Robinson Rejoins Football Staff as Co-Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Line Coach
Dec 22, 2025 | Football
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko announced Monday the hiring of Elijah Robinson as the Aggies' co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach.
Robinson returns to Aggieland following a two-year stint (2024-25) at Syracuse University, where he served as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator. Prior to his time with the Orange, Robinson spent six seasons (2018-23) with the Maroon & White, including four years (2018-21) under then-defensive coordinator Elko. He also served as Texas A&M's interim head coach for the final three games of the 2023 season.
During his tenure at Syracuse, Robinson helped guide the Orange to 13 victories, highlighted by a top-20 finish in the Associated Press poll following the 2024 season. Under his direction, four Syracuse players earned All-ACC honors, including defensive end Fadil Diggs and linebacker Justin Barron. Defensive tackle Maraad Watson was also named a 247Sports.com Freshman All-American in 2024.
Robinson's defenses showed marked improvement over his two seasons in New York. Syracuse improved from 86th nationally in third-down conversion defense in his first year to 60th in year two (+26). The Orange also jumped from 117th to 49th nationally in fourth-down conversion defense (+68) during that span.
Robinson joined the Syracuse staff after a six-year run at Texas A&M, where he served in multiple roles. He began as the Aggies' defensive line coach for four seasons (2018-21) before being elevated to assistant head coach, run game coordinator, and defensive line coach for his final two years (2022-23).
During Robinson's six seasons in College Station, the Aggies ranked inside the top 20 nationally in rushing defense three times (2018, 2020, 2023), including top-five finishes in 2018 (third) and 2020 (second). Texas A&M also finished inside the top 15 nationally in total defense in three of his final four seasons.
Robinson mentored numerous NFL players during his time in Aggieland, including every starter on the 2021 defensive line unit. Six of his players were selected in the NFL Draft, highlighted by defensive tackles DeMarvin Leal and Michael Clemons, who were chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round (84th overall) and New York Jets in the fourth round (117th overall), respectively, in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Recognized as a dynamic recruiter, Robinson was named 247Sports.com's No. 1 recruiter for the 2022 season after helping Texas A&M sign the nation's top-ranked recruiting class. The Aggies finished inside the top 10 nationally in each of his final five recruiting cycles with the program.
Prior to his time at Texas A&M, Robinson spent one season (2017) at Baylor University and three seasons (2014-16) at Temple University as the defensive line coach under head coach Matt Rhule. He added run game coordinator responsibilities during his final season at Temple in 2016.
Between Baylor and Temple, Robinson coached seven players to all-conference honors, including first-team selections Matt Ioannidis and Nate Smith in 2015 and unanimous first-team All-American Haason Reddick in 2016. Reddick went on to be selected by the Arizona Cardinals with the 13th overall pick in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft and has since earned two Pro Bowl selections (2022, 2023) and Second Team All-Pro honors in 2022.
In Robinson's final season at Temple, the Owls ranked 25th nationally and second in the AAC in rushing defense (130.4 yards per game) while posting a conference-best 40 sacks (19th nationally). During his first two seasons on staff, Temple ranked inside the top 20 nationally in scoring defense and top 25 in passing efficiency defense, while also finishing top five in the AAC in sacks and tackles for loss.
Before joining Rhule's staff at Temple, the Camden, N.J., native spent five seasons at his alma mater, Penn State University. He served as the Nittany Lions' director of community relations and NFL liaison under head coach Bill O'Brien for two seasons (2012–13). Robinson also spent three years as a graduate assistant, beginning on the academic staff in 2009 before transitioning to the defensive side of the ball for two seasons (2010-11).
As a defensive graduate assistant, Robinson worked with co-defensive coordinator Larry Johnson and helped coach Devon Still to All-America honors in 2011. He also assisted in the development of four All-Big Ten selections, including Still, who was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round (53rd overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft.
A 2008 graduate of Penn State with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, Robinson was a member of the Nittany Lions' defensive line unit for three seasons before being diagnosed with spinal stenosis that ended his career in 2007. He remained with the program as a student assistant coach during his final season. He later earned a master's degree in education from Penn State in 2012.
Robinson is married to the former Anna Araica of Camden, N.J., and they are the parents of four children, Alin, Elia, Enya, and Emri.
Robinson returns to Aggieland following a two-year stint (2024-25) at Syracuse University, where he served as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator. Prior to his time with the Orange, Robinson spent six seasons (2018-23) with the Maroon & White, including four years (2018-21) under then-defensive coordinator Elko. He also served as Texas A&M's interim head coach for the final three games of the 2023 season.
During his tenure at Syracuse, Robinson helped guide the Orange to 13 victories, highlighted by a top-20 finish in the Associated Press poll following the 2024 season. Under his direction, four Syracuse players earned All-ACC honors, including defensive end Fadil Diggs and linebacker Justin Barron. Defensive tackle Maraad Watson was also named a 247Sports.com Freshman All-American in 2024.
Robinson's defenses showed marked improvement over his two seasons in New York. Syracuse improved from 86th nationally in third-down conversion defense in his first year to 60th in year two (+26). The Orange also jumped from 117th to 49th nationally in fourth-down conversion defense (+68) during that span.
Robinson joined the Syracuse staff after a six-year run at Texas A&M, where he served in multiple roles. He began as the Aggies' defensive line coach for four seasons (2018-21) before being elevated to assistant head coach, run game coordinator, and defensive line coach for his final two years (2022-23).
During Robinson's six seasons in College Station, the Aggies ranked inside the top 20 nationally in rushing defense three times (2018, 2020, 2023), including top-five finishes in 2018 (third) and 2020 (second). Texas A&M also finished inside the top 15 nationally in total defense in three of his final four seasons.
Robinson mentored numerous NFL players during his time in Aggieland, including every starter on the 2021 defensive line unit. Six of his players were selected in the NFL Draft, highlighted by defensive tackles DeMarvin Leal and Michael Clemons, who were chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round (84th overall) and New York Jets in the fourth round (117th overall), respectively, in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Recognized as a dynamic recruiter, Robinson was named 247Sports.com's No. 1 recruiter for the 2022 season after helping Texas A&M sign the nation's top-ranked recruiting class. The Aggies finished inside the top 10 nationally in each of his final five recruiting cycles with the program.
Prior to his time at Texas A&M, Robinson spent one season (2017) at Baylor University and three seasons (2014-16) at Temple University as the defensive line coach under head coach Matt Rhule. He added run game coordinator responsibilities during his final season at Temple in 2016.
Between Baylor and Temple, Robinson coached seven players to all-conference honors, including first-team selections Matt Ioannidis and Nate Smith in 2015 and unanimous first-team All-American Haason Reddick in 2016. Reddick went on to be selected by the Arizona Cardinals with the 13th overall pick in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft and has since earned two Pro Bowl selections (2022, 2023) and Second Team All-Pro honors in 2022.
In Robinson's final season at Temple, the Owls ranked 25th nationally and second in the AAC in rushing defense (130.4 yards per game) while posting a conference-best 40 sacks (19th nationally). During his first two seasons on staff, Temple ranked inside the top 20 nationally in scoring defense and top 25 in passing efficiency defense, while also finishing top five in the AAC in sacks and tackles for loss.
Before joining Rhule's staff at Temple, the Camden, N.J., native spent five seasons at his alma mater, Penn State University. He served as the Nittany Lions' director of community relations and NFL liaison under head coach Bill O'Brien for two seasons (2012–13). Robinson also spent three years as a graduate assistant, beginning on the academic staff in 2009 before transitioning to the defensive side of the ball for two seasons (2010-11).
As a defensive graduate assistant, Robinson worked with co-defensive coordinator Larry Johnson and helped coach Devon Still to All-America honors in 2011. He also assisted in the development of four All-Big Ten selections, including Still, who was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round (53rd overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft.
A 2008 graduate of Penn State with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, Robinson was a member of the Nittany Lions' defensive line unit for three seasons before being diagnosed with spinal stenosis that ended his career in 2007. He remained with the program as a student assistant coach during his final season. He later earned a master's degree in education from Penn State in 2012.
Robinson is married to the former Anna Araica of Camden, N.J., and they are the parents of four children, Alin, Elia, Enya, and Emri.
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