Mike Elko expressed respect for Brian Kelly and noted that coaching has become a volatile, week-to-week profession where firing coaches is increasingly common.

“You never want to see that for anybody. You certainly want don't want to see that to a guy who has helped you in your career at some point and the guy that you respect. And so I think it's a lot of things. I think one, I appreciate him and appreciate everything he did for me and my family.”