Alumni Hall of Fame
Athletic Achievement (2021)

Mike Elston is a member of the Memorial High School Class of 1993. Elston was an outstanding three sport star athlete at Memorial in football, basketball, and track and field. After graduating, Elston excelled as a football player for the University of Michigan Wolverines, and went on to a successful college football coaching career that continues today at the University of Notre Dame.

In track and field, Elston was a four-year letter winner. He competed in discus at the Ohio High School State Track Meet all four years in high school. In 1990 through 1993, he placed fifth, third, second, and fourth in the state, with throws of 146'-2", 162'-7", 173'-5" and 177'-0", respectively. In 1992, the Roughrider track team won the Western Buckeye League championship.

In basketball, Elston was a four-year letter winner under head coach Jeff Johnides. Elston was only the second player in league history to be a three time First Team All-Western Buckeye League selection. In 1993, his senior year, Elston and the Roughriders amassed the best record in school history with a 21-6 season. The Roughriders won Sectional, Division, and Regional Championship in 1993, and earned the school's first trip to the Ohio High School Boys' Basketball Final Four. In the Final Four, the Riders would fall to University of Louisville bound Samaki Walker and the White-Hall Yearling High School Rams. In his career, Elston averaged 10.6 points per game, 9.5 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 assists per game. This consistent performance earned him a place on the District 8 All Star Team in 1991, 1992, and 1993. It also earned him All-Northwest Ohio honors in 1992 and 1993. In 1993, Elston participated in the District 8 All Star Game and the Indiana / Ohio 6 County All Star Game. He also volunteered all four years of high school with the "Little Rider" Basketball Program helping little boys in the St. Marys community develop their basketball skills.

On the gridiron under legendary head football coach Eugene L. "Skip" Baughman and his staff, Mike Elston was an absolute force to be reckoned with in every facet of the game, offensively, defensively, and special teams. He was a three-year letter winner who helped lead his teams to Western Buckeye League Championships in 1990, 1991, and 1992 and two Ohio High School Athletic Association Division II Football State Championships in 1990 and 1992. Elston still maintains the longest interception return in Ohio High School football playoff history with his 90 yard return against Columbus St. Francis DeSales in the 1990 season. His senior year, he had 1,204 yard in rushing on 154 carries which averaged to 7.8 yards per carry, caught 10 passes for 150 yards, had 6 interceptions for 158 yards, scored 86 points, and averaged 40 yards per punt. It was performances like this, that led to him being named All - Western Buckeye League offense and defense in 1991 and 1992, Western Buckeye League Defensive Back of the Year in 1992, All-Northwest Ohio Defensive Back in 1991 and 1992, and All-Ohio Defensive Back in 1991 and 1992. As well, Mike played in the North-South Ohio All Star Game, and the Big 33 Ohio-Pennsylvania All Star Game in the Summer of 1993.

As a two time Prep All-American, Mike Elston attended the University of Michigan from 1993-1997 and played as an outside linebacker. He was a three-time letter winner and was part of the Lloyd Carr led 1997 National Championship University of Michigan Wolverine football team. Mike graduated from the University of Michigan in 1998 with a Bachelor's Degree in Sports Management and Communications and he is currently at the University of Notre Dame.

After graduating from Michigan, Mike Elston started a very successful coaching career in college football that continues today. Mike really launched his coaching rocket when he became associated with Brian Kelly at Eastern Michigan University. Coach Kelly was a rising star among college head football coaches. A trusted and respected assistant, Mike has traveled with Coach Kelly from Eastern Michigan to Central Michigan to the University of Cincinnati, and currently at the University of Notre Dame. Elston currently serves as the Defensive Run Game Coordinator and Recruiting Coordinator and has coached special teams, tight ends, linebackers, and currently the defensive line at Notre Dame. Elston has coached 12 National Football League draftees, and has coached in one BCS Championship game. He has been part of teams that participated in major bowls games, such as the Alamo, Citrus, Fiesta, Outback, Rose, and Sugar, Bowls.



Elston is a highly respected assistant football coach at the collegiate level, and has had numerous opportunities to advance his career. He has chosen to remain loyal to Brian Kelly and the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish football program. Mike has also considered the well-being of his high school sweetheart and wife, Beth (née Broyles), and their three daughters, Olivia, Sophia, and Isabella, in any career decisions. They have created a real family atmosphere for his Notre Dame Football players, which is a credit to all the Elstons and what they truly value. For his athletic and coaching excellence at the high school and collegiate levels, the St. Marys Memorial High School Alumni Foundation inducts Mike Elston into the St. Marys Memorial High School Alumni Foundation Hall of Fame for Athletic Achievement.

The above text, in its entirety, is embossed on a St. Marys Memorial High School Alumni Hall of Fame plaque permanently on display in Memorial High School.

Listen to the late "Big Ralph" Guarnieri's breathless play call
with Joe Hurlburt on WKKI-FM of Mike Elston's interception
(officially 90 yards) in the 1990 Div. II State Championship Game.
Opens new tab. "They're 15 yards away from taking the lead..."