ELIJAH SHAAH
Defensive Coordinator
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MEET THE
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR
In the spring of 2022 Elijah Shaah accepted the position of defensive coordinator at his alma mater Siena Heights University. Immediately Elijah filled the role as linebacker’s coach and began to influence the culture of the Siena Heights Defense.
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In Shaah’s first season as defensive coordinator he began a tradition by nicknaming the defense squad “Ruff Ryders”. As a unit, the “Ruff Ryders” led the MSFA and placed 5th nationally with a YPG average of (234), 3rd nationally in rushing YPG (53.1) which both led the conference. The defense also tied 10th nationally in total sacks (36.5) and broke a combined (15) school records.
Shaah coached linebacker Kole Murlin to being the Cliff Harris Award winner for the NAIA. Along with receiving 1st Team All American honors Murlin was also named conference Defensive Player of the year.
Seven of his Saint defenders garnered All-MSFA recognition in 2022. Murlin was named Defensive Player of the Year, along with first team honors. Defensive lineman Joe Wharton, Vincent Walker, Antonio Simley, and defensive back Armand Childs also acquired first-team selections. Defensive lineman Santangho Reynolds, and linebacker Andrew McGaughy earned honorable mention honors.
Twelve of his student-athletes earned Academic All-MSFA honors, including (9) NAIA Scholar Athletes (cumulative GPA 3.5+).
In 2023 the SHU defense ranked 3rd in the MSFA in Passing YPG (175.4) and The Saints Defense led the MSFA in forced fumbles and fumbles recoveries. The 2023 SHU defense featured 4 all conference defenders.
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In 2021 at Gannon University as defensive backs coach and Pass Game Coordinator Shaah led a young defensive back core that statistically improved throughout the season. He mentored an All-PSAC selection Chris Farnsworth who led the defense with 53 solo stops and 74 total tackles.
Prior to Gannon, Shaah spent two seasons as the defensive back coach and graduate assistant at Lawrence Tech University. The team entered their first season of MSFA play this season (2018). Shaah earned his master's degree in Business Administration from LTU in 2021.
A former four-year letterwinner (2015-18), Shaah played in all 40 career games recording 125 tackles, including 18 for loss along with (6) sacks and (3) pass break-ups. Shaah started (16) games and was a part of two number one ranked defenses during his time at Siena Heights University. He also was a part of the first conference championship team in school history.
The Ypsilanti native was a 2018 academic all-conference member. He graduated from Siena Heights University in 2018 with a bachelor's degree in Sport Management.
Within 2018 Shaah served as an intern/coach and was promoted to Assistant Director of player personnel and Youth Football Director for Sound Mind Sound Body.
Before enrolling at Siena Heights University in 2014, Shaah was selected as the Ann Arbor Defensive Player of the Year, selected to the Ann Arbor Mlive.com Dream Team, All-Washtenaw Team, and the All-SEC First Team. Shaah had 47 solo tackles, 50 assists, four sacks, four forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and an interception. On special teams he blocked three punts, scored four defensive touchdowns-two on blocked punt returns and another two on fumble recoveries.
Elijah Shaahs’ Coaching Experience
2023-Current Siena Heights -Defensive Coordinator, Defensive Backs
2022-2023 Siena Heights -Defensive Coordinator, Linebackers
2021-2022 Gannon University-Defensive Backs
2019-2021 Lawrence Tech University-Defensive Backs
2018-2021 Sound Mind Sound Body-Youth Football Director/Coach
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Interviews, Videos & Pics
The SHU defense stepped up to stop the Tigers on downs for their last two possessions to ice the game. Great Win for the SHU and magnificent coaching by the new DC, Elijah Shaah.
Elijah coaching players on the sideline
Elijah Shaah, Defensive Backs Coach talks about COVID, incoming freshman and the upcoming season
