This week’s Homecoming game against Texas A&M is loaded with extra incentives for the Cyclones. For ISU Associate Head Coach Bob Elliott, this will be his first Homecoming in Ames in nearly twenty years.

Elliott’s first stint as an ISU coach was under Donnie Duncan, in the 1981-82 seasons. Under Duncan, Elliott’s secondary led the Big Eight in pass defense and produced two future professional football players.

Before coming to Ames, Elliott was a defensive back and academic all-American for Iowa where he lettered three times and was a roommate, as well as teammate, of ISU Head Coach Dan McCarney.

After their playing days were over, both went on to become graduate assistants for the Hawkeyes.

From there Elliott went on to coach the Kent State secondary in 1977, before a three-year stay at Ball State as its defensive coordinator. His 1978 Ball State secondary led the nation in scoring defense.

Then, on McCarney’s recommendation, Elliott came to Iowa State and Coach Duncan’s staff. After his brief stint in Ames, Elliott moved on to North Carolina where he coached wide receivers and tight ends from 1983-87.

1987 marked the year that Elliott would return to the University of Iowa and legendary coach Hayden Fry’s staff. While in Iowa City, Elliott coached some of the nation’s best secondaries from 1987-95, before taking a year off in 1995 to serve as the executive director for the University of Iowa’s Alumni Association.

Elliott again returned to coaching in 1996, this time being appointed as the Hawkeye’s defensive coordinator. He served there until 1998, when things took an unexpected turn in Elliott’s life.

Before the 1999 season began, Elliott was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder – polycythemia vera – which causes the body to produce too many blood cells.

“It was an experience that a lot of people go through – the type where you’re really faced with a tough crisis in your life. I was able to overcome that, and come back stronger for it. And I think that’s the case in most instances like that; whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” Elliott said.

Following a 32-day stay in the hospital, Elliott returned to work, this time as an assistant to Iowa Athletic Director Bob Bowlsby.

It’s been a long road back to Ames for Elliott, but he has arrived just in time to coach ISU’s secondary and special teams back to respectability. He has also made an immediate impact as a recruiter, and the all-around respect for Elliott as a coach nationwide has helped to attract some of the nation’s best position coaches to Ames.

“I’m glad to be back coaching. I’m having a lot of fun here and I really like the [players] here. It’s just been an all-around great experience,” Elliott said.

As for staying a little longer in Ames this time, Elliott isn’t thinking too far ahead,

“I’m just going one day at a time and I don’t think one more day down the road than I have to,” he said. “I’ve made it through the hard part, and now things are better.”