Joel Elliott

Joel Elliott, a seasoned football coach with a proven track record, brought his expertise to Berry College in 2022 as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Prior to his role at Berry, Elliott spent three successful seasons at the University of Memphis in the American Athletic Conference.

During his tenure at Memphis, Elliott made significant contributions to the team's defensive success. In 2021, he coached First Team All-AAC Linebacker JJ Russell, who ranked ninth in major college football with an impressive 123 total tackles. The team secured victory in the Hawai'i Bowl, a testament to Elliott's coaching prowess with both inside and outside linebackers under head coach Ryan Silverfield.

In the 2020 season, Elliott played a crucial role in the team's 8-3 record and triumph in the Montgomery Bowl. He worked with both inside and outside linebackers, coached the left side of the punt unit line, and demonstrated versatility by coaching various positions on special teams.

Elliott's coaching journey at Memphis began in 2019 under head coach Mike Norvell, where he served as a graduate assistant. The defense boasted a remarkable 12-2 record, earning a spot in the Cotton Bowl. Elliott's responsibilities included coaching the Stud Linebacker, contributing to the team's improvement of over seven fewer points allowed and 55 fewer yards allowed per game compared to the previous season.

Before his time at Memphis, Elliott honed his coaching skills as a defensive graduate assistant at Marshall in 2017 and 2018. Working under head coach Doc Holliday, Elliott excelled in special teams quality control and contributed to the team's success in the New Mexico Bowl in 2017 and the Gasparilla Bowl championship in 2018.

Elliott's coaching journey began at Wesley College in the 2014-16 seasons, where he served as a graduate assistant. In 2014, he coached defensive ends, contributing to the team's impressive 12-2 record and advancement to the NCAA D-III semifinals. In the subsequent seasons, he took on the role of assistant coach, overseeing the linebacker corps and maintaining a consistent average of 10 wins per season.

As a player, Elliott showcased his skills at Denison University, where he was a four-year letter winner from 2010-13. Serving as the captain of the 2013 squad, he earned recognition as the Defensive MVP and received Honorable Mention All-North Coast Athletic Conference honors.

Joel Elliott's rich coaching background and dedication to player development make him a valuable asset to Berry College's football program, ensuring continued success on the defensive front.