Few coaches in modern football have transformed defenses as consistently as Mike Elko. From Wake Forest to Notre Dame to Texas A&M, his units have been defined by elite efficiency, disciplined situational play, and game-changing execution on money downs.
In this clinic session from the Angelo Football Clinic, Coach Elko delivers a complete blueprint for building a dominant third-down defense—starting with foundational situational awareness and progressing to pressures, simulated pressures, coverages, and front structures.

What You’ll Learn

1. The Situational DNA of Great Defense

Elko begins by breaking down how elite defenses win first and second down to create favorable third-down situations. He details:

• The specific objectives for 2nd & long, 2nd & medium, and waist-down situations (2nd & 1–3)

• Why “halving the sticks” is the key defensive goal on off-schedule downs

• How offensive coordinators think in each down-and-distance window

• How to teach players Football 101 concepts that prevent busts and eliminate freebies

This section gives you a framework for teaching players purposeful, situational football, not just running plays.

2. Third-Down Philosophy & Why It’s a Momentum Down

Elko then explains the psychology and math behind third-down success:

• NFL/college conversion rates by distance

• Why 3rd & 4–6 is the true separator between good and bad defenses

• How winning or losing a single 3rd & 10+ can swing an entire drive—or an entire game

• How to communicate “battle for the sticks” mentality to your unit

You’ll learn exactly how Elko trains his players to treat third down as a ball-game down.

3. How to Build Your Third-Down Plan

Elko outlines the five categories every successful third-down package must include:

1. Three-man rush / Spy concepts

2. Four-man rush & rush-lane integrity

3. Simulated pressures

4. Zone pressures (2-deep, 4-under structures)

5. Man pressures

You’ll see how he balances these tools so the defense is never predictable and always able to adjust in-game.

4. Creating Confusion: Front Structures & Disguise

Elko dives into the two core third-down looks used at Texas A&M:

• Bear front: six on the line, interchangeable rush/drop pieces

• Split front: five-tech and nine-tech on both edges, creating stress on protection rules

He explains how these structures:

• Force the offense to declare its protection

• Make blitzes and simulated pressures look identical to base looks

• Create mismatches (e.g., RB on DE-type bodies)

• Remove “tells” quarterbacks use to identify pressure

5. Pressures, Sims & Coverage Pairings

Elko provides detailed breakdowns of:

• Spy rules and teaching points

• Constrict rush vs. twist rush mechanics

• When and why to use simulated pressures (sims)

• Fire zone 3, triangle coverage, and man-free adjustments

• How to handle bunch, stacks, crossers, spacing, and West Coast concepts

• Matching the rush plan to the down-and-distance window

This section includes both installation philosophy and real game examples.

6. Coaching the D-Line for Every Down-Distance

You’ll learn how to teach your front the different style of rush required in:

• 3rd & 11+ (effort rush, double-sticks awareness)

• 3rd & 7–10 (best sack opportunity)

• 3rd & 4–6 (matchups, mesh/pick awareness)

• 3rd & 2–3 (ball disruption > sacks)

• 3rd & 1 (short-yardage toughness)

These coaching points alone are worth the watch.

Who This Course Is For

• High school, college, and pro coaches looking to sharpen their third-down game planning

• Coordinators seeking a full framework for pressures, sims, structure, and coverage

• Young coaches wanting to learn how elite defenses think, teach, and communicate

• Any staff wanting to improve situational defense and get off the field more consistently

What You’ll Walk Away With

By the end of the course, you’ll be able to:
✔ Build a complete third-down defensive plan
✔ Teach situational football with clarity and urgency
✔ Mix pressures, coverages, and disguises without being predictable
✔ Attack protections, QBs, and tendencies with precision
✔ Coach your D-line, LBs, and DBs to execute every part of the plan

This is a rare behind-the-scenes look at how one of the nation’s best defensive minds builds elite third-down units year after year.