David Elson

Who is David Elson?

David Elson is an American football coach who is currently secondary coach for the Southern Illinois Salukis. Between 2003–2009 Elson was head coach of the WKU Hilltoppers football program representing Western Kentucky University. Elson oversaw the transition of WKU from a Football Championship Subdivision to a Football Bowl Subdivision program, the highest division in college football; in his final season, the Hilltoppers joined the Sun Belt.

Elson joined the Hilltoppers staff as a defensive backs coach in 1996. He served as defensive coordinator for the 2001 and 2002 season before he was promoted to head coach. The rise to college football's highest level was difficult for the program, and Hilltoppers went 2-20 in Elson's final two seasons.

On November 9, 2009 Elson was fired by the university, finishing out the 2009 season. WKU alumnus and Stanford running backs coach Willie Taggart replaced him.

In March 2010, Indiana University head football coach Bill Lynch announced that Elson will be a defensive quality control coach. Coach Lynch noted this would mainly be an administrative role, but that he would be involved in coaching decisions. The Hoosiers made their first road trip of the year to play Elson's former team, the WKU Hilltoppers in Bowling Green, Kentucky.