Joel Elliott joined Berry College in 2022 as the program’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Under Elliott’s leadership, the Berry College Defense has been one of the best Defenses in the SAA and Nationally across the Division III landscape.
Since joining the Vikings, Elliott has developed 9 All-SAA linebackers, including 5 First Team All-SAA selections, 3 All-Region selections, and 1 All-American. The Berry Defense has also produced the SAA Defensive Player of the Year in both 2024 and 2025.
In 2025 Elliott led one of the top defenses in all of Division III. The Viking Defense only allowed 11.9 points per game, which was first in the SAA and 8th Nationally. Berry also led the SAA Conference in Rushing Defense (89.5 yards per game), 1st Downs Allowed (13.9 per game), and Tackles for Loss (7.2 per game). The Berry Defense tied for first with 11 players selected as All-SAA performers, including a league leading 5 First Team All-SAA selections. Defensive lineman Michael Clark was also selected as the Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
The Berry Defense once again led the SAA during the 2024 season. Berry finished 1st in the SAA defensively in the following categories: Scoring Defense (17.4 points per game), Yards Per Game (257), Yards Per Play (4.39), Yards Per Rush (2.84), Passing Defense (160.4 yards per game), 1st Downs Allowed (13.3 per game), 3rd Down Defense (25.4%), 4th Down Defense (30.4%), and Tackles for Loss (7.4 per game). Berry’s 3rd Down Defense was not only 1st in the SAA, but it was also 4th Nationally in Division III football. Berry was rewarded with a league leading 10 All-SAA performers and 5 First Team All-SAA performers. Defensive Back Jake Whitten was selected as the Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
In Elliott’s second season as Defensive Coordinator, the 2023 Season saw the Berry Defense improve to the best Defense in the SAA and one of the best Nationally. Berry finished 1st in the SAA Defensively in the following categories: Scoring Defense (16.3 points per game), Yards Per Game (267), Yards Per Play (4.1), Yards Per Rush (2.5), Passing Defense (174 yards per game), Interceptions (14), 1st Downs Allowed (15.1 per game), 3rd Down Defense (28.6%), and Tackles for Loss (9.2 per game). The Viking Defense finished 2nd nationally in tackles for loss, and 17th nationally in 3rd Down Defense.
Prior to Berry, Elliott spent the 2019-2021 seasons at the University of Memphis as a Defensive Graduate Assistant and a Quality Control Coach. He worked for both Mike Norvell and Ryan Silverfield. While at Memphis, Elliott was a part of the 2019 American Conference Championship team that went 12-2 and played in the Cotton Bowl. In 2021, Elliott also helped develop NFL Linebacker JJ Russell as a 1st Team All-AAC selection, who finished ninth in major college football with 123 tackles.
Before arriving at Memphis, Elliott was a Defensive graduate Assistant at Marshall University under Doc Holliday for the 2017 and 2018 seasons. While at Marshall, Elliott helped tutor NFL Linebacker Omari Cobb and contributed to a top 25 defense during the 2018 season. He was a part of two bowl wins at Marshall, the 2017 New Mexico Bowl and the 2018 Gasparilla Bowl.
Elliott started his coaching career at NCAA Division III school Wesley College. In 2014, Elliott was the defensive ends coach for head coach Mike Drass. The 2014 Wesley team went 12-2 and advanced to the NCAA D-III semifinals. After the 2014 season, Elliott was promoted to linebackers coach and was a part of playoff teams for both the 2015 and 2016 seasons.
Elliott played at Denison University for four seasons, where he was a four-year letterwinner from 2010-2013. He was a captain of the 2013 squad and was named Defensive MVP by the coaching staff and was an Honorable Mention All-North Coast Athletic Conference honoree.
