Maryland will now have at least one more coaching vacancy to fill in 2023.
Running backs coach Elijah Brooks is expected to become the new running backs coach at Virginia Tech, Matt Zenitz reports and IBG confirms.
Brooks joined Maryland back in 2019 shortly after Mike Locksley became the new head coach, helping Maryland rebuild its local footprint. Brooks joined Maryland after eight seasons as head coach at DeMatha where he led a program that boasted NFL players like Chase Young, Anthony McFarland, Cameron Wake, Cyrus Kouandijo and Rodney McLeoud.
Under Brooks, Maryland redshirt freshman Roman Hemby exploded on the Big Ten stage and became one of four running backs in the Big Ten to rush for at least 985 yards and ten touchdowns. Brooks also helped Tayon Fleet-Davis have his best season as a Terp in 2021 while both Jake Funk and Anthony McFarland went to the NFL during his four seasons in College Park. Funk’s last season in College Park was his best under Locksley after leading the FBS in yards per carry and rankings second in the Big Ten in rushing yards per game. Brooks also led the development of Javon Leake, who finished fourth in FBS in yards per carry in 2019, in his first season with the program while Maryland became one of only two Power Five schools with two running backs with eight or more touchdowns.
On the recruiting trail, Brooks’ extensive local ties gave Maryland a familiar face with its local recruiting targets as he led the way with the WCAC along with tapping into his ties in Philadelphia.
Maryland’s coaching staff appeared set last week when both Zac Spavital and Josh Gattis were announced as the new safeties coach and offensive coordinator, but now, head coach Mike Locksley will have one more position to fill just 15 days before spring ball begins.
Brooks will join former Maryland assistant and current offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen in Blacksburg where the duo will have extensive ties within the DMV.
Maryland is coming off consecutive winning seasons and bowl wins for the first time in nearly ten years.
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