Notre Dame Football: Bob Elliott Leaves Irish Staff

The Nebraska Cornhuskers have successfully enticed Brian Kelly’s special assistant to leave the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Bob Elliott, 63, is the new safeties coach on Bob Diaco’s defensive staff. Elliott and Diaco worked together at Notre Dame in 2012 and 2013.

Elliott survived a rare form of blood cancer almost 20 years ago and endured a kidney transplant during the Irish’s run to the national championship. For the past two years, he’s been involved in a player personnel decisions, game planning and defensive strategy. Kelly has credited Elliott several times for the Irish’s continued success against option teams.

“Bob Elliott has great respect throughout football for his defensive knowledge and ability as a coach, teacher and recruiter,” Nebraska coach Mike Riley said in a statement. “The experience he brings to our staff will be a great asset as we install a new defensive system and build toward the future success of the Blackshirts.”

In a statement released to media, Elliot said “the opportunity to work under Coach Riley is an unbelievable honor. His reputation in the coaching profession is second to none. When you couple that with working in a program with the tradition and history of success of Nebraska, I couldn’t be more excited.”

Elliott isn’t the only recent departure from Notre Dame’s staff. Jeff Burris ‘93, a former Irish defensive back, tweeted recently that he’s exiting his defensive analyst position. His destination has not been publicly revealed.

Burris did apply last April for the head coaching position at his former high school, Northwestern (Rock Hill, S.C.). At that time, he lacked the necessary teaching certification for the job. Burris was hired by Notre Dame in late August.