ROBINSON UP CLOSE

PERSONAL

Birthdate: May 25, 1985
Hometown: Camden, New Jersey
Education: Penn State, BS, 2008; Penn State, Master's, 2012

PLAYING EXPERIENCE

2004-08: Penn State

COACHING Experience

2006-11: Penn State (coach)
2012-13: Penn State (Director of Community Relations/NFL Liaison)
2014-15: Temple (Defensive Line)
2016: Temple (Defensive Line/Run Game Coordinator)
2017: Baylor (Defensive Line)
2018-21: Texas A&M (Defensive Line)
2022-:Texas A&M (Assistant Head Coach/Run Game Coordinator/Defensive Line)

POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE

Player
2005: Orange (Penn State)
2006: Outback (Penn State)
2007: Alamo (Penn State)
2008: Rose (Penn State)
Coach
2009: Capital One (Penn State)
2010: Outback (Penn State)
2011: TicketCity (Penn State)
2015: Boca Raton (Temple)
2016: Military (Temple)
2018: Gator (Texas A&M)
2019: Texas (Texas A&M)
2020: Orange (Texas A&M)

Elijah Robinson was named interim head coach prior to the final two games of the 2023 regular season. He was promoted to assistant head coach and run game coordinator in January of 2022 after serving as the defensive line coach in his first four seasons at Texas A&M. He arrived in Aggieland in January of 2018 following stints at Baylor, Temple and Penn State.

In 2021, the entire starting defensive line signed NFL contracts with DeMarvin Leal being selected in the third round, while Micheal Clemons was tabbed in the fourth round.

In 2020, Robison helped guide a veteran defensive line that led the SEC and was top-10 in the nation in total defense, also boasting a top-three ranking in the country in rushing defense. His guidance helped A&M post a program-best 8-1 regular season record all against SEC opponents and boast a top-five ranking through the end of the season.

In his first season at Texas A&M, Robinson's unit helped the Aggies finish second in the league in rushing defense as they allowed just 95.2 yards per game, a 75.6 yard improvement from the 2017 season. The Maroon & White tallied 2.8 sacks per game as defensive tackles Justin Madubuike and Daylon Mack finished in the top-15 in sacks in the SEC. Robinson is largely credited with sparking Mack's resurgence as a senior that saw him drafted in the fifth round by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Robinson coached the defensive line for former Baylor and NFL head coach Matt Rhule for four seasons at Baylor (2017) and Temple (2014-16). During that span, Robinson mentored seven players that earned all-conference accolades.

He coached honorable mention All-Big 12 lineman Ira Lewis at Baylor in 2017 and he mentored six All-American Athletic Conference selections at Temple, including first-team picks Haason Reddick (2016), Matt Ionnidis (2015) and Nate D. Smith (2015).

The 2016 Owls' rush defense ranked No. 2 in the AAC and 25th nationally, allowing just 130.4 yards per game, and posted a conference-best 40.0 sacks. In 2015, Temple recorded 32.0 sacks, including a season-high 10.0 in the Owls’ season-opening win over Penn State.

Robinson's 2014 defensive line crew racked up 27.0 sacks and 79.0 tackles for loss, as the Owls led the AAC in scoring defense (17.5 points/game) and passing defense (186.9 yards/game).

Prior to Temple, Robinson spent 10 seasons at Penn State as a student-athlete and staff member. The former Nittany Lion defensive tackle had his playing career cut short after suffering a neck injury during spring practice in 2006. He earned his bachelor's degree from PSU in 2008 and spent three years as a graduate assistant -- 2009 with academics and 2010-2011 as defensive graduate assistant -- before earning his master's degree in 2012.

During the final two months of the 2011 season, Robinson served as defensive line coach, assisting co-defensive coordinator Larry Johnson. He worked with eventual NFL players Devon Still, Jared Odrick, Aaron Maybin and Jordan Hill.

His final two seasons at Penn State he served as director of community relations and NFL liaison under then-head coach Bill O'Brien. In that role he organized scouting visits, orchestrated Pro Day, developed community service initiatives and served as the football team's liaison with admissions, compliance, housing and academics.

The Camden, N.J. native earned all-state and all-south Jersey honors at Woodrow Wilson High School, leading the team to a 15-0 record and a state championship in 2002.