DeMatha Catholic High School football coach Elijah Brooks is leaving the Stags to join Coach Michael Locksley’s staff at the University of Maryland, NBC4 Sports has confirmed.
Brooks will serve as running backs coach for the Terps.
Brooks gave an emotional goodbye to DeMatha students Wednesday morning. He thanked the community and, fighting tears, took nearly a minute to find his words.
"I love you guys like sons. I want you guys to know that this wasn't an easy decision. I truly enjoyed coaching you, mentoring you," he said in the school's gym, in exclusive NBC4 Sports video.
#Breaking DeMatha head football coach Elijah Brooks is leaving the Stags to take over as the running backs coach at the University of Maryland. The emotional good bye to his players. @NBC4Sports @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/H8iV2F5QE5
— Sherree Burruss (@SherreeBurruss) December 12, 2018
The line of now former DeMatha players wishing coach Brooks well at UMD @NBC4Sports pic.twitter.com/thZo9DsprY
— Sherree Burruss (@SherreeBurruss) December 12, 2018
"I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you guys to death. One Dematha forever," Brooks said.
A long line of former players wished Brooks well and hugged him.
Brooks is a 2002 graduate of DeMatha, which boasts a top football program locally and nationally. The coach led DeMatha to four consecutive Washington Catholic Athletic Conference titles, from 2013 to 2016.
