"I'm just focused on being the best defensive line coach I can be. I wanna be the best in the world at coaching defensive line, and I'm committed to that craft." There are few words that a fan of any team in the NFL can be happier to hear than these when they tune in to a positional coach's press appearance.
Elston, who is now 51, worked with Jim Harbaugh during his tenure at Michigan, and followed the coach to Los Angeles to join his staff in the NFL. Since joining Harbaugh's staff in LA, Elston has consistently produced a solid product along the defensive line.
Whether it's been bringing about resurgent careers for veterans along the line or helping younger players develop, he's been a good positional coach. Having Elston in place to develop a first round defensive line selection will no doubt only allow him to form the line in his vision with even more precision. With Elston's coaching, the Chargers are poised to have one of the scariest defensive lines in the league this year, and, by extension, the world.
Will Elston's unit bring this team over the hump?
While Elston's openness about his desire to stay under Harbaugh should be celebrated by Charger fans, don't take it as a sign that he'll be staying just in the role of defensive line coach. While Chris O'Leary returned to LA as defensive coordinator this offseason, coordinators tend to be hot commodities in the league when tied to good units, and O'Leary could be seeing interviews as soon as next summer. Elston very well might be a potential defensive coordinator down the line should Harbaugh see another DC poached.
Elston didn't just talk about his prospects as defensive coordinator during his press appearance, though. He also discussed some of focuses of his coaching along the defensive line, mentioning Tart lining up wider as well as talking about the potential for more rotational packages along the line.
With Elston reaffirming his commitment to this Chargers defensive line, fans should be excited that it seems the only promotion he'll take is one under Harbaugh. If the Chargers make a serious push this season, Elston might have Mesidor in defensive rookie of the year discussions, and the defensive line might really be looking like the best in the world.
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