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Mike Elko Officially Named Notre Dame’s Defensive Coordinator

The 39-year-old Elko has 12 years of experience as a defensive coordinator.
The 39-year-old Elko has 12 years of experience as a defensive coordinator.

Notre Dame announced that Mike Elko has been hired as the defensive coordinator for the Irish. It has been reported for a week that Elko would take over the defense, but now it is official.

Elko spent the last three seasons as the defensive coordinator at Wake Forest and he served in the same capacity the five previous seasons at Bowling Green. The 39-year-old Elko graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1999 and has a total of 12 years of experience as a defensive coordinator.

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Despite having a depth chart littered with two- and three-star recruits, Wake Forest’s 2016 defense was highly effective. The Demon Deacons finished third nationally in fumbles recovered (14), 10th in turnovers gained (25), 13th in sacks (37), 17th in red zone defense (75.6 scoring percentage), 20th in scoring defense (21.8 points allowed per game), 25th in passing touchdowns allowed (14), 30th in tackles for loss (6.8 per game) and 33rd in third-down defense (35.9 percent).

Elko also built dominant defenses at Bowling Green, where he served as the coordinator from 2009-13. In his final two seasons with the Falcons, Elko’s defense led the Mid-American Conference in scoring defense, total defense, rushing defense and first-down defense each season.

Bowling Green finished fifth nationally in scoring defense in 2013 and 10th in 2012. It ranked sixth in total defense in 2012 and 10th in 2013. The Falcons ranked sixth in passing defense and ninth in pass efficiency defense in 2013, and 13th in passing defense and 18th in pass efficiency in 2012. Bowling Green ranked 11th in sacks and 12th in rushing defense during the 2012 season, and third nationally in red zone defense in 2013.

For a more thorough examination of the statistical results of Elko’s defenses the last six seasons, CLICK HERE.

Elko is a native of South Brunswick, N.J.

For an X’s and O’s analysis of Elko’s defense, CLICK HERE.

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