Biography
Position: Linebackers
Coach Elijah Hodge was born in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands and raised in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. He is a proud graduate of Dillard High School where he was a 4-star linebacker, Broward County Super 11 award recipient, and was elected Broward’s Defensive Player of the Year. He was selected to play in the Broward-Dade All-Star game and in the Cali-Florida Bowl. He went on to start at Middle Linebacker for The University of Wisconsin and was a two-time Academic All-Big Ten Recipient.
After graduating, Coach Hodge completed his final year of eligibility at The University of Northern Iowa; he was selected for the Missouri Valley Conference 1st team All-Newcomer Team. In 2020, Elijah became the first person in his family to obtain a Master’s Degree. He graduated from Boston College with a degree in Educational Leadership. He serves as Director of Culture, Climate, and Operations at The Haynes Early Education Center.
Prior to his current position, he served as the head football and track coach at Roxbury Prep High School in Boston, MA where he led the new program to the State playoffs in their first two seasons as a varsity program; reaching the semifinals in the second season. Under Coach Hodge’s guidance, one of his players, Arlingcove Paul, was able to obtain a full football scholarship to attend Georgetown University. Needless to say, Coach Hodge is passionate about uplifting youth and possesses a natural ability to connect with and educate young people.
In February 2021, after coaching 7v7 for 5 years and individually training linebackers for 8 years, Coach Hodge officially launched Linebacker Performance, LLC; an organization that provides technical training and comprehensive linebacker education. Coach Hodge meshes the knowledge and expertise acquired through his playing and coaching career to elevate the knowledge and performance of the linebackers he trains. Coach Hodge’s older brother is the linebacker coach at a Division 1 university. Coach Hodge was born to lead.
When he enters a room, his presence is felt and he has a way with words. Known for his infectious energy, captivating enthusiasm, and his purpose-driven passion, Coach Hodge strives to be a model gentleman and believes that you should work smart and play hard. Coach Hodge lives by the words of Frederick Douglass, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”
