Notebook: Notre Dame defensive coordinator leaves for Texas A&M

Notre Dame defensive coordinator Mike Elko, who was a significant factor in the Fighting Irish's improvement this season, is leaving to take the same position at Texas A&M under new coach Jimbo Fisher.

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly made the announcement Thursday via Twitter.

Kelly hired Elko a year ago and he helped improve the Irish from 4-8 in 2016 to their 10-3 record this season. Notre Dame's defense went from allowing 5.40 yards per play in 2016 to 5.05 yards per play this season.

Kelly told Irish Illustrated prior to the Citrus Bowl that he expected his entire staff back next season.

New Texas A&M head coach Fisher tried to hire defensive coordinator Dave Aranda away from LSU, but Aranda opted to remain with the Tigers.

--Washington State defensive coordinator Alex Grinch has agreed to join the Ohio State coaching staff, multiple media outlets reported.

Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer already has a defensive coordinator in Greg Schiano, but Grinch reportedly will serve as co-defensive coordinator at Ohio State.

Grinch, 37, spent three seasons at Washington State and improved the Cougars' defense considerably. Washington State ranked 56th nationally in scoring defense this season after being 117th in scoring defense the year before Grinch arrived.

The Seattle Times reported Grinch may have personal reasons for making the move to the Midwest. His mother is ill, sources told the Times, and Grinch's hometown of Grove City, Ohio, is about a 15-minute drive from Columbus.

--LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda has agreed to terms on a new contract, head coach Ed Orgeron announced over social media.

"I'm very happy to report Dave Aranda has agreed to be with our program for years to come," Orgeron wrote on Wednesday.

While Orgeron didn't provide specifics, ESPN reported that Aranda's deal will be a four-year contract worth $2.5 million annually. The numbers represent a significant raise for Aranda, who made $1.8 million in 2017.

The price of the new deal may have been driven up by the pursuit of Texas A&M and Jimbo Fisher.

--Longtime Yale football coach Carm Cozza died after a lengthy battle with illness. He was 87.

Cozza led Yale to 10 Ivy League titles during 32 years as coach (1965-96), posting a 179-119-5 mark. He had an undefeated season in 1968 that famously ended with a 29-29 tie against rival Harvard.

Cozza was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002.