On December 3rd, 2023, former Texas A&M defensive coordinator and interim head coach Elijah Robinson left the Aggies to be the new defensive coordinator at Syracuse University. Robinson would join new head coach Fran Brown in a completely revamped coaching staff from just a year ago. Brown, who spent the last two seasons as a member of the Georgia coaching staff, has known Robinson since grade school. For him to hire the 39-year-old to his staff, he knew Robinson brought more to the table than just football.
“It’s the stuff he does outside of football as a man that I respect more than just this part of it,” Coach Brown said.
When Robinson got the call to come move up to Central New York, it was a no-brainer. A native of Camden, NJ, Robinson had missed the snow, and now gets to work alongside one of his lifelong friends.
“We grew up together. Our family and our parents grew up together,” Robinson said. “I’m happy that he feels highly about me.”
It has been a busy last two years for Robinson in terms of job position. He started the 2022 season as a D-Line coach, then moved to Co-Defensive Coordinator, then to interim Head Coach, and now Solo Defensive Coordinator at SU. Through all the change and uncertainty, he understands that the best thing he can do is stay in the present, and not get swept up in the moment.
“I’ve got to be where my feet are,” he said.
The bulk of those changes started back in mid-November, when former Texas A&M Athletic Director Ross Bjork announced that the school would be parting ways with head coach Jimbo Fisher, effective immediately. When Robinson came in to the job, he finished the season 1-2, with a win against ACU, and losses to #14 LSU and #22 Oklahoma State.
After moving to Syracuse and getting a chance to work with his new unit, it's evident that the times are certainly changing for SU Football. The new acronym for the Orange this season is D.A.R.T. which Robinson wants his players to utilize on and off the field.
“We have to be detailed, accountable, relentless and tough,” he said. “That has to be the foundation of everything we do.”
Syracuse Football kicks off the 2024 season on August 31st at 3:30 when it welcomes Ohio to the dome. Listen to every Orange football contest on 88.3 FM and waer.org.