TicketsAug. 1, 2007
Mike Elston combines BCS playing experience with a winning coaching background. Elston is an integral part of Brian Kelly's staff as recruiting coordinator, special teams coordinator, and tight ends coach.
In his three seasons with CMU, Elston played many roles with the Chippewas, working his way up to special teams coordinator and linebackers coach a year ago. In 2006, he instructed two all-MAC linebackers, including the top tackler in the league. His work with special teams sparked a drastic improvement in the punting unit, which finished 19th nationally in net punting.
Elston spent the 2005 season as the co-defensive coordinator, developing a unit that led the MAC in rushing defense (113.7 ypg allowed). He worked directly with defensive end Daniel Bazuin, who led the country in tackles for loss (26.5) and tied a league record with 16 sacks.
The success against the run in 2005 came just two years after CMU ranked last in the MAC in rushing defense.
Prior to arriving in Mount Pleasant, Elston served a three-year stint at Eastern Michigan University. He was the defensive ends coach for the Eagles in 2001 and then served as the defensive line coach/recruiting coordinator in 2002 and 2003. EMU was the most improved defense in Division I-A in both scoring and total yards in 2003.
Elston grew up in St. Marys, Ohio, where he garnered all-state honors in football, basketball, and track at Memorial High School. He went on to attend Michigan, where he was a three-year letterwinner (1994-96). Elston remained in Ann Arbor for four years after his playing days were over. He first worked as an assistant to the football camp director and then reported as a graduate assistant for two seasons.
Elston was a member of the national championship program in 1997, that finished a perfect 12-0 season with a 21-16 win over Washington State in the Rose Bowl.
Elston moved to a graduate assistant role with the defense and coached the outside linebackers in 1999 and 2000.