Elijah Robinson, who served as Syracuse football's defensive coordinator each of the past two seasons, is returning to College Station, Texas.
Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko announced on Monday that Robinson has been hired as the Aggies' co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach. A huge congrats to Elijah, and we appreciate all that he did in his two campaigns on the Hill.
This past Saturday, No. 7 seed Texas A&M hosted No. 10 seed and fellow Atlantic Coast Conference school Miami in the first round of the 12-team College Football Playoff. The Hurricanes prevailed in a defensive slugfest, 10-3, ending the Aggies' 2025 season at 11-2 overall.
Syracuse football's assistant coaching staff has undergone a big overhaul.
In recent weeks, chatter has surfaced about multiple teams showing some level of interest in hiring Robinson, including LSU, Nebraska, Penn State and Texas A&M. While he had been the Orange's defensive coordinator the past two seasons, the 'Cuse defense mightily struggled in 2025, as Syracuse football went 3-9 overall.
In early December, head coach Fran Brown, a long-time close friend of Robinson's dating back to their childhood together in Camden, N.J., announced several key staff changes. One was that Robinson was being demoted to co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach.
— Coach E. Rob (@Coach_E_Rob) December 22, 2025
Following that news, many Orange fans speculated that Robinson, an excellent recruiter, would ultimately move on from the 'Cuse, and he has, returning to Texas A&M. Previously, he was with the Aggies for six years in various roles, such as defensive line coach, run game coordinator, co-defensive coordinator, assistant head coach and interim head coach for three games after Jimbo Fisher was fired.
Brown has hired former Toledo defensive coordinator Vince Kehres as the Orange's new DC. Georgia State defensive line coach and assistant head coach Jeremy Hawkins is reportedly joining Syracuse football as its defensive line coach, 247Sports has reported.
Additionally, long-time college and NFL coach Juan Castillo has joined Syracuse football as its offensive line coach. Most recently, he was an offensive analyst at Michigan. More staff announcements at the 'Cuse will likely come soon.