Years In Coaching: 20th
Years at USF: 1st
Alma Mater: William & Mary, ‘07
Family: Wife: Tierra; Son: Elijah Jr. ; Daughters: Zoey and Zayia
Hometown: Largo, Maryland
NOTABLE:
• Led Virginia Tech running back Bhayshul Tuten to a 1,159-yard season as second team all-ACC honors.
• In four seasons at Maryland, he had a running back earn and NFL opportunity in every season.
• Led the DeMatha Catholic HS to four consecutive conference and state championships from 2013-16, three top 20 national finishes and developed six NFL players during his DeMatha tenure.
• Finished as the sixth-all-time leading rusher in William & Mary history.
Elijah Brooks was named University of South Florida running backs coach in December of 2025, joining head coach Brian Hartline’s first USF staff.
A former standout running back at William & Mary, Brooks came to Tampa after three seasons at Virginia Tech and brought 19 years of coaching experience to Tampa. Included in that experience is eight seasons serving as the head coach at national prep powerhouse DeMatha Catholic High School (Md.). Following a successful run at DeMatha, including four straight state championships and three top 20 national finishes, he entered the collegiate ranks at Maryland, where he coached for four seasons before moving to Virginia Tech.
Over the course of his career, Brooks has a proven track record of developing running back talent, with many earning NFL opportunities, as well cultivating relationships and recruiting, particularly in the northeast and tidewater area.
BEFORE SOUTH FLORIDA
VIRGINIA TECH: Brooks served three seasons on the Virginia Tech staff as running backs coach after coming to Blacksburg in the spring of 2023.
In 2024, the Hokies were one of five ACC teams to average at least 175 yards rushing per game. Under Brooks' direction, Bhayshul Tuten put together a banner season in 2024, eclipsing 100 rushing yards during six of his 11 games (four against Power Four opponents) and setting the Tech program record for single-game rushing yards with 266 and four total touchdowns (three rushing) on Oct. 17 against Boston College. He received the following honors: ACC Running Back of the Week, Walter Camp National FBS Player of the Week, Doak Walker Award National Running Back of the Week, Reese’s Senior Bowl Co-Offensive Player of the Week, and East-West Shrine Bowl Breakout Offensive Player of the Week. His 1,159 rushing yards on the year ranked fourth in the ACC and his 105.4 rushing yards per game ranked second in the ACC. Tuten was named All-ACC Second Team despite missing one game and part of another due to injury. He also was invited to the Reese's Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine.
During the 2023 season, Brooks oversaw a Tech rushing attack that tallied 2,467 yards on the ground and 20 touchdowns. Bhayshul Tuten recorded 863 yards and 10 touchdowns under the direction of Brooks, while Malachi Thomas registered 381 yards and two scores.
MARYLAND: In four years at Maryland, Brooks demonstrated the ability to coach and develop running backs at the highest level in the Big Ten Conference. Each year a running back under his tutelage earned an opportunity in the NFL, including Anthony McFarland (Pittsburgh Steelers), Javon Leake (NY Giants), Jake Funk (LA Rams) and Tayon Fleet-Davis (Kansas City Chiefs).
In the 2022 season under Brooks, freshmen Roman Hemby and Antwain Littleton had breakout seasons, combining for six 100-yard games. Hemby earned Big 10 Player of the Week honors twice, rushing for 989 yards and 10 touchdowns on the season, placing him among the top 10 rushers in the Big Ten.
DeMATHA CATHOLIC: In eight seasons head coach at DeMatha Catholic High School (Md.), Brooks compiled a 72-20 record, which ranks as the best eight-year run in school history. He led the Stags to four consecutive conference and state championships from 2013-16. Brooks led DeMatha to three top 20 national finishes and developed six NFL players during his DeMatha tenure.
Competing in arguably the nation's toughest high school football conference, Brooks was inducted into the DeMatha Catholic High School Hall of Fame in 2022 and garnered Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Coach of the Year honors in 2014 and 2016.
PLAYING CAREER (William & Mary)
Brooks starred as an all-conference running back at William & Mary from 2004-2006, finishing as the school's sixth all-time leading rusher.
PERSONAL
A native of Largo, Md., Brooks and his wife, Tierra, have three children, including daughters – Zoey and Zayia – and son – Elijah.
COACHING CAREER
2026- South Florida Running Backs Coach
2023-25 Virginia Tech Running Backs Coach
2019-11 Maryland Running Backs Coach
2011-18 DeMatha Catholic Head Coach
2007-10 DeMatha Catholic Running Backs Coach
BOWL GAMES/POSTSEASON
2025 – Duke’s
2024 – Duke’s Mayo Bowl (Virginia Tech)
2023 – Military Bowl (Virginia Tech)
2022 – Duke’s Mayo Bowl (Maryland)
2021 – Pinstripe Bowl (Maryland)
