ELIJAH SHAAH
Assistant Head Coach
Defensive Coordinator
MEET THE
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR
Elijah Shaah, a native of Ypsilanti, Michigan, is one of the rising defensive minds in college football and a proud alumnus of Siena Heights University. He returned to his alma mater in the spring of 2022 as Defensive Coordinator, bringing energy, discipline, and a new defensive identity to the Saints’ program.
Shaah has coached collegiately for six seasons, including experience at Siena Heights, Gannon University, and Lawrence Technological University. In three seasons leading the Saints’ defense, his units have consistently ranked among the top defenses in the Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) and have been recognized nationally for their performance, physicality, and culture. Upon taking over the Siena Heights defense, Shaah created the “Ruff Ryders” identity, emphasizing toughness, accountability, and relentless pursuit. The results were immediate.
In 2022, his first season as Defensive Coordinator, the “Ruff Ryders” ranked 5th nationally in total defense (234 YPG), 3rd nationally in rushing defense (53.1 YPG), and 10th nationally in total sacks (36.5)—all leading marks in the MSFA. The defense broke 15 school records and set the tone for a new era of Siena Heights football.
Linebacker Kole Murlin captured the Cliff Harris Award (NAIA’s top small-college defender), earned First Team All-American honors, and was named MSFA Defensive Player of the Year. Seven defenders earned All-MSFA honors, while twelve players were recognized as Academic All-MSFA, including nine NAIA Scholar-Athletes.
In 2023, Shaah guided the third-youngest defense in the MSFA, which became one of the most opportunistic units in the conference. The “Ruff Ryders” led the league in forced fumbles and fumble recoveries and finished third in pass defense. Siena Heights closed the season with a 4–1 record over its final five games, surrendering just 18 points per game during that span. Defensive end Joe Wharton tied the program’s all-time sacks record, and four players earned All-Conference recognition, including First Team cornerback Shamar Askin.
The 2024 Siena Heights defense built upon that foundation, finishing 2nd in the MSFA in passing defense (175.4 YPG), 3rd in rushing defense (124.8 YPG), and 1st in the conference (11th nationally) in third-down defense. Five players earned All-MSFA honors, highlighted by First Team selection Shamar Askin and Second Team linebackers Tanner Rubinstein and Clarke Hamilton. Academically, sixteen defenders earned Academic All-MSFA recognition, including nine NAIA Scholar-Athletes.
Prior to Siena Heights, Shaah served as Defensive Backs Coach and Pass Game Coordinator at Gannon University in 2021. He developed an improving young secondary that produced All-PSAC selection Chris Farnsworth, who led the team with 53 solo tackles and 74 total stops.
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Shaah began his collegiate coaching career at Lawrence Technological University (2019–21) as Defensive Backs Coach and Graduate Assistant, helping guide the team through its first seasons of MSFA play. He earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from LTU in 2021.
A former four-year letterwinner at Siena Heights (2015–18), Shaah appeared in all 40 career games and totaled 125 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, and 3 pass breakups. He started sixteen games and was a key member of two #1-ranked defenses and Siena Heights’ first conference championship team. He graduated in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management and was an Academic All-Conference selection.
Shaah began his football coaching career in 2018 with Sound Mind Sound Body Football, where he served as Assistant Director of Player Personnel and Youth Football Director after completing his playing career.
As a high school standout in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Shaah was named Ann Arbor Defensive Player of the Year, earned All-State, All-SEC, and Dream Team honors, and led his team with 97 tackles, 4 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and 4 defensive touchdowns.
Elijah Shaahs’ Coaching Experience
2024-2025 Siena Heights -Assistant Head Coach/ Defensive Coordinator/ Defensive Backs
2022-2023 Siena Heights -Defensive Coordinator, Linebackers
2021-2022 Gannon University-Defensive Backs/Pass Game Coordinator
2019-2021 Lawrence Tech University-Defensive Backs/GRad Assistant
2018-2021 Sound Mind Sound Body-Youth Football Director/Coach
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DEFENSE 2022-2025
#1 Total Defense in MSFA Conference
#2 Pass Defense in MSFA Conference
#2 Rush Defense in MSFA Conference
1 Cliff Harris Award
3 All Americans
23 All Conference
29 School Records
Interviews, Videos & Pics
The SHU defense stepped up to stop the Tigers on downs for their last two possessions to ice the game. Great Win for the SHU and magnificent coaching by the new DC, Elijah Shaah.
Elijah coaching players on the sideline
Elijah Shaah, Defensive Backs Coach talks about COVID, incoming freshman and the upcoming season
