually to celebrate excellence in coaching, to honor Coach Bryant’s legacy and to raise awareness and critical funds for its mission. The coaching legend died from a heart attack in 1983, just 28 days after his final victory and retirement.
The signature win was the Aggies’ first road win over an AP Top 25 opponent since beating No. 3 Auburn 41-38 in Jordan-Hare Stadium in 2014 and the first non-conference win over a ranked opponent since beating No. 6 Penn State 27-14 on September 27, 1979.
Texas A&M moves to 3-0 for the first time since 2021, and takes a 4-3 advantage in the all-time series against Notre Dame.
In a back-and-forth affair that saw five lead changes, it was an 11-yard pass from Marcel Reed to Nate Boerkircher with 13 seconds remaining that tied the game at 40-40, before Randy Bond’s extra point provided the Aggies with the winning point.
Reed completed 17 of 37 passes for 360 yards and two scores, with a career-long 86-yard completion coming in the first quarter to wideout Mario Craver. Craver hauled in seven passes for a team-best 207 yards.
The Maroon and White racked up 488 yards of total offense, marking the second consecutive game in which the Aggies have recorded 450-plus yards of offense.
Texas A&M will be off this week, returning home on September 27 to open Southeastern Conference play against Auburn.
The selection of Elko as National Coach of the Week follows last week’s selection of USF’s Alex Golesh and the week one selection of Florida State’s Mike Norvell.
Continuing through the remainder of the regular season, the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards will recognize a coach weekly for leading their team to an exceptional victory. The National Coach of the Week award is chosen by a committee of national college football media members.
Fans can follow the lead up to January’s 40th annual Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards Ceremony at facebook.com/bryantawards, x.com/bryantawards or Instagram.com/bryantawards or the hashtag #BryantAwards. To attend the exclusive, VIP experience visit bryantawards.org.
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