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Bob Elliott was more than a coach to those he instructed for 37 of the past 41 years. The former Notre Dame Fighting Irish safeties coach was a gentle spirit, a father figure, a caring friend and a master motivator.
His players and colleagues have taken to social media today to remember Elliott, who died Saturday night at the age of 64. The Iowa City native was under the care of Hospice at the time of his passing.
Want proof of Elliott’s reach beyond his regular responsibilities? Look how many offensive players tweeted remembrances of him, despite Elliott spending almost his entire career on the opposite side of the ball.
To the man who's heart was always far too big for his body, Thank You. You changed my life and I am forever grateful. #CoachElliot pic.twitter.com/OEwWWgsP9W
— Matthias Farley (@MatthiasFarley) July 9, 2017
Greg Sharpe, radio play-by-play announcer for the Nebraska Cornhuskers:
Sad to hear of the passing of Husker coach Bob Elliott. Thoughts and prayers go out to the Elliott family. RIP
— Greg Sharpe (@SharpeGreg) July 9, 2017
Rest In Peace Coach Elliott , Thank You For Everything ☝ https://t.co/mggWrS0JJE
— MyKelti D. Williams (@_TheRealKelti_) July 9, 2017
God's getting one hell of a ball coach. Thank you Coach Elliot for everything. You'll forever be a friend of the nation. Rest in paradise. pic.twitter.com/PCfrmcRkTa
— Notre Dame Walk Ons (@WOPUnation) July 9, 2017
Thankyou Coach Elliot, you were always there to pick me up whenever I struggled. You saw more in me than I saw in myself at times. Rest well https://t.co/OyIIQWBSkb
— Nyles Morgan (@nylesmorgan_5) July 9, 2017
RIP BobbyE and Thank you for your Friendship and Guidance. God's Luv and Peace to Joey and your Family. #BallCoach pic.twitter.com/crQPONqq5k
— Mike Denbrock (@MikeDenbrock) July 9, 2017
Today the ND community lost one of the kindest, loving, thoughtful coaches I've ever had. Thank you Coach Elliot for everything.
— Jesse Bongiovi (@JesseBND) July 9, 2017
In Memory of Bob Elliott https://t.co/lVoDPSBSi7
— The Iowa Hawkeyes (@TheIowaHawkeyes) July 9, 2017
#RestInPeace Coach Elliott a lot of people won't understand the impact you had on the lives of so many young men. You will be missed
— Devin Butler (@DevinButler_12) July 9, 2017
Coach E, your legacy as a football coach and as a man is unrivaled. I’ll always cherish the QB meetings of 2015. This photo says it all. RIP pic.twitter.com/YkYrFOd9Lz
— Coach Mike Sanford (@CoachSanfordWKU) July 9, 2017
His calling on Earth was to recognize and inspire the greatness of others, and he did so using football as his ministry. R.I.P. Coach ~ pic.twitter.com/tnDaedbgJK
— Daelin Hayes (@DaelinHayes_IX) July 9, 2017
Today we lost Bob Elliott, a genuine and caring coach. Few people have advocated for me like he did. Cannot thank him enough. Rest In Peace.
— Nolan Henry (@Nolan_Henry17) July 9, 2017
Today Notre Dame Football lost an incredible Coach, Mentor, Leader and Friend. You'll be gone but never forgotten. Rest In Peace Coach ☘️ pic.twitter.com/SrtoUyFcUJ
— Scott Daly (@sdaly61) July 9, 2017
Senior defensive back Nick Watkins:
A man who always believed in me through all of my ups and downs was lost today. A true… https://t.co/3KTLNf6SAA
— #NotreJuice™ - N.C.W (@WhippinTheNick_) July 9, 2017
RIP coach Elliot you had a positive impact on everyone you interacted with!
— CJ Sanders (@TheLifeofCeej) July 9, 2017
RIP Coach E, you will be greatly missed, thank you for all that you did for me and my teammates over the years!
— Mark Harrell (@MarkHarrell_75) July 9, 2017
You moved lives in a direction that not many others today still can. You're missed and loved by all. RIP Coach BobbyE pic.twitter.com/dyuXdt4mSt
— Brandon Wimbush (@WimbushB7) July 9, 2017
Jasmine Johnson, Notre Dame football coordinator of on-campus recruiting:
He lived the same way he coached: with passion, love, and laughter. RIP to a great man. You will be greatly missed BobbyE #gonetoosoon pic.twitter.com/tjmhGOEhxN
— Jaz Johnson (@JazJohnsoND) July 9, 2017
Thank you for everything Coach E
— Scott Booker (@CoachSBooker) July 9, 2017
Ur example/friendship meant more to me than u know
I want to thank your wife Joey for sharing you with us pic.twitter.com/9U3ZSEkYxj
RIP coach Elliot. Kindest most loving person I ever met. Grateful to have had you around during my time at ND. I'll never forget.
— DaVaris Daniels (@SincerelyToot) July 9, 2017
RIP Coach Elliot
— Corey Holmes (@coreyholmes4) July 9, 2017
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Bob Elliott. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bob’s wife Joey, and his entire family. pic.twitter.com/rVrPdLbLNQ
— Mike Riley (@Coach_Riley) July 9, 2017
When nobody had faith in me you did. I remember crying in your office & u helped me pull through. Look over us & Rest In Peace Coach Elliot
— Avery Sebastian (@JimThqrpe4) July 9, 2017
Rest In Peace coach Elliott! #TheLegend
— Jay Hayes (@JayHayesNY) July 9, 2017
Rest in Love Coach Elliot! The lessons and inspiration that you gave me as well as many others are unforgettable. You are 4ever remembered!
— Malik Zaire (@MalikZaire8) July 9, 2017
Football is family.
— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFBNation) July 9, 2017
You quickly became a part of ours.
Our thoughts are with yours.
RIP Coach Elliott. #GBRAlways pic.twitter.com/FQvfkElzX8
Football is family.
— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFBNation) July 9, 2017
You quickly became a part of ours.
Our thoughts are with yours.
RIP Coach Elliott. #GBRAlways pic.twitter.com/FQvfkElzX8
Success as a coach is defined by the impact you leave on others. Coach Elliott left a legacy that we all aim to have https://t.co/dICtbFggeO
— Matt Campbell (@ISUMattCampbell) July 9, 2017
Mike Riley and Bob Diaco comment on the passing of Bob Elliott. pic.twitter.com/GdmXCwK6C8
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) July 9, 2017
Diaco, like Elliott, played for the Iowa Hawkeyes, coached there and later coached together at Notre Dame (and briefly, with the Nebraska Cornhuskers before Elliott’s death).
Coach Elliott will be missed immensely. He was an amazing person..smart, principled, tough & very kind. Enjoyed every minute spent with him. https://t.co/gCltS4MSXC
— Shawn Eichorst (@BigRedAD) July 9, 2017
Coach E was the best. We love him and will miss him greatly. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Joey, and the rest of the family. pic.twitter.com/eLtHCVqnwK
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) July 9, 2017
God just got a hell of a football coach, and an even better man. 140 characters just wouldn't do it justice. RIP Coach Elliott. pic.twitter.com/lzIM89ZMY4
— Alex Wilcox (@AlexWilcoxWNDU) July 9, 2017
Rest easy Coach Elliott. You were someone that always had our backs and cared about our success. Much love. You will be missed!
— Caleb Lightbourn (@4th_n_10) July 9, 2017
Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly on the passing of former Irish assistant coach Bob Elliott... pic.twitter.com/nzH0VSfms8
— Michael Bertsch (@NDsidBertschy) July 9, 2017
My heart is heavy in learning of Bob Elliott's passing. A man of character and integrity. I was truly blessed to have him in my life. #RIP
— Reggie Brooks (@RegBrooks40) July 9, 2017
Rest In Peace, Coach Elliott. Thank you for being an outstanding coach and mentor for countless #Cyclones. pic.twitter.com/5Qf0bq6HuK
— Cyclone Football (@CycloneFB) July 9, 2017
Saddened by the new of the passing of Coach Bob Elliott. Such a genuine coach who took the time to invest in others! You will be missed. pic.twitter.com/LegjxJfAhI
— Coach JR Sandlin (@JR_Sandlin) July 9, 2017
Former Notre Dame linebacker and current Los Angeles Chargers player James Onwualu:
I'm going to miss you, but I know you will be watching over us in love. Rest in Peace Coach E.. ☘️ pic.twitter.com/1roPLTqNl1
— Drue Tranquill (@d_TraNquill) July 9, 2017
“Words can’t quite describe how good of a man he was.” - @SageRosenfels18 on Bob Elliott https://t.co/NxcFmCMay0
— Erin Sorensen (@erinsorensen) July 9, 2017
Statements from Iowa AD Gary Barta and coach Kirk Ferentz on Bob Elliott: pic.twitter.com/1zW85K78T6
— Dr. Saturday (@YahooDrSaturday) July 9, 2017
The person who made my dream a reality... definition of what it means to be a great teacher and a better man. RIP Coach Elliott
— Kier Murphy (@kpmurph01) July 9, 2017
Rest in peace coach Elliott. Im very fortunate to have had the opportunity to get to know you. https://t.co/ystUkGybYe
— JD Spielman (@jdspielman10) July 9, 2017
Bob Elliott was one of the smartest and classiest coaches I have ever met. I will miss him a greatly.
— Jack Nolan (@NDJackNolan) July 9, 2017
Thank you for those conversations we had Coach Elliott! RIP to a great human being.
— Keyshawn Jr. (@keyshawnnnn) July 9, 2017
Rest In Peace coach Elliott. One of the best coaches to be around and I know everyone that was coached by him absolutely loved him.
— Kapron Lewis-Moore (@KLM_89) July 10, 2017
The way players have spoken about Bob Elliott today is a great reminder of the positive influence a special coach can have on young people!
— Brian Polian (@BrianPolian) July 10, 2017