Duke Football Holds 2023 Media Day

DURHAM, N.C. – Duke Media Day is off to a start as Head Coach Mike Elko addresses a first look at the upcoming 2023-24 football season for the Blue Devils.

Coach Mike Elko, a name to reckon with in the ACC conference as he was recently named ACC Coach of the Year finishing a 9-4 season with a record of 5-3 in the conference. Coming into his 2^nd season with the Blue Devils he prepares with the team keeping the momentum from the previous season.

“I think it’s just like where the foundation started. We had to do so much work it was like where do we begin with, calling a formation, how do you call a formation, where do we call a formation, and now all that stuff is routine.” Elko said.

While focusing on team players and keeping up the energy for this upcoming season Elko emphasizes building the house and continuously building the house for the rest of the that is new and incoming players. Working on improvements and looking at different areas, Duke is looking at performances on both sides of the ball.

Keeping up with social media, the players, fans, and on the field helps keep the momentum throughout the team.

“It’s just continuing to find ways to elevate on brand and what we are doing. When we got here, we were here to build something, try to continue winning football, and generate more fan support. We don’t look at anything being close to finished, everything we look at internally is that we are just getting started.”

Going into the new season Duke has some players to look out for on the field, including Jacob Monk, DeWayne Carter, Jalon Calhoun, Myles Jones, Riley Leonard, and more.

Riley Leonard, one of ACC’s top quarterbacks, emphasizes how players have become more serious when it comes to their schedule this football season. He has knowledge of the type of coverage that each of his receivers favor. His has confidence has excelled into a full-speed moment and will reflect on the field this year.

“I think if we can win football games this year and we can beat the people that we play against, I believe that it will level however people view me. The year before I was ranked the worst ACC quarterback, the last year we get some wins and now I am at the top of the list.”

As the team prepares for a kickoff with the Clemson Tigers at the Wallace Wade Stadium, the team and coaches are continuously making improvements and elevating their game to the next level.