Elijah Robinson - Football Coach - Syracuse University Athletics

Elijah Robinson

Title:
Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator

One of the nation's most prolific recruiters and rising stars in coaching, Elijah Robinson enters his second season as the team's Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator.

In his first season at Syracuse, the Orange posted one of their best seasons this century, finishing 10-3 overall and inside the top-20 of the final Associated Press rankings. A program-record 12 players earned All-ACC honors, including Clarence Lewis, Fadil Diggs, Marlowe Wax and Justin Barron on the defensive side of the ball. Robinson also leads the Orange defensive tackles unit, where freshman Maraad Watson was named a 247Sports Freshman All-American in his rookie campaign.

Robinson's defense saw success spread across all units in his first season. Ten different players recorded an interception, 12 players notched a sack and 22 players had double-digit tackles on the year.

Robinson comes to 'Cuse from Texas A&M, where he most recently served as the team's interim head coach for the remainder of the 2023 season. Prior to that, he served as the assistant head coach, co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach for the past two seasons.

Robinson coached the Aggies' defensive line for four seasons before adding assistant head coach to his duties prior to the 2022 season. His defensive unit ranks 17th nationally in rushing defense this season. The Aggies also finished the regular season third in the FBS in sacks (3.5 per game) and are ninth nationally in total defense, allowing just 295.0 yards per game. This year's squad also led the SEC in rushing defense, sacks and tackles for loss and finished second in the league in total defense.

In his six seasons in Aggieland, the A&M defense finished inside the top-20 nationally in rushing defense on three occasions (2018, 2020, 2023) and inside the top-five nationally twice (third in 2018 and second in 2020). The Aggies have also finished inside the top-15 nationally in total defense in three of the past-four seasons.

Robinson has mentored numerous NFL players in his coaching tenure. Every starter on his 2021 defensive line unit signed NFL contracts, including DeMarvin Leal (Steelers) and Michael Clemons (Jets) being selected in the third and fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, respectively.

Prior to his arrival in College Station, Texas A&M hadn't had a defensive tackle drafted since 2008. Under Robinson's guidance, four players have been selected in the fourth round or earlier of the NFL Draft, and numerous others have signed free agent contracts.

Known as being a dynamic recruiter, Robinson was named 247Sports' No. 1 recruiter for the 2022 season, when he helped lead Texas A&M to sign the nation's No. 1 recruiting class according to 247Sports' composite rankings. The Aggies have finished inside the top-10 in each of the last five recruiting cycles by that metric.

In 2020, Robinson helped guide a defensive line that led the SEC and was ranked inside the top-10 in the nation in total defense, also boasting the nation's No. 2 ranked rushing defense. The team finished 9-1 in the COVID-shortened season against a regular-season schedule of only SEC opponents and was ranked fourth in the final AP Poll that season. Defensive tackle Bobby Brown III was taken in the fourth round of the ensuing NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams.

In his first season there, he helped the Aggies finish second in the SEC in rushing defense, allowing 95.2 yards per game, a 75.6 yard improvement from the prior season. Defensive tackles Justin Madubiuke and Dylan Mack finished in the top-15 nationally in sacks. Mack (Ravens) and defensive tackle Kingsley Keke (Packers) were both taken in the fourth round of the NFL Draft in 2019, while Madubuike was selected by the Ravens in the third round a year later. Madubuike currently is the NFL's leader among defensive tackles in sacks this season (10.0).

He arrived at Texas A&M in January of 2018, following stints at Baylor (2017), Temple (2014-16) and Penn State (2009-13).

Robinson was part of Matt Rhule's staff as a defensive line coach at both Temple and Baylor. During that span, he mentored seven players that earned all-conference accolades. He coached All-Big 12 lineman Ira Lewis at Baylor in 2017 and mentored six All-American Athletic Conference selections at Temple, including first-team honorees Hasson Reddick (2016), Matt Ioannidis (2015) and Nate Smith (2015). Reddick was selected with the 13th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals and Ioannidis was selected in the fifth round by the Washington Commanders a year prior. Reddick was a Pro Bowl selection and Second Team All-Pro honoree in 2022 after leading the NFL in forced fumbles.

The 2016 Owls' rush defense ranked No. 2 in the AAC and 25th nationally, allowing just 130.4 yards per game, and posted a conference-best 40.0 sacks. In 2015, Temple recorded 32.0 sacks, including a season-high 10.0 in the Owls' season-opening win over Penn State. Robinson's 2014 defensive line unit racked up 27.0 sacks and 79.0 tackles for loss, as the Owls led the AAC in scoring defense (17.5 points/game) and passing defense (186.9 yards/game).

Prior to Temple, Robinson spent 10 seasons at Penn State as a student-athlete and staff member. A former defensive tackle, he had his playing career cut short after suffering an injury in 2006. He earned his bachelor's degree in 2008 and spent three seasons as a graduate assistant with the Nittany Lions – 2009 with academics and 2010-11 with the defensive staff – before earning his master's degree in 2012.

During the final two months of the 2011 season, Robinson served as defensive line coach, assisting co-defensive coordinator Larry Johnson. He worked with eventual NFL players Devon Still, Jared Odrick, Aaron Maybin, Jack Crawford, Eric Latimore and Jordan Hill.

His final two seasons at Penn State he served as director of community relations and NFL liaison under then-head coach Bill O'Brien. In that role he organized scouting visits, orchestrated Pro Day, developed community service initiatives and served as the football team's liaison with admissions, compliance, housing and academics.

The Camden, N.J. native earned all-state and All-South Jersey honors at Woodrow Wilson High School, leading the team to a 15-0 record and a state championship in 2002.