According to a release from K-State Athletics, former Wildcat football assistant coach Bob Elliott, who served as co-defensive coordinator during the 2003 Big 12 Championship season, passed away on Saturday night at the age of 64.
Elliott, a 38-year coaching veteran, was the defensive coordinator for head coach Bill Snyder from 2002 to 2005. During his stay in Manhattan, Elliott helped the Cats to two 11-win seasons and the program’s first Big 12 Championship in 2003.
“I’m deeply saddened, as are the football programs here and at the University of Iowa where I first worked with him,” Snyder said. “The very sudden return of his cancer caught us all by surprise. Bobby was a wonderful and caring person, family man, coach and friend. He will be sorely missed by all of his players and fellow coaches. His wife Joey and his father Bump (director of Athletics during my ten years at Iowa) along with his children and mother Barb, deceased, were the loves of his life. Such a painful time for each of them and our heartfelt sympathy, prayers and support is with them now and forever. And I know that the Wildcat Nation would want me to share the same feelings with the Elliott family. God bless each and all of them. He will be profoundly missed.”
His Wildcat defenses allowed an average of 111.6 rushing yards and 194.1 passing yards per game over his four-year tenure. The 2002 defense led the nation in scoring defense, was second in total defense and rushing defense and third in pass efficiency defense. That unit featured cornerback Terence Newman, who was the recipient of the 2002 Jim Thorpe Award. The 2003 defense ranked in the top 10 nationally in total defense, pass defense, and scoring defense.
Elliott was hired as a defensive analyst at Nebraska this past winter and remained active with the program until May. He coached for nine different football programs during his lengthy career, including more than a decade at Iowa, his alma mater.
In 2012, Elliott helped coach Notre Dame to a BCS championship game appearance.
