Chesapeake Promotes Rob Elliot To Varsity Post

Elliot Plans To Bring Change, Experience To Cougar Football

By Amy Russell
On Friday, February 18, Athletic Director Chip Snyder announced former junior varsity head coach Rob Elliot will take over Chesapeake High School’s varsity football program as head coach. Elliot, who has been with the junior varsity team for two years, has already proven he can produce change.

When Elliot joined the junior varsity squad, the team had just completed a 3-7 season. In his first year, Elliot led Chesapeake to a 5-5 record, before the team saw its first winning season in over a decade last fall finishing 6-4.
Somewhat of an icon in Chesapeake area athletics, Elliot is probably best known for his role in youth league football. Ten years ago he started the Panthers football program and he’s been running it ever since.
“Rob Elliot comes highly recommended by the community,” said Snyder. “He facilitated the Panther’s football program and then we got him to come here as the JV coach. He’s been highly successful and the community loves him. They have followed him from the Panthers to see the success he has had with our JV program. That’s the kind of attitude and success we need to carry over to the varsity.”
Having graduated from Chesapeake High School during a peak time in the football program, Elliot is looking forward to perpetuating a similar tradition. “It’s a huge honor to go back and coach where you played,” Elliot said. “My senior year was the first winning season in school history.”
And there’s only been one other winning season since. “My goal is to come in and take the program in a new direction,” Elliot confirms.
In order to see change, Elliot knows you have to make change. So with his installment comes a fresh new coaching staff. “He’s retained a couple of coaches from the previous staff, but no one has the same assignment they had last year, he’s totally switched it up,” said Snyder.
In addition, he’s already brought in coaches from other programs, including Broadneck and the Panthers. It’s apparent Elliot is ready to jump into the varsity position and use his experience to the program’s benefit.
“Obviously it’s an advantage to know what type of players we have to work with. It will allow us to put a system in place to maximize the talent,” said Elliot, adding, “Our goal is to have one system for the middle school kids up to the high school so we’re building a true feeder program. This way, kids in sixth, seventh and eighth grade will have a good idea of what to expect when they get to the high school level.”
Confidence in Elliot runs high in the school’s administration and the community as well. “We have high hopes for him to turn this thing around,” said Snyder. “This school really needs the football team to be successful… We know the community would be so receptive and supportive.”
Elliot’s work ethic and passion are what really impress those who know him. “He’s one of the most intense guys I’ve ever met and that filters down to the kids who should feed off it,” explains Snyder.
The same qualities Snyder sees in Elliot are the ones Elliot says he hopes to instill in the athletes. “We are going to be built upon the principles of work ethic, dedication and team work,” said Elliot. “We’ll strive to be a power running football team, with a multiple front defense, and we’ll rely heavily on the blitz to attack the opponent.”
This fall, Elliot’s goal is to see the team reach .500. “We’d like to put ourselves in a position to challenge for a playoff spot,” said Elliot. In the meantime, the coaches plan to “fill the weight room in the off season, and get the kids bigger and stronger.”