Mike Elston Named Associate Head Coach
Notre Dame has a new defensive coordinator in Clark Lea, but he wasn’t the only staff member to get a promotion on Tuesday. Defensive line coach Mike Elston had been assistant head coach last fall, but head coach Brian Kelly has now promoted to him associate head coach.
“Mike has been instrumental to the success of Notre Dame football,” said Kelly in a statement on Tuesday. “His commitment and passion for this program and University are second to none. In many ways, Mike can best be described as the backbone of our coaching staff. He’s tutored All-Americans at every position group in his tenure at Notre Dame, including linebacker, defensive line and placekicker. Mike’s also been a vital resource in recruiting — leading the efforts of that office for two years. He’s, without a doubt, a future head coach and we’re very, very fortunate to have him on our staff.”
Elston has been at Notre Dame since 2010 and took over the defensive line in 2017 after coaching linebackers for two seasons. The Irish defensive line took major steps forward in the fall and Elston looks forward to building the unit.
“I love the University of Notre Dame," said Elston. "My family and I are blessed to be a part of this University. I want to thank Jack Swarbrick and Brian Kelly for this opportunity that continues my growth as a coach and offers a greater leadership role in the program. I’m very excited to stay with the defensive line and help them develop to their fullest potential-- both on and off the field.”
The former Michigan outside linebacker has been with Kelly since 2004 at Central Michigan with a stop at Cincinnati from 2007-2009.
1997 Michigan Student Assistant
1998 Michigan Video Intern
1999 Michigan Graduate Assistant/Outside Linebackers
2000 Michigan Graduate Assistant/Outside Linebackers
2001 Eastern Michigan Defensive Ends
2002 Eastern Michigan Recruiting Coordinator/Defensive Line
2003 Eastern Michigan Recruiting Coordinator/Defensive Line
2004 Central Michigan Defensive Line
2005 Central Michigan Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line
2006 Central Michigan Linebackers/Special Teams Coordinator
2007 Cincinnati Recruiting Coord./Tight Ends/Special Teams Coord.
2008 Cincinnati Recruiting Coord./Tight Ends/Special Teams Coord.
2009 Cincinnati Asst. Head Coach/Defensive Line/Special Teams Coord.
2010 Notre Dame Defensive Line/Special Teams Coordinator
2011 Notre Dame Defensive Line/Special Teams Coordinator
2012 Notre Dame Defensive Line
2013 Notre Dame Defensive Line
2014 Notre Dame Defensive Line
2015 Notre Dame Recruiting Coordinator/Linebackers
2016 Notre Dame Recruiting Coordinator/Linebackers
2017 Notre Dame Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Line
2018 Notre Dame Associate Head Coach/Defensive Line