Louisville Adds David Elson to Defensive Staff

Veteran coach with over 30 years of experience joins Cardinals

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The University of Louisville has hired David Elson as a defensive assistant coach. Elson brings over 30 years of collegiate coaching experience, including seven seasons as the head coach at Western Kentucky University and most recently serving as the defensive coordinator at Indiana State.

Why it matters

Elson's extensive defensive coaching background and previous head coaching experience should provide valuable expertise to the Louisville coaching staff as they look to improve on the defensive side of the ball.

The details

Elson arrives at Louisville following one season at Indiana State. Prior to that, he spent two seasons at Wake Forest as a defensive analyst, and two years at Purdue, serving as a quality control coach in 2021 and coaching linebackers in 2022. Elson has also coordinated defenses at multiple programs, including Western Illinois, Southern Illinois, New Mexico State, and Western Kentucky, where he helped lead the Hilltoppers to the FCS National Championship as defensive coordinator in 2002.

  • Elson was hired by Louisville on February 10, 2026.

The players

David Elson

A veteran coach with more than 30 years of collegiate coaching experience, including seven seasons as the head coach at Western Kentucky University.

Jeff Brohm

The head coach of the University of Louisville football team.

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What they’re saying

“David Elson brings a wealth of defensive coaching experience to our staff, and we're excited to have him join our program.”

— Jeff Brohm, Head Coach (University of Louisville)

What’s next

Elson will begin his duties with the Louisville coaching staff immediately, as the team prepares for the upcoming 2026 season.

The takeaway

The addition of David Elson to the Louisville coaching staff brings a seasoned defensive mind with a proven track record of success, which should help the Cardinals improve on that side of the ball in the coming season.