Elijah Brooks

The Brooks File

Coaching: 19th Season, 3rd at Tech
Hometown: Largo, Maryland
High School: DeMatha
College: William & Mary (2007)
Playing Exp: William & Mary (2004-06)
Family: Wife – Tierra, Son – Elijah, Jr., Daughters – Zoey and Zayia

COACHING HISTORY

2023-24	Virginia Tech	Running Backs
2019-22	Maryland	Running Backs
2011-18	DeMatha Catholic	Head Coach
2007-10	DeMatha Catholic	Running Backs

BOWL GAMES COACHED

2024	Duke's Mayo	Virginia Tech
2023	Military	Virginia Tech
2022	Duke's Mayo	Maryland
2021	Pinstripe	Maryland

COACHING HIGHLIGHTS

• Elijah Brooks is in his third season on the Tech staff as running backs coach after coming to Blacksburg in the spring of 2023, following a successful run with at Maryland and powerhouse DeMatha Catholic High School.
• Under Brooks' direction, Bhayshul Tuten put together a banner season in 2024. Tuten eclipsed 100 rushing yards during six of his 11 games played (four instances against Power Four opponents) and set the Virginia Tech program record for single-game rushing yards (266) on Oct. 17 against Boston College, also registering four total touchdowns (three rushing). 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, East-West Shrine Bowl Breakout Offensive Player of the Week. His 1,159 rushing yards 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 at running back 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.
• The Hokies were one of five ACC teams to average at least 175 yards per game in 2024 under Brooks.
• 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.
• 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.
• Over the course of his career, Brooks has a proven track record of establishing and cultivating relationships throughout Virginia Tech's recruiting footprint. His recruiting prowess can be traced to strong connections in D.C., Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania.
• As a head coach at DeMatha Catholic High School (Md.) he compiled a 72-20 record, which is the best eight year run in school history, leading the Stags to four consecutive conference and state championships (2013-16).
• Competing in arguably the nation's toughest high school football conference, the 2022 DeMatha Catholic High School Hall of Fame inductee garnered Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Coach of the Year awards in both 2014 and 2016. Brooks also led DeMatha to three top 20 national finishes. His high school coaching resumes also includes developing 6 current NFL players. 

PLAYING HIGHLIGHTS

• Brooks starred as an all-conference running back at William & Mary from 2004-2006, finishing as the school's sixth all-time leading rusher.