How much would it cost Texas A&M football to make a coaching change

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Texas A&M Aggies football head coach Mike Elko may be in some trouble. College Station may see a new face if the season doesn't do a 360.

The Aggies are 3-3 and coming off a CFP first-round appearance last season. After a crushing 27-6 defeat to No. 13 Missouri, a team the Aggies ran through last season, Texas A&M is looking for answers.

Elko's offense looks nothing like it did last season. The biggest red flag is the quarterback position. Marcel Reed has thrown two interceptions in multiple games against SEC opponents.

First-year student Brady Hart is the backup but has limited playing time, leaving the offense scarce at quarterback. However, the quarterback room isn't the only killer. The offensive line has not been stellar either.

In six games, the offensive line has allowed 12 sacks, and three of them were against Missouri. Putrid.

The Aggies' rushing attack is a step behind from a season ago. They average 3.89 yards per carry compared to last season's 4.8. Rushing yards per game also lack production, down 144 yards per game this season from 184.7 last season.

If Texas A&M decides to move on from Elko, it won't be cheap. In February, he signed a six-year, $69 million contract extension that runs through the 2031 season. Elko's base salary is $10.75 million with a $300,000 bump in each ensuing contract year.

Elko will gain a one-year contract extension for either winning nine games or making the College Football Playoff.

Elko's base salary for each contract year

• Year 1: $10.75 million.
• Year 2: $11.05 million.
• Year 3: $11.35 million.
• Year 4: $11.65 million.
• Year 5: $11.95 million.
• Year 6: $12.25 million.

BUYOUT DETAILS

If Elko is fired without cause, this is when things get tricky. Say the Aggies win a national championship under Elko's current contract agreement; he would be owed 100% of his remaining salary.

If this doesn't happen, then he would be owed 100% of any remaining annual base salary from the effective date of the termination through the third-to-last contract year of the then-current term and 85% of any remaining annual base salary of the last two contract years of the then-current term, according to 247 Sports.

He would be paid monthly beginning on the first day of the month after the month in which he was terminated until Elko has been paid in full.

Elko is 22-10 as the Aggies' head coach.

Texas A&M looks to get above .500 as they take on the Citadel in College Station on Saturday, October 17 (1 p.m. ET).

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