Elimimian named Clan defensive coordinator

Burnaby, BC – Simon Fraser University Clan Head Coach Jacques Chapdelaine has announced the hiring of Abe Elimimian as the program’s new defensive coordinator.

Elimimian spent the 2012 season with Division I Washington State under Head Coach Mike Leach and prior to that, he was a graduate assistant with the Southern Methodist University Mustangs under Head Coach June Jones in 2010 and 2011.

“We were looking for someone who was going to be able to come in and be a good teacher, who was going to have a great way to communicate with the young people at the college level. From that point of view, Abe was the ideal candidate in a sense that he’s had experience coaching at the college level and he brings a great deal of understanding and relevance, not only from his NFL playing experience but also from the college coaching staffs he has worked with,” said Chapdelaine.

At Washington State, he held the position of corners coach, playing an integral role in a defence that ranked fourth in the PAC-12 against the pass. That season, he coached Daniel Simons who earned honourable mention defensive back honours under Elimimian’s tutelage.

In 2012, he also held a minority internship position with the NFL’s Green Bay Packers, assisting with defensive backs and in defensive drills during practice. He was responsible for player breakdown by position and analyzing strengths and weaknesses while assisting defensive coordinator Dom Capers.

“The opportunity to work at a wonderful university and for an excellent head coach in Jacques Chapdelaine is outstanding,” said Elimimian. “From when we first spoke on the phone, I could tell he was a man of high character and high integrity and a man who knows how to win. Once I came here I found the people were outstanding, very smart and the atmosphere very welcoming.”

While at SMU, his duties included assisting the defensive secondaries and he helped SMU defensive backs Chris Banjo and Richard Crawford to all-conference honours.

“So far his communication skills with the players have proven to be very efficient and our student-athletes are finding themselves in a scheme where they can perform freely and aggressively,” continued Chapdelaine.

From 2007-09, he began his coaching career as the defensive coordinator with the Crenshaw High School Cougars, helping the Cougars to a 14-1 record, a Los Angeles City Championship and to the Open State California State Championship game. Six defensive players earned Division I scholarships under Elimimian’s coaching.

Prior to his coaching career, Elimimian played professionally with the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe in 2006 and 2007, reaching the World Bowl in 2006 while leading his team in pass breakups and special teams tackles.

He signed with the San Diego Chargers in 2005 and the Chicago Bears in 2006.

Elimimian played college football for coach June Jones at the University of Hawaii from 2000-04.

He was selected first team all-Western Athletic Conference in 2004 and set a WAC record for three interceptions in a single game, one of which was returned for a touchdown.

Elimimian ranks second in the program’s history in interceptions and won two Hawaii Bowls with the school, in 2003 and 2004.

He earned his bachelor degree in political science at Hawaii and earned a masters of liberal arts from Southern Methodist in 2012.

Elimimian is the older brother of BC Lions linebacker and 2013 CFL West Division All-Star Solomon Elimimian.

Clan spring football camp continues this week with practice scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday evening, beginning at 5:30 p.m. each day while spring scrimmage is set for Saturday afternoon on Terry Fox Field beginning at 5:00 p.m.