When the Virginia Tech football team closed out the 2025 season with a 27-7 loss at Virginia in the battle for the Commonwealth Cup last month, it began the James Franklin era in Blacksburg. There were questions as to what was going to happen with the roster in terms of retention and with the coaching.
Was Franklin to keep anyone from the previous staff who worked under Bren Pry? There was some retention by Franklin, with offensive line coach Matt Moore and wide receiver coach Fontel Mines remaining. Pry is even coming back as the defensive coordinator, the same position he held at Penn State before coming to Virginia Tech.
One coach that fans were hoping would be retained was running backs coach Elijah Brooks. However, he announced recently that he was leaving, and on Friday, it was announced where his new destination is.
Former Virginia Tech running backs coach Elijah Brooks lands at South Florida
The coaching carousel was a chaotic one this fall, with numerous jobs opening up. One open position was in South Florida when Alex Golesh left for Auburn. Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline, who was rumored for several openings that happened this cycle, landed the job in Tampa, and Brooks is going with him, according to a post on his X account.
University of South Florida! Let’s Gooo! 🤘🏾😎😤 pic.twitter.com/zTCzBp1uYF
— Elijah Brooks (@CoachEBrooks) December 26, 2025
That is a huge pickup for Hartline as Brooks did a tremendous job at Virginia Tech during this there. Bhayshul Tuten thrived under him and turned into an NFL Draft pick who is having a good rookie season with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Brooks did tremendous work this past season with Marcellous Hawkins, Terion Stewart, and freshman Jeffrey Overton, Jr. Shortly after Brooks announced he was leaving Virginia Tech, Franklin poached Norval McKenzie from Georgia Tech to come to Blacksburg. He has developed some good running backs himself and is walking into a good running backs room with the Hokies.