David Elson Expected to Join Jeff Brohm's Louisville Staff as Defensive Assistant

Multiple sources reported that David Elson is expected to join Jeff Brohm’s Louisville staff as a defensive assistant, a development that reunites the veteran coach with Brohm after their time together at Purdue and adds a seasoned defensive voice to Louisville’s staff. The report, published Feb. 3, 2026, describes the hiring as “is expected to join Jeff Brohm’s Louisville staff as a defensive assistant.”

Elson’s résumé spans 31 years of collegiate coaching and a rare mix of FCS, FBS, NAIA, Power Five support roles, and head-coaching experience. He was head coach at Western Kentucky from 2003 to 2009, compiling a 39-43 record. Elson’s early Hilltopper tenure included back-to-back 9-win seasons and two NCAA Division I-AA playoff appearances; his run closed with a 2-10 season as an FBS independent and an 0-12 season in WKU’s first Sun Belt year. Since then, Elson’s stops have included FCS defensive coordinator roles at Southern Illinois and Western Illinois, two seasons as New Mexico State defensive coordinator, Ball State from 2017-19, the 2020 season calling the defense at Marian (NAIA - IN), and support roles with Indiana and in the ACC and Big Ten.

Most recently, Elson worked in West Lafayette on Jeff Brohm’s Purdue staff in 2021 as a quality control coach and in 2022 as linebackers coach, and two seasons as a defensive analyst at Wake Forest followed. Indiana State coach Curt Mallory confirmed that Elson joined Mallory’s staff earlier this month and was moved into Indiana State’s defensive coordinator role for the 2025 season. That ISU move came amid staff turnover after longtime assistant Brad Wilson left for South Florida under Alex Golesh; Indiana State also announced new hires John Bear (offensive coordinator / quarterbacks), Jalen Banks (running backs), Tito Overton (wide receivers), and Austin Flyger (defensive line).

For Louisville, adding Elson - even in a source-described defensive assistant capacity - carries practical and cultural weight. Elson’s range of experience as a former FCS head coach turned FBS assistant gives Jeff Brohm access to a coach who understands roster building at multiple levels, scheme transitions, and linebacker play at the Power Five level. Elson’s prior on-field work with Purdue linebackers is captured in a photo from Aug. 8, 2022 at Ross-Ade Stadium credited to photographer Noe Padilla, underscoring the Brohm connection.

The move also reflects broader industry trends: veteran FCS coaches with coordinator and head-coach resumes are increasingly valuable to FBS staffs seeking recruiting ties in the Midwest and defensive schematic versatility. For Indiana State, the report raises immediate questions about continuity; sources did not provide details on any formal resignation or timing if Elson moves to Louisville.

Expect official confirmation and job specifics to follow from Louisville or Elson. If finalized, the hire would be another example of the coaching carousel blurring FCS-FBS lines and of established head-coaching experience being repurposed into specialist roles that strengthen staffs and recruiting pipelines.